Congressional Resolution Recognizes Prevention of Mental Illness Among Youth Should be Public Health Priority

  Mental Health America's Inaugural Promotion and Prevention Summit to Advance New Strategies 

Contact: Steve Vetzner, (703) 797-2588 or svetzner@mentalhealthamerica.net

ALEXANDRIA, VA. (May 22, 2008)-A resolution introduced in the House of Representatives on Wednesday calls attention to the need to make prevention of mental disorders and substance abuse among young people and the promotion of their mental health and wellness a public health priority.

The resolution, which was introduced by U.S. Representatives Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Mary Bono Mack (R-CA), underscores the important issues and strategies that will be addressed next month at Mental Health America's Inaugural Promotion and Prevention Summit.

The resolution expresses the sense of the House that mental health and substance abuse disorders among children, youth and young adults are major threats to health and well-being and often carry over into adulthood.  And it states that no other illnesses damage so many children so seriously. 

"We applaud U.S. Reps. Tammy Baldwin and Mary Bono Mack for introducing a resolution that highlights the importance of preventing mental disorders and substance abuse among children and adolescents," said David L. Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America.

"This resolution is an important step in recognizing that while there are well-researched mental health promotion and prevention practices that can impede the onset of devastating mental disorders or reduce their severity, these important advances have not been widely implemented.  The prevention of mental disorders must be a public health priority."

The Summit, which will take place June 6 and 7 during Mental Health America's 2008 Conference, will be attended by mental health experts, advocates, organizations and researchers committed to advancing a promotion and prevention agenda to drive down the tragically high rates and profound impact of mental health and substance use conditions in the United States.

It will bring together the foremost leaders in the field to explore the latest in promotion and prevention science and set a course for promoting wellness in individuals, communities and the nation at large. 

For more information on the Inaugural Promotion and Prevention Summit, including agenda, speakers and registration, please visit http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/annualconference/summit.html.      

Mental Health America is the country's leading nonprofit dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives.  With our more than 320 affiliates nationwide, we represent a growing movement of Americans who promote mental wellness for the health and well-being of the nation - everyday and in times of crisis.

###