Mental Health America Establishes Regional Policy Council To Strengthen State Advocacy Work

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

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (July 1, 2009)-Mental Health America today announced the establishment of a Regional Policy Council made up of 10 affiliate policy leaders from around the country to strengthen its state advocacy work.

Each member of the council will work with Mental Health America's Advocacy and State Policy Department and Mental Health America's Board and Public Policy Committee to strengthen relationships with and between affiliates, and communicate with the national office and affiliates regarding policy priorities, advocacy activities, and technical assistance and training needs. 

"We know that our strength as an organization is in the wonderful work our affiliates are doing around the country, and we hope the Regional Policy Council will be a vehicle for sharing the promising programs, policies, and strategies being utilized to bring about positive change," said David Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America. 

Listed below are the state affiliate policy leaders who will serve on the Regional Policy Council for 2009 and the areas they will represent.  (The 10 regions coincide with those established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.)

Regions 1 & 2 - Barbara Johnston, Director of Advocacy, MHA-NJ 
[States: CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT & NJ, NY]

Region 3 - Lisa Cuozzo, Director of Public Policy, MHA-MD
[States: DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV]

Region 4 - Ellyn Jeager, Director of Public Policy, MHA-GA    
[States: AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN]                               

Region 5 - Shel Gross, Director of Public Policy, MHA-WI       
[States: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI]

Region 6 - Gyl Wadge, Director of Public Policy, MHA-TX       
[States: AR, LA, NM, OK, TX

Region 7 - Susan Crain Lewis, Executive Director, MHA-Heartland
[States: IA, KS, MO, NE]                                                                   

Region 8 - Stephen Kopanos, Vice President of Public Policy, MHA-CO    
[States: CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY]                                            

Regions 9 & 10 - Jerry Jeffe, Legislative Advocate, MHA-CA 
[States: AZ, CA, HI, NV & AK, ID, OR, WA]

At-Large - Steve McCaffrey, Executive Director, MHA-IN      
[Public Policy Committee Representative]

At-Large - Mark Thomas, Assistant Director, MHA-LA           
[MHA Affiliate Representative]

Celebrating 100 years of mental health education and advocacy, Mental Health America is the country's leading nonprofit dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives.  With our more than 300 affiliates nationwide, we represent a growing movement of Americans who promote mental wellness for the health and well-being of the nation-every day and in times of crisis.  In 2009, we are marking a century of achievement with a year-long Centennial Observance: "Celebrating the Legacy, Forging the Future."