Mental Health America 2007 Annual Meeting, "Bringing Wellness Home," Gathers Leaders From Human Genome Project, United Way and SAMHSA

Contact:    Jason Halal, (703) 797-1943 or jhalal@mentalhealthamerica.net

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (May 22, 2007) - At its 2007 Annual Meeting, Bringing Wellness Home, June 6-9, 2007 in Washington, D.C., Mental Health America (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association) will bring together a diverse selection of mental health leaders to spotlight wellness - a core component of Mental Health America's nearly century-old movement, which has gained renewed focus given the indisputable connection between mental health and overall health.  www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/annualmeeting.  

The 2007 Annual Meeting offers a selection of notable speakers, including Francis Collins, M.D., Ph.D., director of the National Human Genome Research Institute; Joseph Haggerty, chief operating officer of United Way of America; and Terry Cline, administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), along with many other mental health leaders. 

Mental Health America will also present the second-annual forWARDS to honor the people, actions and events that have moved the cause of mental health forward in the past year.  Honorees include:

• Grammy-nominated rock quartet, The Fray, whose hit single, How to Save a Life, (and platinum album of the same name) raises awareness of teen suicide and addiction. 
• Representatives Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) and Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.), leaders of the movement for federal mental health parity - The Campaign to Insure Mental Health and Addiction Equity.
• Former Maryland gubernatorial candidate, Doug Duncan, for speaking out about his depression and the need to seek treatment.

Other Annual Meeting features include:

• Capitol Hill Advocacy Day Plenary and Congressional Visits - As Congress considers a variety of mental health-related legislation this year, advocates and consumers from across the nation will call for lasting change at a legislative plenary and in meetings with senators and representatives.
• Screening of "Canvas" - Writer/director, Joseph Greco, will screen this critically-acclaimed film about the child of a parent with schizophrenia.
• Media Awards Luncheon - A perennial highlight of the Annual Meeting, the luncheon will recognize outstanding media coverage of mental health issues.

With over 20 workshops, the Mental Health America 2007 Annual Meeting offers attendees the opportunity to learn from top leaders in the mental health field, hear about cutting-edge research and discuss innovative programs.  Workshops are organized into six tracks: Advocacy, Education and Outreach, Children and Family Mental Health Services, Adult Mental Health Services, Affiliate Management and Affiliate Resource Development.  In addition, mental health professionals can receive continuing education credits. 

For more information, or to register, visit: www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/annualmeeting.