Mental Health America Hosts Inaugural Mental Health Promotion and Prevention Summit

Two Day Meeting-Of-The-Minds Brings Together International Leaders to Explore and Advance Cutting-Edge Promotion and Prevention Strategies

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (May 20, 2008)-This June 6-7 in Washington, D.C., Mental Health America will convene an extraordinary group of 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. 

The two-day event, entitled the Inaugural Mental Health Promotion and Prevention Summit, will take place during Mental Health America's 2008 Conference, and 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.  Highlights include:

• An Update on the Institute of Medicine Report, "Prevention of Mental Disorders and Substance Abuse among Children, Youth, and Young Adults: Research Advances and Promising Interventions" - The Summit is timed to prepare attendees for the much-anticipated release of the forthcoming Institute of Medicine report with presentations by internationally-known researchers, authors and IOM committee members, William Beardslee, M.D. and Carl C. Bell, M.D. Dr. Beardslee, of Harvard Medical School, will discuss the current state of scientific research with a focus on family approaches and what citizens and organizations can do to help and Dr. Bell will share his perspective as an advocate and scientist. In addition, Kevin Haggerty, M.S.W., of the Social Development Research Group at University of Washington in Seattle, will discuss how effective prevention programs at the community, school and family levels can save dollars.

• The Cutting Edge: Research on Early Intervention & Prevention of Schizophrenia - William McFarlane, M.D., professor of psychiatry at the University of Vermont and director of the Center for Psychiatric Research at Maine Medical Center, is a leader in research on severe mental illness and early intervention techniques designed to prevent the onset of psychosis. Dr. McFarlane will discuss the research on the prevention of psychosis and his own integrated approach, which is being tested in six communities throughout the nation.

• Adopting a Prevention and Promotion Framework - Galvanizing the Political and Social Will for Change - Gregor Henderson, MSC, former director of the Scottish Government's National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing and Helen Herrman, M.D., director of the World Health Organization's Collaborating Centre for Mental Health in Melbourne, Australia, are renowned international experts on the development of national mental health promotion and prevention programs. Henderson and Dr. Herrman will share their country's respective experiences and offer insight into what it takes to get a promotion and prevention agenda that is focused on mental health and well-being adopted in the United States.

• Roundtable Discussion: Breakthroughs in Genetics and Neuroscience and What They Mean for Prevention - The Summit will also feature a roundtable discussion moderated by leading U.S. health care journalist, Susan Dentzer, featuring the biggest names in mental health genetics and neuroscience research including Thomas Insel, M.D., director of the National Institute of Mental Health, Nora D. Volkow, M.D., director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse and Leslie Leve, Ph.D., research scientist at the Oregon Social Learning Center. Together, the panel will examine recent advances in our understanding of the human brain - from neuroscience and behavioral research to genomics - and explore their implications for prevention and the future.

Other notable events:

• No Health Without Mental Health - Mental Health America President and CEO, David Shern Ph.D., will premier the groundbreaking FundaMENTAL Health presentation - an examination of the current state of mental health and proven promotion and prevention strategies.

• Keynote Luncheon - Chief Executive Officer of the American Cancer Society, John R. Seffrin, Ph.D., will discuss the cancer movement's successful strategies to reduce mortality and increase awareness and how the mental health movement can model its efforts.

• Promotion and Prevention in the Places We Live, Work and Learn - a series of breakout sessions will expand on the plenary discussions to help attendees learn to implement and sustain proven prevention and promotion models in their communities.

Mental Health America is convening the Summit because the United States has the highest prevalence rates of mental illnesses in any developed or developing country.  People with serious mental illnesses die an average of 25 years prematurely from a range of manageable health problems and less than one-third of people who seek help receive adequate care.  Prevention and early intervention are America's best hope for improving mental health, reducing the burden of disease and increasing community well-being and productivity. 

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.

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