A Century Commemorated at MHA Centennial Gala Celebration

It was a night many in attendance describe as the “exclamation mark” or “the pinnacle” in Mental Health America’s 100-year history.  It was an elegant affair filled with laughter, tears, cherished memories, inspirational tributes and thundering applause for a century of accomplishments that recognized Mental Health America--the organization which began the mental health movement in the United States. 

On a beautiful June evening in Washington, D.C., Mental Health America, in conjunction with our Centennial Conference, celebrated in style with a fundraising Gala to honor the organization’s Founder Clifford Beers and bring together past Board Chairs, Committee members, supporters, mental health advocates and mental health consumers, all of whom dedicated their time, talents, leadership and passion to bettering the lives of individuals with mental health conditions. 

Joining in the celebration were Mrs. Tipper Gore, Honorary Chair of the Centennial Conference and Gala Celebration, and Mrs. Rosalynn Carter. Both have been staunch supporters of Mental Health America for many decades. During the Centennial Gala Senators Edward M. Kennedy and Pete Domenici were honored for their legendary work on behalf of individuals with mental health conditions.  Kennedy, who could not be in attendance, and Domenici were presented the Paul Wellstone Legacy Awards for their lifelong work and commitment to mental health and their leadership in winning passage of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. The act was signed into law last year. The award is named after the late Senator Paul Wellstone, who championed this issue of mental health parity during his time in the Senate. READ MORE

President’s Column with Dr. David Shern

We Celebrated our Legacy and Forged our Future

It is an immense honor to serve as Mental Health America’s president during our Centennial year. Looking back on our Annual Conference and Gala Celebration -- where we came together to Celebrate the Legacy of our Founder Clifford Beers and committed ourselves to Forging the Future of the mental health movement in America -- I have asked myself many times what Clifford Beers would think of the organization he founded after 100 years

I think that we’ve done much to realize Beers’ vision and that, today, we are poised to boldly move forward to more fully realize his initial dream. If we remember the relatively non-existent state of mental health science in 1909, the shameful treatment of persons with mental illnesses in state and private hospitals and the public’s perceptions of mental illnesses, we’ve made enormous progress. We’ve dramatically improved public knowledge and attitudes, neuroscience is arguably the most exciting area in science, and treatment is much more available and effective than 100 years ago.

Mental Health America has stimulated or been part of every major mental health accomplishment during the last century—starting with hospital reform at the turn on the Century, the development of ‘scientific psychiatry’ and the mental hygiene movement though the founding of NIMH, the CMHC movement and into the current era of rehabilitation and recovery. The 2008 passage of the Domenici/Wellstone Parity and Addiction Equity Act is our most recent achievement.

One of the great achievements of this year will be the founding of the The Gardens at Saint Elizabeths–A National Memorial of Recovered Dignity. The ceremony at the beginning of the Centennial Conference week was one of the most memorable and poignant occasions of the conference and one that surely would have pleased Mr. Beers. READ MORE

2009 Centennial Conference

Mental Health America’s Centennial Conference Explores Ways to Forge the Future of the Mental Health Movement

Mental Health America celebrated its Centennial with a star-studded gala, but also looked ahead to the future of the mental health movement at its Centennial Conference. This year’s event featured five plenary sessions that informed attendees on some of the top priorities of our organization, including mental health coverage for our veterans, cutting-edge research and treatment, the importance new Web 2.0 media communication in building the movement, and mental health’s position in health care reform. READ MORE

Capitol Hill Update

Dr. Shern Testifies Before Congress on Health Care Reform

David L. Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America, testified last month before the Health Subcommittee of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee to discuss a comprehensive health care reform bill authored by chairmen of the three lead health reform committees in the House of Representatives.

Dr. Shern and Mental Health America commended the authors of this bill for their thoughtful proposals to expand coverage for the uninsured while improving the quality of care and reducing cost.  The bill includes many provisions that would benefit people with mental health or substance use conditions who have traditionally not been well served by our current health care system.

“We are very pleased to see the principle of non-discrimination and parity for behavioral health services would be maintained in the new provisions to cover the uninsured,” said Dr. Shern.   

The “Tri-Committee” bill carries forward the principles established in federal law by the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, which was signed into law last year.

“When funding is tight and benefits are reduced, mental health services are often the first place cuts are made,” said Dr. Shern. “However, providing access to mental health services is essential in light of recent findings that a large proportion of low-income, uninsured individuals have poor mental health. The provision in the Tri-Committee bill to ensure that mental health and substance use services are available to all individuals covered through a new Health Insurance Exchange is absolutely critical.”

“Phasing out the gap in coverage under Medicare Part D is also a crucial reform included in this bill,” noted Dr. Shern. “The gap in coverage commonly referred to as the “doughnut hole” has proven very disruptive and even damaging for many mental health consumers unable to access critical medications because of it.” READ MORE

realLIVES

A Fight Using Resourcefulness and Determination

by Angela in North Carolina

My strength is derived from my passion for advocating for those who suffer from mental illness as I have shared their pain. I am a highly-motivated individual who chooses to use my own mental illnesses as an asset rather than a liability.

I have been diagnosed with 4 illnesses: Borderline Personality Disorder, Major Depression, ADD, and Bi-Polar. These diagnoses came at different stages in my life. I think it is important to state that I am always in my own recovery. My greatest desire is to be able to educate others, reduce the stigma, and give those that are suffering the hope and the resources they need to get on track so they may be able to function as normal as possible. I believe that mental illness can manifest for different reasons. There's no clear cut answer as to why it happens. It could be brought on by heredity, environment, or a chemical imbalance in the brain. My father and brother have suffered over the years. For me it started when I was 6 years old. At that age I was molested by a 16 year old male. He was our babysitter and the abuse happened several times. As a teen, I felt like something just wasn't right. I couldn't concentrate in school and always did poorly.

My family life wasn't what I would consider good. I was told at the age of 22 I had a severe case of PMS. I was treated with an anti-depressant. This helped for a while. When I was 27 I was diagnosed with major depression. I had a breakdown when I was 30. READ MORE

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Mental Health America would like to thank our sponsors for their generous support of our Centennial Conference and Gala.