Thank you to everyone who attended Mental Health America's 2010 Conference, Get Connected: Social Inclusion in Wellness and Recovery, and helped make it such a resounding success.

The event brought together hundreds of advocates, consumers, mental health experts, organizations and researchers to explore the importance of meaningful social roles and connections in maintaining health and achieving recovery.

We examined how to create individual opportunity through social connections and the importance of inclusion in eliminating health disparities. Leading advocates and researchers spoke about the most effective methods for creating inclusive communities that embrace diversity, expand opportunities, and promote full participation for promoting wellness and recovery.

The concept of social inclusion builds on the original vision of our founder, Clifford W. Beers, for system reform, effective care and prevention of illness. It is also our charge today.

By implementing successful programs and strategies to build socially inclusive communities, we integrate prevention, wellness, treatment and recovery as key ingredients of community well-being. The enactment of health reform and mental health parity create significant opportunities to advance these goals and put programs into practice.

With your continued help and support, we can summon the will and chart the way toward creating a more inclusive society that builds healthier, stronger, more productive lives. ::

Sincerely,

David Shern, Ph.D., President & CEO