Membership has its...You know the saying. It's common for an organization to ask you to become a member and to give benefits in return.

I'm asking you to become a member of Mental Health America so we can give back to so many who rely on us for help. In 2011, we are launching a membership program to provide greater financial stability and certainty for our work—now and in the years ahead.

You may already support Mental Health America financially. If you do, you have our thanks, and we hope you will continue to support us. If you are part of our Advocacy Network or have signed up for our news and information updates or enjoy reading The Bell, I hope you will take an extra step and help us by becoming a member.

How much does it cost? Just $5 a month or an annual payment of $50. Yes, you will receive benefits like discounts for our Store and other publications.

But more importantly, you will help us build on our century of service and continue the ground breaking steps we have taken to improve care and access to services.

From fighting stigma to passing mental health parity to educating millions about the importance of mental health and providing the tools to achieve it, we have made great strides.

Become a member and help us achieve even more in the years ahead. ::

New Look for Website: Mental Health America's website has a new look, with easier navigation and new toolbars to access information on programs and resources such as Live Your Life Well and Dialogue for Recovery. The site is organized around Mental Health America's missions of advocacy, education and service.

Patrick Kennedy Honored: Mental Health America and many other advocacy organizations joined in honoring retiring Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I) at a Capitol Hill reception in December. Among those speaking at the event was Mental Health America President and CEO Dr. David Shern and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who called Kennedy's work in winning passage of the Mental Health Parity Act "one of the legislative feats of the century." Kennedy plans to stay involved in mental health and addiction issues. His first step is to organize the Next Frontier Conference, where scientists, politicians, patients, and families can work together to "hasten the development of treatments and cures for neurological disorders." The conference will be May 23-25, 2011, in Boston. You can learn more at www.moonshot.org.

In Memoriam: Dr. Betty Humphrey

Dr. Betty Humphrey, of Mitchellville, MD, a distinguished mental health advocate, former Mental Health America board member, educator, and humanitarian died on Saturday, November 13, 2010, of metastatic cancer. A tireless advocate of culturally competent mental health care, the Betty Humphrey Cultural Competency Award was created in her honor. The award, presented at Mental Health America's Annual Conference, recognizes a Mental Health America affiliate for outstanding achievements in the creation of culturally competent services that address racial, ethnic and cultural disparities in mental health and substance abuse systems. To view her full obituary and learn memorial service details, visit http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?n=betty-j-humphrey&pid=14668174 ::

Top

“Mental Health Parity Act "one of the legislative feats of the century.”

-Nancy Pelosi