This week brings to a close the 2009 Mental Health Awareness Month. I had the opportunity to be a part of some activities that were intended to raise awareness of mental health issues. One of those events was the 2009 Voice Awards, held at Paramount Studios in Hollywood.
The Voice Awards are an annual celebration hosted by
SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Government. The Awards are partnered by mental health organizations that include
NAMI,
Mental Health America, and the
American Psychological Association.
The intention of the evening is to "recognize outstanding efforts by the entertainment industry and mental health consumer leaders to increase public understanding and acceptance of individuals with mental health problems."..."The Voice Awards honor writers and producers who have given a voice to people with mental health issues by incorporating dignified, respectful, and accurate portrayals of these individuals into film and television productions."
This year, SAMHSA chose to honor Glenn Close for her work to educate the public about the impact of mental illness on individuals and families. In addition, 14 awards were presented to Television and Film winners selected from over 150 nominees, and included The Soloist, "Monk", Michael Clayton, Lars and the Real Girl, "90210," "Grey's Anatomy," and "Law & Order: SVU".
The Voice Awards also celebrated the achievements of 10 mental health consumer leaders who are working to promote the social inclusion of people with mental health issues and the real possibility of recovery. These leaders were the real winners, in my opinion, real people who have triumphed over their challenges and have gone on to be a beacon to others along the way. People like Ann Kirkwood, an anti-stigma activist and Director a a youth suicide prevention hotline.
It was far easier, for me at least, to celebrate along with recovered individuals than to lend my " Hurrah!" to shows like "90210", which was honored for its portrayal of a character with bipolar illness, but which, in my opinion, does little to enhance the mental health of its viewers, for many other reasons, unrealistic ideas of beauty and thinness among them!
Richard Dreyfuss, the host for the evening, shared about his own diagnosis of bipolar disorder and the great healing he received when his doctor said these words to him years ago, "Richard, there is a faucet
somewhere in your brain that is dripping either too fast or too slow". Dreyfuss went on to add, "there was no stigma in that for me. We need to change the stigma out there for people experiencing [mental health challenges]."
Of the 24 awards issued, approximately 18 of them were for the cause of bipolar illness. Other biologically based illnesses recognized were Tourette's Syndrome, schizophrenia, depression, and substance abuse.
Here's a thought (you knew where I was going with this!)- Time for the Voice Awards to turn its eye to eating disorders, encouraging real, honest, and above all - helpful media portrayals of eating disorders recovery. After all, eating disorders, as we know, are biologically based illnesses that claim more lives than most other mental health disorders.
Visit SAMSHAonline for more information about their work...
Host Richard Dreyfuss and an up-and-coming actress from "The United States of Tara".
The five delegates of California from the American Psychological Association
A colleague, Dr. Wood, and Ice T, now a television actor on Law and Order.
Photo of me and former Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon, one of the early leaders of the Federal Mental Health Parity Act and instrumental in its final passage in the U.S. Government.
This week brings to a close the 2009 Mental Health Awareness Month. I had the opportunity to be a part of some activities that were intended to raise awareness of mental health issues. One of those events was the 2009 Voice Awards, held at Paramount Studios in Hollywood.
The Voice Awards are an annual celebration hosted by SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Government. The Awards are partnered by mental health organizations that include NAMI, Mental Health America, and the American Psychological Association.The intention of the evening is to "recognize outstanding efforts by the entertainment industry and mental health consumer leaders to increase public understanding and acceptance of individuals with mental health problems."..."The Voice Awards honor writers and producers who have given a voice to people with mental health issues by incorporating dignified, respectful, and accurate portrayals of these individuals into film and television productions."
This year, SAMHSA chose to honor Glenn Close for her work to educate the public about the impact of mental illness on individuals and families. In addition, 14 awards were presented to Television and Film winners selected from over 150 nominees, and included The Soloist, "Monk", Michael Clayton, Lars and the Real Girl, "90210," "Grey's Anatomy," and "Law & Order: SVU".
The Voice Awards also celebrated the achievements of 10 mental health consumer leaders who are working to promote the social inclusion of people with mental health issues and the real possibility of recovery. These leaders were the real winners, in my opinion, real people who have triumphed over their challenges and have gone on to be a beacon to others along the way. People like Ann Kirkwood, an anti-stigma activist and Director a a youth suicide prevention hotline.
It was far easier, for me at least, to celebrate along with recovered individuals than to lend my " Hurrah!" to shows like "90210", which was honored for its portrayal of a character with bipolar illness, but which, in my opinion, does little to enhance the mental health of its viewers, for many other reasons, unrealistic ideas of beauty and thinness among them!
Richard Dreyfuss, the host for the evening, shared about his own diagnosis of bipolar disorder and the great healing he received when his doctor said these words to him years ago, "Richard, there is a faucet
somewhere in your brain that is dripping either too fast or too slow". Dreyfuss went on to add, "there was no stigma in that for me. We need to change the stigma out there for people experiencing [mental health challenges]."
Of the 24 awards issued, approximately 18 of them were for the cause of bipolar illness. Other biologically based illnesses recognized were Tourette's Syndrome, schizophrenia, depression, and substance abuse.
Here's a thought (you knew where I was going with this!)- Time for the Voice Awards to turn its eye to eating disorders, encouraging real, honest, and above all - helpful media portrayals of eating disorders recovery. After all, eating disorders, as we know, are biologically based illnesses that claim more lives than most other mental health disorders.
Visit SAMSHAonline for more information about their work...
Host Richard Dreyfuss and an up-and-coming actress from "The United States of Tara".