Advisory

SAMHSA RECOGNIZES ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY AT SECOND ANNUAL VOICE AWARDS

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will host its second annual Voice Awards on Wednesday, August 23, at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.

The Voice Awards honor TV, film, and radio writers and producers who create dignified, respectful, and accurate portrayals of people with mental health problems.  

David Hoberman, the executive producer for “Monk,” will receive a “Career Achievement Award” for his many years of mental health advocacy. The TV series stars Tony Shaloub as Adrian Monk, a former police detective who solves crimes while also working to recover from his mental health problems, among them obsessive-compulsive disorder and phobias. 

Mariel Hemmingway will host the Voice Awards. Patty Duke and Ruta Lee will receive “Special Recognition” awards for their commitment to mental health advocacy.

WHO: Nominated programs include the major motion picture “Proof,” “Law and Order,” “Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye,” “Jellysmoke,” and National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition,” among others.
WHAT: The second annual Voice Awards
WHEN: Wednesday, August 23, 2006, 5:30 p.m. PDT
WHERE: Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles
VISUAL: Pre-event photo opportunities will be provided

The Voice Awards are part of the National Anti Stigma Campaign to reduce the stigma and discrimination faced by people with mental health problems. Through this campaign, SAMHSA is working to give voice to people with mental health problems in partnership with the Ad Council; American Counseling Association; American Psychiatric Foundation; American Psychological Association; Anxiety Disorders Association of America; the Mental Health Media Partnership; NARSAD, the Mental Health Research Organization; National Association of Social Workers; National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors; United Behavioral Health; and Writers Guild of America, West.

SAMHSA is a public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity, and effectiveness of the nation’s substance abuse prevention, addictions treatment and mental health service delivery systems.

SAMHSA, is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity and effectiveness of the nation’s substance abuse prevention, addictions, treatment, and mental health services delivery system.

SAMHSA is An Agency of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Service