Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

2009 Awards Event

The 2009 Voice Awards ceremony took place on Wednesday, October 14, at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, CA. Twenty-four films, television shows, and individuals were honored during an awards presentation followed by an after-party celebration on the Paramount Studios lot. The event was hosted by Academy Award-winning actor and mental health consumer Richard Dreyfuss, and brought together people from the entertainment industry and consumer and advocacy communities. The event celebrates the contributions and accomplishments of entertainment writers and producers, as well as mental health consumer leaders, to encourage others to join in the effort to educate people about mental illness and the reality of recovery.

Academy Award-winning actor and Voice Awards host Richard Dreyfuss welcomes everyone to the event and talks about his own struggles with mental illness.	Actors Kathleen Sullivan and Richard Dreyfuss talk about the accomplishments of Consumer Leadership Voice Award winner John Kevin Hines.
SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric Broderick, D.D.S., M.P.H, speaks about the extraordinary suicide prevention efforts of Senator Gordon Smith and Mrs. Sharon Smith.	Senator Gordon Smith and Mrs. Sharon Smith, recipients of the SAMHSA Spotlight Award for Suicide Prevention, pause on the red carpet for photos.
SAMHSA Special Recognition Award recipient Glenn Close talks about her personal connection to mental illness in a video acceptance.	CMHS Director A. Kathryn Power, M.Ed., speaks about the significant mental health advocacy efforts of actress Glenn Close.
Mary Ellen Copeland accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award.	Actor Ice-T presents a Voice Award to executive producer Neal Baer for the “Trials” episode of “Law & Order: SVU.”.
Actor Jessica Stroup presents a Voice Award to writer Paul Sciarrotta for the bipolar disorder storyline of “90210.”	John Kevin Hines accepts a Consumer Leadership Award.
Consumer Leadership Award winner Eric Arauz and his wife, Cheryl, stop on the red carpet for photos.	Actor Brie Larson presents a Voice Award to “United States of Tara” producers Brett Baer, Dave Finkel, and Dan Kaplow for the “Inspiration” episode.
Producer Russ Krasnoff accepts the Voice Award on behalf of the film The Soloist.	Author and communications professional Terrie Williams presents a Consumer Leadership Award to Marian Bacon.
Consumer Leadership Award winner Mark Davis poses for photos on the red carpet with his niece, Deidre.	Actor Bryan Dattilo introduces the Voice Award-winning film Autism: The Musical.
Writer Nancy Oliver accepts a Voice Award on behalf of the film Lars and the Real Girl.	Actor Andy Comeau presents a Voice Award to Consumer Leadership Award winner Ann Kirkwood.
T.J. Curtis accepts the 2009 Young Adult Leadership Award.	Actor and mental health advocate Ruta Lee talks about the accomplishments of Consumer Leadership Award winner Mark Davis.
Cast and crew from the documentary film Autism: The Musical pose for a photo upon arrival at the Paramount Studios Theatre.	Executive Producer Paris Barclay accepts the Voice Award on behalf of the “Gina” episode of “In Treatment.”
Actor Aasha Davis presents a Voice Award to writers William Harper and Sonay Washington for the PTSD storyline of “Grey's Anatomy.”	Director Jeremiah Zagar and producer Jeremy Yaches from the Voice Award-winning documentary film In a Dream pause on the red carpet for photos.
Actors Jimmy Wolk and Dominic Scott Kay introduce the Voice Award-winning made-for-TV movie Front of the Class.	CMHS Director A. Kathryn Power, M.Ed., presents a Voice Award to executive producer James A. Holt for the film Michael Clayton.
Writer Sandra Nettelbeck accepts a Voice Award on behalf of the film Helen.	Actor Aasha Davis presents a Voice Award to associate producer William E. Badgley for the “I Have Schizophrenia” episode of MTV's documentary series “True Life.”
Ad Council Executive Vice President Priscilla Natkins presents a SAMHSA Special Recognition Award to David Prince for Grey New York's creative contributions to the What a Difference a Friend Makes Campaign.	Actor Kathleen York presents a Voice Award to actor Jason Grey Stanford for the “Mr. Monk's 100th Case” episode of “Monk.”
Despite the rain, guests make their way through registration and down the red carpet upon arrival at Paramount Studios.	Guests walk the red carpet and enjoy the Witness Justice GlassBook Project exhibit upon arrival at the Paramount Studios Theatre.
Guests mingle with consumer leaders and entertainment industry award winners at the after-party celebration.	Associate Director of CMHSs Office of Consumer Affairs Paolo del Vecchio and mental health advocate Gilberto Romero enjoy the after-party celebration.