2011 Media
Media Advisory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 16, 2011
CONTACT: Matt Forke, 202–248–5484 (office); 202-341-8973 (cell), mforke@vancomm.com (email)
SAMHSA Press Office, 240–276–2134
SAMHSA TO HONOR GIFFORDS’ AIDE AND TUCSON MAYOR AT THE 2011 VOICE AWARDS
National award program will recognize Ron Barber, Mayor Robert Walkup, TV and film screenwriters and producers, and community leaders for raising awareness and understanding of trauma recovery and mental and substance use disorders
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will honor Ron Barber, district director for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and survivor of the January 8 Tucson shooting, with a Special Recognition Award at the 2011 Voice Awards on August 24 for his work to promote mental health awareness and understanding. In addition to Barber, SAMHSA will recognize Tucson Mayor Robert E. Walkup and his wife Beth for their ongoing efforts to help Tucson and the nation heal from the traumatic events of the shooting.
The event — hosted by Emmy and Golden Globe award nominee and NBC’s “Parenthood” star Peter Krause — will take place on Wednesday, August 24, 2011, at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, CA. Since 2005, this event has brought together representatives from the entertainment industry and the behavioral health community for an evening of awareness-raising about the contributions people living with mental and substance use disorders make to their schools, workplaces, and communities.
The award program honors writers and producers who have given a voice to people with mental and substance use disorders by incorporating dignified, respectful, and accurate portrayals of these individuals into film and television productions. This year, SAMHSA will spotlight programming that highlights stories of mental illness, substance use, and trauma resiliency and recovery. Finalists include “The Fighter,” “The King’s Speech,” FOX’s “Glee,” NBC’s “Harry’s Law,” ABC’s “Private Practice,” and HBO’s “Treme.”
The Voice Awards also will celebrate the achievements of consumer/peer leaders who are working to promote social inclusion of their peers and offer hope that people can and do recover from mental and substance use disorders. Jacki McKinney, M.S.W., from Philadelphia, Penn., will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for her leadership and advocacy on behalf of trauma survivors. Consumer Leadership Awards will be presented to behavioral health advocates and community leaders Tonier Cain, Alexandria, Va.; Athena Haddon, Worcester, Mass.; Luis Carlos Montalván, New York, N.Y.; Heidi Kraft, San Diego, Calif.; and Pat Risser, Ashland, Ohio. The Young Adult Leadership Award will be presented to Amanda Gregory of Orland, Calif.
WHAT: 2011 Voice Awards—www.voiceawards.samhsa.gov
WHEN: Wednesday, August
24, 2011
Red Carpet Arrival—6 p.m., PDT
Awards Ceremony and After-Party Event—7 p.m., PDT
WHERE: Paramount Theater
at Paramount Studios, 5555 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA
VISUAL: Pre-event red carpet photo opportunities
To attend the event or request an interview, please contact Matt Forke at 202–248–5484 (office) or 202-341-8973 (cell).
For more information about the Voice Awards and to view the list of collaborating organizations, visit www.voiceawards.samhsa.gov, follow @samhsagov on Twitter and/or visit www.facebook.com/samhsa on Facebook.
SAMHSA is a public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.
