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Remarks by
A. Kathryn Power, M.Ed.
Director
Center for Mental Health Services
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Second Annual Voice Awards
August 23, 2006
Los Angeles, CA
Attached is the text prepared for delivery; however, some material may have been added or omitted at the time of delivery.
Good evening. Thank you for your kind introduction.
It’s always wonderful to be back in California, a State that is a
front-runner in so many areas of human and social concern. This certainly
holds true in terms of mental health. With the passage of Proposition
63, California clearly states its conviction that transforming mental
health care is a priority. And that every community—every citizen—has
a stake in the mental well-being of others. In addition, Prop 63
places consumers and families in their essential roles—as the directors
of their own journeys of recovery. This legislation is yet another
example of the progressiveness and innovation we’ve come to expect
from the great State of California.
It’s a pleasure to be here tonight for the Second Annual Voice Awards.
We’re recognizing some of the entertainment industry’s most important
individuals—talented people who are depicting, living with, and recovering
from mental illnesses. This event honors dynamic, extraordinary community
leaders who have devoted their professional lives to working with
and helping others who are affected by mental illnesses. We’re honored
to have Mariel Hemingway as our host this evening, and to be joined
by Miss Patty Duke, Mr. Maurice Bernard, Mr. Hank Azaria, and Ms.
Ruta Lee. Your presence indicates how deeply you are committed to
helping others who are living with mental illnesses. Your inspiration,
experience, and courage are gifts to us all.
These awards are a critical part of a national anti-stigma campaign
being conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration to reduce the discrimination and stigma associated
with mental illness. In October, the campaign will launch several
TV, radio, and print public service announcements developed to help
Americans learn more about mental health problems—and to broaden
acceptance of individuals who live with and are recovering from these
misunderstood illnesses. With the help of people such as tonight’s
awardees and others, we are creating a new social climate in which
individuals with mental illnesses will be free of the isolation,
fear, and discriminatory actions that may deny them a home, a job,
friends, and a full life in their communities.
I want to thank tonight’s entertainment awardees for bringing your
talent, intelligence, and sensitivity to bear on the subject of mental
illnesses and recovery. You have sent powerful and positive messages
to your audiences: Mental illnesses are real, common, and treatable.
Individuals affected by them can and do recover. They are valued
and responsible members of society. Mental illnesses most certainly
are not statements about the character of those
affected by them. To the contrary, individuals living with mental
illnesses provide courageous examples of how to cope with and overcome
one of life’s most complex challenges.
Advertising executive William Bernbach said, "All of us who professionally
use the mass media are the shapers of society. We can vulgarize that
society. We can brutalize it. Or we can help lift it onto a higher
level." This year’s entertainment awardees have used their roles
in the industry to lift, enlighten, and educate millions of people
by providing dignified, accurate, and respectful portrayals of recovery
from mental illnesses. They have encouraged discussion and opened
hearts and minds. They have made us think and change our perceptions.
Their efforts have made a tremendous difference in the way their
audiences now perceive mental illness and recovery.
Tonight, we are also honoring influential and progressive community
leaders who have made invaluable contributions to reducing the misconceptions,
stigma, and discrimination that far too often accompany mental illnesses.
Nothing can eliminate misunderstanding better than direct, personal
experience with another human being. This year’s Consumer Awardees
demonstrate the critical importance of the "contact approach" to
topics that society may sometimes find difficult to confront. Through
their efforts and example, they have inspired others to bravely step
forward and claim their rightful place in their communities. Their
courage, leadership, devotion, and tenacity have paved the way for
others who are engaged in the important work of improving the lives
of those with mental illnesses. They have challenged the world head
on, and demanded that people with mental health issues be treated
with respect and dignity.
The individuals we are honoring tonight have gone a long way toward
shattering myths about mental illnesses and recovery. By illuminating
the truth about mental illnesses and by focusing
on the strength and courage of those engaged in the journey of recovery,
they help put to rest fear, intolerance, misunderstanding, and discrimination.
To each of the 2006 Voice Award winners: Congratulations, and thank
you for contributing to a better public understanding of mental illnesses.
Many groups and individuals have made the 2006 Voice Awards possible.
My special thanks to Vanguard Communications and the Advertising
Council for organizing and bringing this event to life. The Ad Council
and Vanguard are also partnering with us on the National Anti-Stigma
Campaign. I’d also like to acknowledge the members of SAMHSA’s Center
for Mental Health Services National Advisory Council, who lent their
support for this event: Dr. Cheryll Bower-Stephens, Carlette Randall,
Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren, Dr. Michael Vergare, and Dr. D.J. Ida.
We’re grateful for your stellar role in supporting the work of CMHS.
Our thanks go out to the American Counseling Association, the American
Psychiatric Foundation, the American Psychological Association, the
National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, NARSAD:
the Mental Health Research Organization, the National Association
of Social Workers, the Mental Health Media Partnership, the Anxiety
Disorder Association of America, United Behavioral Health, and the
Writers Guild of America for providing resources that led to the
realization of this event. And I want to express my personal gratitude
to Barbara Lurie, Al Guida, Jennifer Brown, Chris Marshall, and Paolo
delVecchio for their hard work in planning tonight’s ceremony. Most
of all, I want to honor the individuals and families whose lives
and triumphs we are privileged to share.
Educator Adela Allen said, "We should acknowledge differences,
we should greet differences, until differences make no difference
anymore." Tonight’s awardees have brought that vision closer
to reality. I urge each of you to continue to use your remarkable
abilities to give voice to those who live with mental illnesses –
to take risks to reverse the gross misperceptions that exist about
people with mental illnesses – to serve as shining examples of the
power of recovery – and to enlighten and instruct the public. Thanks
to you, America is listening…and learning. Thank you.
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