Contact: Christopher Burley, Bazelon Center, 202-467-5730 x 133 or leec@bazelon.org;
Bill Emmet, NASMHPD, 703-739-9333 x 136 or Bill.Emmet@nasmhpd.org; Elizabeth Adams, NAMI, 703-524-7600,
elizabetha@nami.org; Heather Cobb, NMHA, 703-797-2588 or hcobb@nmha.org

Mental Health Leaders Available for Interviews on President’s Commission Report

Campaign for Mental Health Reform

Campaign for Mental Health Reform website

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (July 14, 2003) — As America’s public mental health system faces its greatest crisis since World War II, The Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, NAMI, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors and National Mental Health Association announce the formation of the Campaign for Mental Health Reform. The Campaign will work to address the nation’s failing mental health system and to aggressively advocate for much needed change. The Campaign founders and 12 other partners strive to make access, quality and recovery the hallmark of our nation’s mental health system.

The Campaign announcement comes as the White House prepares to release the long-awaited report from the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. The report is expected to identify policies and offer general recommendations to improve mental health service delivery for the millions of Americans with mental illnesses. Leaders from the Campaign for Mental Health Reform are available to comment on how federal and state governments can implement these recommendations and to provide background issues identified in the report. Campaign founders available for interview:

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law

Robert Bernstein, Ph.D., Executive Director
Chris Koyanagi, Policy Director
The Bazelon Center is the leading national legal advocate for people with mental illnesses or mental retardation. Through precedent-setting litigation and in the public policy arena, the Bazelon Center works to advance and preserve the rights of people with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities.

NAMI

Rick Birkel, Executive Director
Ron Honberg, National Director for Policy and Legal Affairs.
NAMI leads a national grassroots effort to transform America’s mental health care system, combat stigma, support research, and attain adequate health insurance, housing, rehabilitation, jobs and family support for millions of Americans living with mental illnesses. NAMI’s more than 1,000 affiliates are dedicated to public education, advocacy and support.

The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors

Robert Glover, Executive Director
William Emmet, Program Director
Andy Hyman, Director of Government Relations and Legislative Counsel
NASMHPD serves the interests of the directors and commissioners of 55 state and territorial government mental health agencies. NASMHPD and the state agencies it represents seek to create effective, culturally-sensitive services that promote recovery and active participation in community life for those they serve.

The National Mental Health Association

Michael M. Faenza, M.S.S.W., President and CEO
Ralph Ibsen, J.D., Vice President of Government Affairs
Focused on consumer advocacy, NMHA is the country's oldest and largest mental health organization that addresses all aspects of mental health and mental illness. NMHA, and its 340 affiliates nationwide, work to improve the mental health of all Americans through advocacy, education, research and service.

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