SAMHSA to honor David O. Russell, Patrick Kennedy, and Peter Chiarelli at 2013 Voice Awards

National program will recognize community, TV, and film industry leaders who raise awareness about mental and substance use disorders and promote recovery

ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will honor David O. Russell, writer and director of Silver Linings Playbook and The Fighter, with a Career Achievement Award at the 2013 Voice Awards for his efforts to educate film audiences about the real experiences of people with behavioral health problems. In addition, SAMHSA will recognize former U.S. Congressman Patrick Kennedy and retired U.S. Army General Peter Chiarelli with Special Recognition Awards for their work to reduce the discrimination and misperceptions associated with people with behavioral health problems and increase access to behavioral health services and supports.

The event will take place on Wednesday, September 25, at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, CA. Since 2005, the Voice Awards program has brought together representatives from the entertainment industry and the behavioral health community for an evening of educational awareness-building about mental and substance use disorders and the power of recovery. This year's theme—Giving a Voice to Recovery—reflects SAMHSA's focus on the significant impact that individuals and communities can have when they support and give a voice to people with behavioral health needs.

The awards program recognizes the achievements of consumer/peer leaders who are sharing their stories of recovery and educating the public about behavioral health. Joseph Rogers of Philadelphia, PA, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for his impactful leadership and advocacy to advance the recovery movement. Consumer/Peer Leadership Awards will be presented to behavioral health advocates and community leaders Drew Horn, Freehold, NJ; Robert McKinley Gilmore, Sr., Houston, TX; Mia St. John, Calabasas, CA; Jennifer Constantine, Rapid City, SD; and William Kellibrew, Washington, DC. The Young Adult Leadership Award will be presented to Lauren Grimes of Baltimore, MD.

The Voice Awards also honors writers and producers who incorporate dignified, respectful, and accurate portrayals of people with behavioral health challenges into film and television productions. This year's finalists include Silver Linings Playbook (The Weinstein Company); The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Summit Entertainment) "Elementary" (CBS); "The Newsroom" (HBO); "Call Me Crazy: A Five Film" (Lifetime); "NCIS" (CBS); "Homeland" (Showtime); and "Perception" (TNT).

WHAT:
2013 Voice Awards — www.samhsa.gov/voiceawards   

WHEN:
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Partner-Sponsored Meet and Greet and Photo Opportunity—6 p.m. PDT 
Awards Program—7 p.m. PDT

WHERE:
Paramount Theater at Paramount Studios, 5555 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA

VISUAL:
Award winner, host, and presenter 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.samhsa.gov/voiceawards. To join the conversation about the Voice Awards, like SAMHSA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/samhsa and follow @samhsagov and #VoiceAwards on Twitter.

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.

SOURCE SAMHSA