Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic Honors NAMI Board Chair Keris Jan Myrick & Empowerment Congress Mental Health Committee

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic's Sixth Annual Awards Luncheon yesterday honored Keris Jan Myrick and the Empowerment Congress Mental Health Committee for their stellar efforts in advancing the cause of mental health and well-being for children, youth and families.

Ms. Myrick serves as board chairperson of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.  "Keris is advocate extraordinaire on behalf of hundreds of thousands of individuals who face the challenges of their mental illness and undertake the journey to recovery," said Clinic President and CEO Elizabeth W. Pfromm, M.S., MPA.   Ms. Myrick received the Evis Coda Award for Building Hope for Families honoring an individual for his or her outstanding work in the field of children's mental health.

Empowerment Congress Mental Health Committee – part of the larger effort launched in 1992 by then Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas – was honored for achievements that include development of a policy framework that envisions a coherent, highly accessible role for mental health services in the context of federal health care reform. "On the heels of the 1992 civil unrest, Mark Ridley-Thomas waded into turbulent waters and created a forum to help calm a long disenfranchised community," said Ms. Pfromm.  "The establishment of that vision — the Empowerment Congress — has since given voice so that community members can be 'educated, engaged, and empowered.'" The committee received the Quinton James Award for Making a Difference, honoring an entity, organization or elected/public official who has had a broad impact on improving the lives of children and families.

The event was held once again at The California Endowment Center for Healthy Communities.

About Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic:  Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic mission is to provide quality mental health services by ensuring easy access and promoting early intervention.  We empower South and Central L.A.'s children and young adults to get on track to success – to reach goals in school, build healthy relationships, and enjoy emotional well-being. Our team of compassionate professionals offers behavioral counseling and support to individuals and families.

SOURCE Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic