SAMHSA recognizes honorees at 2014 Voice Awards

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Tonight, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will recognize Jason Katims, Kristen Johnston, television and film screenwriters and producers, and more who educate the public about mental and substance use disorders at the 2014 Voice Awards, held on the UCLA campus  Now in its ninth year, the Voice Awards event—hosted by past Voice Awards winner and "Mad Men's" James Wolk --brings together the behavioral health community and the entertainment industry to improve public awareness about behavioral health and recovery.

The Voice Awards will honor four-time Voice Award winner Jason Katims—writer and executive producer of NBC's "Parenthood" and "Friday Night Lights" -- with a Career Achievement Award for his efforts to educate television audiences about the experiences of people dealing with behavioral health challenges and their journeys to recovery.

"There is no discounting the power of media and particularly film and television to educate others about inclusion and recovery for people living with mental and substance use disorders," said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde. "Voice Award winners illustrate how we're getting better at representing the realities of behavioral health and promoting how recovery from these conditions is commonplace and that people in recovery contribute to their communities every day."

This year's theme -- Learning About Young Adult Behavioral Health -- underscores SAMHSA's commitment to educate the public about the challenges young adults face in dealing with mental and/or substance use disorders and empower them to help those young adults find a path to recovery.

The following awards will also be presented to an exemplary group of community leaders and entertainment productions:

Lifetime Achievement Award for advancing the recovery movement through consumer-focused research and evaluation.

• Jean Campbell, Ph.D., St. Louis, Missouri

Consumer/Peer Leadership Awards for sharing their stories of recovery and working to improve public acceptance of people with behavioral health conditions.

• Lacy Kendrick Burk, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
• Matt Canuteson, Delmar, New York
• Greg Dicharry, Phoenix, Arizona
• Patrick Hendry, Herndon, Virginia
• Toni Jordan, St. Louis, Missouri

Young Adult Leadership Award for providing peer mentorship and sharing messages about wellness.

• Sean Campbell, Bergen County, New Jersey

Television Productions

• "Elementary" (CBS–Series Award) for addressing substance use disorders and addiction, peer support, and the journey of recovery
• "Mike & Molly" (CBS) for the episode "Mind Over Molly" addressing the impact of trauma and grief
• "Mom" (CBS) for the episode "Zombies and Cobb Salad" addressing substance use disorders, peer support, and recovery
• "Nashville" (ABC–Series Award) for addressing mental and substance use disorders, the impact of trauma, peer support, and the journey of recovery

Film Productions

• Frankie & Alice for addressing dissociative identity disorder and the impact of trauma
• Home for addressing schizophrenia, peer support, and the journey of recovery
• Short Term 12 for addressing mental health issues, suicide, and the impact of trauma among young adults
• The Spectacular Now for addressing substance use issues among young adults

Documentary Productions

• The Anonymous People for addressing substance use disorders and addiction, the power of peer support, and the journey of recovery
• Life Continued: Defeating Depression (MTV) for addressing mental health issues, bullying, and recovery among young adults

The Voice Awards program is a collaborative effort among behavioral health and entertainment industry organizations. For a complete list of the 33 program partner organizations involved in this year's effort, visit http://beta.samhsa.gov/voice-awards/partners.

The 2014 Voice Awards event will be streamed live on the Voice Awards' Web page on Wednesday, August 13, beginning at 7 p.m. PDT/10 p.m. EDT. To learn more about the Voice Awards program and view the live Webcast, visit http://www.samhsa.gov/voiceawards.

Follow #VoiceAwards to join the conversation about the Voice Awards on Twitter.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.

SOURCE SAMHSA