SAMHSA to recognize honorees at the 2016 Voice Awards

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 10, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Tonight at the 2016 Voice Awards, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will recognize actors Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard; filmmakers Rob Reiner and his son Nick Reiner; and entertainers Yashi Brown, her mother Rebbie Jackson-Brown and her sister Stacy Brown-Salas for raising awareness and understanding of mental health and addiction issues. Hosted by Dr. Mehmet Oz of "The Dr. Oz Show," tonight's event will also recognize community leaders, as well as television and film screenwriters and producers, for their efforts to promote the importance of behavioral health and the positive impact that family members can have on their loved ones' paths to recovery from mental and substance use disorders

This year, the event will highlight the theme "Strengthening Families through Hope and Help" and spotlight the invaluable role family members can and do have in all aspects of prevention, treatment, and recovery.  Bell and Shepard, the Reiners, and the Jackson-Brown family will receive SAMHSA Special Recognition Awards for their efforts to improve public awareness and understanding of behavioral health issues, and for speaking out about the importance of family support for those living with mental illness and addiction.

"Family is often the strongest and most enduring support system available to people with behavioral health conditions," said SAMHSA Principal Deputy Administrator Kana Enomoto.  "We need to acknowledge and continue to promote the incredible impact that meaningful family support can and does have on the journey of recovery." 

In its 11^th year, the Voice Awards program recognizes leaders in the TV and film industry and behavioral health community who work to increase awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders.  The program also connects the entertainment community with the people and stories they are portraying in their productions: consumer/peer leaders and their families.  The 2016 Voice Awards event will be streamed live beginning at 6:30 p.m. PDT/9:30 p.m. EDT.  To view the live webcast, visit www.samhsa.gov/voice-awards.

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

Lifetime Achievement Award for their substantial contribution to mental health awareness and research:

• The Staglin family: Garen, Shari, Brandon, and Shannon Staglin, Rutherford, California

Consumer/Peer/Family Leadership Awards for sharing their stories of resilience and demonstrating the positive impact of meaningful family support for their loved ones in recovery:

• Sheldon Hill, Detroit, Michigan
• Tiffany Hunsley, Rochester, Minnesota
• Julie Magers, Tigard, Oregon
• Ted Streuli, Edmond, Oklahoma
• Sally Zinman, Berkeley, California

Young Adult Leadership Award for teaching, mentoring, and encouraging young people across the nation with behavioral health challenges:

• Joshua Calarino, Miami, Florida

Television Productions

• "Blue Bloods" (CBS) for an episode addressing mental health issues and Crisis Intervention Team training.
• "The Carmichael Show" (NBC) for an episode addressing depression and family support.
• "Empire" (FOX) for a storyline addressing bipolar disorder, family support, and recovery.
• "Madam Secretary" (CBS) for an episode addressing suicide and family support.
• "Mom" (CBS) for a storyline addressing substance use disorders, peer and family support, and recovery.
• "Nashville" (ABC – CMT next season) for a storyline addressing postpartum depression, family support and recovery.

Film Productions

• Being Charlie for addressing substance use disorders, peer and family support, and recovery.
• The Dark Horse for addressing mental health issues, family support, and recovery.
• Love & Mercy for addressing mental and substance use disorders, family support, and recovery.
• Touched with Fire for addressing bipolar disorder, family support, and recovery.

Documentary Productions

• Buried Above Ground for addressing post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders, family support, and recovery.
• Hollywood Beauty Salon for addressing mental and substance use disorders, peer and family support, and recovery.

The Voice Awards program is a collaborative effort among behavioral health and entertainment industry organizations.  For more information about the Voice Awards and to view the list of collaborating organizations, visit www.samhsa.gov/voice-awards.

Join the Voice Awards conversation by following SAMHSA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/samhsa, and on Twitter at @samhsagov and #VoiceAwards.

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 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Related Links

http://www.samhsa.gov/