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The VOICE AWARDS
Department of Health and Human Services
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SAMHSA Honors Writers, Producers and Mental Health Consumer Leaders at Star-Studded 2009 Voice Awards

On October 14, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) honored writers and producers for giving voice to people with mental health problems by incorporating dignified, respectful, and accurate portrayals of people with mental illnesses into their scripts, programs, and productions. The event was hosted by Academy Award-winning actor and mental health consumer Richard Dreyfuss at Paramount Studios in Hollywood.

The event also recognized the accomplishments of consumer leaders and advocates who have been instrumental in both raising awareness and understanding of mental health issues and promoting the social inclusion of people with mental health problems. Through their leadership and advocacy, these individuals continue to demonstrate that recovery is real and that people with mental health problems are valuable, contributing members of their schools, workplaces, and communities.

Former U.S. Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon and Mrs. Sharon Smith received the SAMHSA Spotlight Award for heightening awareness about suicide prevention. In addition, SAMHSA honored five-time Academy Award nominee Glenn Close with a Special Recognition Award for her work to educate the public about the effect of stigma on those with mental illness and their families. Grey New York, an advertising agency that developed a public service campaign in partnership with the Ad Council aimed at decreasing negative attitudes about mental illness and encouraging young adults to support friends who are living with mental health issues, also received a SAMHSA Special Recognition Award for its pro-bono work.

The 2009 Voice Awards were made possible by the invaluable assistance and support provided by its program partners. This distinguished list of program partner organizations includes:

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