Recognizing Those Who Go Above and Beyond to Improve Community Mental Health

 

Connect4MentalHealth is back and for the second year in a row, accepting applications for the Community Innovation Awards. We know that in every community, organizations and individuals are excelling and exceeding in finding new ways to serve individuals affected by mental health conditions, and we want to recognize and support you in those efforts.

In 2013, NAMI along with three other mental health-related organizations launched the Connect4MentalHealth initiative. The goal was to work together to call on local communities to prioritize the treatment of mental illness and support those that are currently leading the way.

We recognized organizations like Henderson Behavioral Health for their work on early intervention in south Florida, providing care for young adults and The Center for Health Care Services in Bexar County, Texas, treating the holistic needs of all individuals through person-centered treatment among many others.

Last year, as a part of the Community Innovation Awards process we recognized four outstanding organizations that were finding innovative ways to serve the mental health community. Awards went to:

• NAMI Collier County in the category of Early Intervention
• Crisis Text Line in the category of Creative Use of Technology
• Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center in the category of Continuity of Care
• Unity Point Health in the category of Service Integration

This year, winners of the Community Innovation Awards will receive a $10,000 award to support their efforts on the ground and will work closely with a mentor organization that has been previously recognized as an exemplary community-based program working toward similar goals.

Entries are due by July 17, 2015 and will be judged by a committee of representatives from C4MH and the mentor community organizations. Winners will be notified in October of 2015. Community organizations are encouraged to learn more and apply for the awards by visiting www.connect4mentalhealth.com.