Aug 22, 2014
(Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2014) – The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the National Council for Behavioral Health (National Council), along with Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. and Lundbeck, today announced the launch of the Connect 4 Mental Health® (C4MH) Community Innovation Awards program. Building on the 2013 launch of the C4MH initiative, this awards program is designed to recognize local organizations across the country working to implement collaborative approaches that support individuals with serious mental illness in their communities.
“Localized programming and engagement are critical to supporting individuals with serious mental illness,” said Linda Rosenberg, president and CEO of the National Council. “Now more than ever, we need to recognize and support organizations collaborating beyond the mental health community and traditional stakeholders and implementing creative programming to address their community’s mental health needs.”
The need for innovative community-based programs and broader community engagement is reflected in the sobering fact that an estimated 40 percent of adults living with serious mental illness do not receive mental health services.1 Additionally, it is estimated that 1.25 million jail and prison inmates across the country have reported mental health problems.2 And untreated mental illness is estimated to cost the U.S. $100 billion each year.3
To help encourage the continued development of novel, community-based approaches, C4MH will issue four awards to U.S.-based programs exhibiting innovative work in one of four pillars – early intervention, creative use of technology, continuity of care, and service integration (one winner in each pillar). Each winner will receive a $10,000 award to support program efforts in their communities, as well as access to a one-on-one Mentorship Program to learn from exemplary community-based programs that were recognized as “national success communities” in 2013.
“Because organizations can learn from one another and build on their success, mentorship is an important component of the Community Innovations Awards program,” said Mary Giliberti, executive director of NAMI. “Through this awards program we hope to identify actionable steps that communities could consider as they establish or improve upon their mental health programs or service offerings.”
To qualify for a Community Innovation Award, an organization must have a measurable objective focused on improving mental health care to help address other challenges in their local community. Entries are due by October 3, 2014 and will be judged in the fall of 2014 by a committee of representatives from C4MH and the mentor community organizations. Winners will be notified by November of 2014. Community organizations can learn more and apply for the awards by visiting www.connect4mentalhealth.com.
About Connect 4 Mental Health
Connect 4 Mental Health (C4MH) is a nationwide initiative calling for communities to prioritize serious mental illness and advocate for new approaches that aim to help make a difference for individuals living with these conditions, their families and their communities. The campaign encourages collaboration among the mental health community and other community-based organizations – such as emergency services, law enforcement and public housing – to develop localized interventions that provide additional support for those with serious mental illness and also may help address larger community problems. C4MH launched nationally in November 2013 with its Community Collaboration Summit in Washington, D.C., where mental health advocates and criminal justice, housing and other community-based stakeholders introduced several comprehensive and integrated approaches aimed at helping the estimated 1 in 17 Americans living with serious mental illness, their families and their broader communities.4
C4MH is an alliance between the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the National Council for Behavioral Health (National Council), Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. and Lundbeck.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the largest grassroots mental health organization in the U.S. dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for patient access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raise awareness and build a community of hope for all of those in need. NAMI is the foundation for hundreds of NAMI state organizations, NAMI affiliates and volunteer leaders who work in local communities across the country to raise awareness and provide essential and free education, advocacy and support group programs. To learn more about NAMI, visit www.nami.org.
National Council for Behavioral Health (National Council)
The National Council for Behavioral Health (National Council) is the unifying voice of America’s community mental health and addictions treatment organizations. Together with 2,200 member organizations, it serves more than eight million adults and children living with mental illnesses and addiction disorders. The organization is committed to ensuring all Americans have access to comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery and full participation in community life. The National Council pioneered Mental Health First Aid in the U.S. and has trained more than 150,000 individuals to connect youth and adults in need to mental health and addictions care in their communities. To learn more about the National Council, visit www.thenationalcouncil.org.
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. (OAPI) is an innovative, fast-growing healthcare company that commercializes Otsuka-discovered and in-licensed products in the U.S. With a strong focus on neuroscience, oncology, cardio-renal and medical devices, OAPI is dedicated to improving the health and quality of human life. For more information, visit www.otsuka-us.com.
OAPI is a subsidiary of Otsuka America, Inc. (OAI), a holding company established in the U.S. in 1989. OAI is wholly owned by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. The Otsuka Group employs approximately 42,000 people globally and its products are available in more than 80 countries worldwide. Otsuka welcomes you to visit its global website at https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/.
Lundbeck
Based in Deerfield, Ill., Lundbeck U.S. was formed in 2009 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of H. Lundbeck A/S in Denmark. With a focus on accelerating advances in brain disorders, employees are engaged in the research, development, production, marketing and sale of innovative therapies that fulfill unmet medical needs among people living with challenging and sometimes rare neurologic and psychiatric disorders. In its late-stage research pipeline, the company has neurology compounds under investigation for Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and epilepsy, in addition to therapies in development for mental health disorders. With a special commitment to the lives of patients, families and caregivers, Lundbeck actively engages in hundreds of initiatives each year that support our patient communities. To learn more, visit us at www.LundbeckUS.com and connect with us on Twitter at @LundbeckUS
References:
(2013). The Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America. National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH). Retrieved October 4, 2013, from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-numbers-count-mental-disorders-in-america/index.shtml
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