Connect 4 Mental Health™ Announces 2016 Community Innovation Award Recipients

Posted on November 16, 2016

(Washington, D.C., (NOVEMBER 16, 2016) – The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the National Council for Behavioral Health (National Council), along with Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. and Lundbeck, announced the winners of the 2016 Connect 4 Mental Health™ (C4MH) Community Innovation Awards. Amidst a national landscape increasingly focused on lack of access to mental health care, C4MH advocates that change begins at home. C4MH celebrates organizations delivering community-driven, solutions-based approaches that help people with serious mental illnesses.

Now in its third year, the Awards program was designed to honor local mental health organizations that have successfully introduced novel approaches to address mental health in one of four program categories: early intervention, creative use of technology, continuity of care and service integration.  

“For a third year in a row, we’re pleased to recognize four local organizations that have implemented novel approaches to address gaps in their local mental health service community,” said Linda Rosenberg, president and CEO of the National Council. “It’s through successful, localized support services like those offered by this year’s Community Innovation Award winners that help address larger community issues often faced by people living with serious mental illness, such as homelessness and incarceration.”

The 2016 winning organizations in each category are:

• Early Intervention: Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County
• Creative Use of Technology: Grand Lake Mental Health Center
• Continuity of Care: City of Las Vegas Municipal Court
• Service Integration: NAMI Alameda County South    

“Since C4MH’s inception in 2013, we’re proud to have recognized 16 innovative organizations from coast to coast who are helping individuals and families affected by mental illness,” said Mary Giliberti, Executive Director of NAMI. “Each organization has a creative approach to solving issues unique to their communities, and we hope that increasing the visibility of these programs will encourage other community organizations to consider effective practices when establishing or improving their own offerings.”

Winning organizations receive a $10,000 award to further their work.

While there is no one approach to effectively address mental illnesses, the organizations honored with the Community Innovation Awards offer best practices for all communities to consider. To learn more about C4MH, the Community Innovation Awards and the need for community-oriented solutions to address serious mental illness, visit www.connect4mentalhealth.com.

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About Connect 4 Mental HealthTM

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 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. To learn more, visit www.connect4mentalhealth.com

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 is the unifying voice of America’s mental health and addictions treatment organizations. Together with 3,000 member organizations, serving 10 million adults, children and families living with mental illnesses and addictions, the National Council is committed to all Americans having access to comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery. The National Council was instrumental in bringing Mental Health First Aid to the USA and more than 700,000 individuals have been trained. In 2014, the National Council merged with the State Associations of Addiction Services (SAAS). 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. For more information, visit http://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, based in Japan. 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 US is an affiliate of H. Lundbeck A/S in Denmark, and focused solely on accelerating therapies for brain disorders. The company is 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 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.

Media Contacts:

Katrina Gay
National Alliance on Mental Illness
[email protected]
+1 615 545 2548

Heather Cobb
National Council for Behavioral Health
[email protected]
+1 202 684 7457 (ext. 277)

Kimberly Whitefield
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.
[email protected]
+1 609 535 9259

Nick Przybyciel
Lundbeck
[email protected]   
+ 1 847 282 5715