Military Mental Heath, Scientific Research and Children Will Be Topics at 2010 NAMI Convention in Washington, D.C., July 1-3; Rep. Patrick Kennedy to Receive Award

Posted on June 22, 2010

Arlington, Va. -- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will hold its annual convention in Washington, D.C., July 1-3 and present its Distinguished Service Award to U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy.

Scientific research on early treatment of schizophrenia, children and military and veterans mental health are key topics on the agenda.

Outstanding journalism awards will be presented to Kelly Kennedy of the Army Times, author of They Fought for Each Other: The Triumph & Tragedy of the Hardest Hit Unit in Iraq and Judith Warner, author of We've Got Issues: Children & Parents in the Age of Medication.

NAMI will present its Media Award for Public Service to Fred Friendly Seminars, Inc., which produced the PBS program, Minds on the Edge: Facing Mental Illness, and Vermont Public Television.

NOTABLE EVENTS:

Thursday, July 1

• 8:30 a.m. Legislative Plenary; Rep. Patrick Kennedy
• 2:30 p.m. Opening Plenary: Obama Administration official (TBA)

Friday, July 2

• 9:00 a.m.  Research Plenary: "RAISE Study; Altering the Course of Schizophrenia," featuring National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Director Thomas Insel, M.D. and others
• 12:45 p.m.  Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Administrator Pam Hyde on "Implementing Health Reform: The Federal Agenda."
• 2:00 p.m. "Veterans and Military Mental Health: Can VA and DoD Move Forward Together?" featuring Ira Katz, deputy chief, patient care services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Elspeth Cameron Ritchie, M.D., special assistant for mental health, Army Surgeon General and others
• 7:30 p.m.  Ross Greene, Ph.D., author of The Explosive Child, will discuss "why challenging kids are challenging," child behavior as development delays, and collaborative problem solving.

Saturday, July 3

• 12:30 p.m.: What Federal Health Reform Means to You
• 1:30 and 3:15 p.m.: "Ask the Doctor Sessions"

About NAMI

NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.

SOURCE National Alliance on Mental Illness

RELATED LINKS
http://www.nami.org