ALEXANDRIA, VA (April 18, 2000) Mental health leaders and advocates will come together June 7-10 for the 50th annual Clifford W. Beers National Mental Health Conference, to take place at the Loew's L'Enfant Plaza in Washington, DC. Building on this year's theme, "Putting Research into Practice," conference attendees will learn about the latest research on mental illnesses and treatments, as well as practical strategies to increase awareness, reduce stigma and improve access to quality treatment.

Key Events

Wednesday, June 7  Opening Session

4:00 - 5:30 p.m. NMHA hosts a National Institute of Mental Health "Townhall" to discuss current and upcoming mental health research.

Thursday, June 8  Government Affairs Day

9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Congressional Breakfast and Legislator of the Year Awards Presentation in Cannon Room 345 (Cannon Caucus Room) on Capitol Hill. 10:30 a.m. - Noon Legislative Briefing on key legislative issues, such as mental health parity, patient protections, seclusion and restraint, veterans' mental health and juvenile justice.

Friday, June 9  Research Day (workshops)

8:00 - 10:00 a.m. Steve Hyman, M.D., director of the National Institute of Mental Health, Plenary will present an overview of the latest mental health treatment findings. Kathleen Merikangas will present on patterns of co-occurring disorders in youth and family.

Noon - 2:00 p.m.  Media Awards Luncheon honoring journalists who excel in covering mental health issues in print, broadcast and on-line media.

Saturday, June 10  MHA Day (workshops)

7:15 - 9:30 p.m. Closing Night Dinner will include presentation of key leadership and advocacy awards including NMHA's highest honor, the Clifford W. Beers award, to an outstanding consumer who works to improve life for people with mental illness. The evening will end with the traditional ringing of the Mental Health Bell.

More than 30 educational workshops on Friday and Saturday will focus on significant mental health topics such as:

• Helping Schools and Communities address School Violence;
• Engaging Families: The Role of Parents, Siblings and Kin;
• Consumer Perspectives on Self-Advocacy;
• Co-occurring Disorders/Best Practices in Integration;
• Adults with Mental Illnesses in the Criminal Justice System;
• New Employment Incentives and Model Programs;
• Creating Housing and Other Services for People who are Homeless and Have a Mental Illness; and
• Mental Illnesses in Senior Adults.

A copy of the full program, workshop and event descriptions are available from NMHA by calling 800-969-NMHA or by visiting the NMHA web site at www.nmha.org.

The National Mental Health Association is the country's oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. With more than 340 affiliates nationwide, NMHA works to improve the mental health of all Americans through advocacy, education, research and service.