Mental Health America to Honor Congresswomen Tammy Baldwin and Mary Bono Mack

Will Be Presented Legislators of the Year Awards at

Annual Conference in Washington, DC, on June 10

Contact: Steve Vetzner, (703) 797-2588 or svetzner@mentalhealthamerica.net

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (June 8, 2010) Mental Health America this week will honor U.S. Reps. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.) with Legislators of the Year Awards for their leadership on mental health and substance use issues in Congress.

The awards will be presented on Thursday, June 10, during the Capitol Hill Day of Mental Health America's 2010 Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

"During their service in Congress, Reps. Baldwin and Bono Mack have been mental health champions," said David Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America. "We applaud their leadership and commitment to serving the needs of their constituents and millions of Americans living with mental health conditions."

As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Baldwin has played a key role in shaping mental health policy, including the recently enacted health care reform bill and mental health parity legislation.

A fellow member of the Energy and Commerce panel and advocate for mental health parity legislation, Rep. Bono Mack has consistently fought for equitable funding for mental health and substance use disorders in her role as Vice-Chair of the Congressional Addiction Treatment and Recovery Caucus.

Dr. Shern said Reps. Baldwin and Bono Mack have also made critical contributions to advancing the goals of a major Institute of Medicine report on prevention of mental health and substance use conditions.

In 2008, Reps. Baldwin and Bono Mack (R-Calif.) cosponsored a House resolution on the importance of supporting prevention of mental disorders and substance use among children, youth and young adults.

Mental Health America is the country's leading nonprofit dedicated to helping ALL people live mentally healthier lives.  With a century of service and our more than 320 affiliates nationwide, we represent a growing movement of Americans who promote mental wellness for the health and well-being of the nation - everyday and in times of crisis.

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