Norfolk Mental Health Experts Forum

March 29, 2010 Norfolk, VA

225 West Olney Road
Norfolk, Virginia 23510
(757) 823-1600
www.norfolkcsb.org

National Mental Health Experts to Speak at Norfolk Forum

NORFOLK, VA-Slashed budgets can mean slashed services, particularly when it comes to mental health, substance abuse and other behavioral services. The City of Norfolk, Norfolk Community Services Board (CSB) and Old Dominion University (ODU) are jointly hosting national mental health experts at a forum from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. on Monday, March 29, in the Big Blue Room at ODU's Ted Constant Convocation Center, 4320 Hampton Boulevard in Norfolk, VA, 23529, to tackle this issue.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse disorders affect all of us in the community, not just the people who need treatment. Businesses and schools have fewer absentees, medical costs are reduced, demand is lowered for law enforcement and justice system involvement. Cities that provide care save the $60 a day per person it costs to incarcerate someone who needs treatment but will not find it in jail or on the streets. Treatment Works, and behavioral healthcare pays back over 400% on the investment made in providing services.

Norfolk Mayor Paul D. Fraim and ODU President John R. Broderick will offer opening remarks. Norfolk CSB Board Chairman Lewis J. Taylor will give an overview of the issues, and Theodore P. Remley, who holds the Batten Endowed Chair in Counseling at ODU, will moderate the forum on how best to deliver behavioral healthcare in a climate of shrinking budgets and increased demand-and how effective care can save public money.

Headlining the Forum are national and international experts:

Rear Admiral Eric Broderick, Deputy Administrator of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), will address the role of SAMHSA, priorities for development of the behavioral healthcare system, and the importance of evidence-based practices and national outcomes.
Charles G. Ray, Operations Manager for World Federation for Mental Health, an international organization with members and contacts in more than 100 countries on six continents, will speak on the prevalence of mental health and substance abuse disorders and the burden it places on businesses, schools, communities and individuals. And,
George DelGrosso, Colorado expert on the economics of behavioral healthcare, will address the cost-benefit of providing treatment and how investment in treatment provides good financial and economic outcomes for communities.

The forum is free, but seating is limited. If you would like to attend, please call 823-1600. We encourage the public and media members to join us.