NMHA Honors Maryland Student's Efforts to Prevent College Suicides

National Mental Health Association
Tuesday, 27 May 2003

The National Mental Health Association will honor Alison Malmon, from Potomac, Md., with its Tipper Gore "Remember the Children" Volunteer Award on June 7 at its annual conference in Washington, D.C., for her dedication to raising awareness about mental health and preventing suicides on college campuses.

"The mental health movement is so fortunate to have advocates like Alison who take their personal tragedies and turn them into missions to make a difference," said Michael M. Faenza, NMHA President and CEO. "Alison's tireless dedication to increasing awareness and support on college campuses will help students feel safe seeking care, and prevent future losses to suicide."

After losing her older brother to suicide when she was an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, Alison Malmon founded the student group "Open Minds" to prevent future tragedies by fostering discussion and education about mental illness on campus. Throughout college, Alison Malmon raised awareness about mental illness and local resources, worked with student counseling to be sure those who sought help received it, organized two annual runs and planned a twenty-school intercollegiate symposium. As a result of her advocacy work, Alison Malmon was appointed to the University of Pennsylvania's University Mental Health Task Force as the only student member.

Alison Malmon graduated this month and plans to start "Open Minds" groups on college campuses around the country and pursue her advocacy work on behalf of people with mental illness. NMHA's annual conference 2003, America's Mental Health Crisis: Finding Solutions Together, will be held June 4-7 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. For more information on college mental health, NMHA's college outreach, or to arrange an interview, please contact Michelle Pruett at 703-838-7538 or mpruett@nmha.org.

The National Mental Health Association is America'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.

For more information, or to contact National Mental Health Association, see their website at: www.nmha.org