Olympic Hurdler Derrick Adkins to Address National Mental Health Conference

National Mental Health Association
Thursday, 29 May 2003

Adkins to Share Personal Story of Depression and Recovery at NMHA Annual Meeting

Derrick Adkins, 1996 U.S. Olympic Gold Medal Winner in the 400-meter hurdles, will deliver the opening dinner keynote address at the National Mental Health Association's 2003 Annual Conference, America's Mental Health Crisis: Finding Solutions Together. Derrick Adkins will share his personal struggle with depression and how it affected his Olympic performance. He will also talk about his recovery and why he chose to become a mental health advocate.

Derrick Adkins works closely with the Mental Health Association of Nassau County, New York, speaking about depression and suicide prevention at schools and community organizations. He has just completed work on a public education video, titled "Real Hurdles," that will target young people in classrooms across the country with the message that recovery from depression is possible. Derrick serves as the assistant minister at his local church and is training for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.

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