CMHS Director Discusses Mental Health System Improvements at NMHA Annual Meeting

National Mental Health Association
Tuesday, 8 June 2004

Kathryn Power, Director of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), will join mental health leaders and advocates from across the nation to discuss plans to transform the nation's mental health system as was called for by the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. This discussion will take place at the opening plenary of the National Mental Health Association Annual Meeting on June 9.

One year ago, NMHA's nationwide network of mental health advocates came together with the Chairman of the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, Michael Hogan, to discuss the commission's pending recommendations. Now, advocates will convene with CMHS' Power to discuss plans to remedy the nation's broken system in light of these recommendations. The plenary will offer an in-depth look at how CMHS and SAMHSA approach current challenges and work to turn those challenges into opportunities to improve access to care and to create a fair mental health service system.

The "Reforming Our Mental Health System to Ensure Justice for All" plenary will take place on June 9 from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.

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.

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