National Alliance on Mental Illness
page printed from http://www.nami.org/
(800) 950-NAMI; info@nami.org
©2013
MEDIA ADVISORY:
Thursday, March 31, 2005
CONTACT:
Katrina Gay, 615-545-2548
NAMI Washington to Release New Report on Washington’s Mental Healthcare Crisis; Launches Statewide "Campaign for the Mind of America"
WHEN: Wednesday, April 6, 2005, at 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Capitol Rotunda, Olympia, Washington
WHAT: Release of new report:--"Can Crisis Beget Opportunity? The Campaign for the Mind of America’s Response to the Mental Health Funding Quandry" and the launch of NAMI Washington’s Campaign for the Mind of America
WHO:
- Michael Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, NAMI National
- Karen Daniels, Chief Deputy of Corrections, Thursdon County Sheriff’s Office
- Randy Revelle, Vice President, Public Policy Affairs, Washington State Hospital Association
- The Honorable Mark Chow, Judge, King County District Court
- Peter Lukavich, Former Judge; Executive Director, Washington Partners in Crisis
- Gordon Bopp, President, NAMI Washington
- Sergeant L.J. Eddy, C.I.T. Coordinator, Seattle Police Department
- Invited guests:
- County Executive Ron Sims, King County
- State Senator James Hargrove (D)
- State Representative Eileen Cody (D)
- State Representative Bill Hinkle (R)
- Representative, Washington State Parent Teacher’s Association
- Representative, Church Council of Greater Seattle
WHY YOU SHOULD BE THERE:
NAMI Washington -- the Washington chapter of NAMI, the Nation’s Voice on Mental Illness -- will release a new report, Can Crisis Beget Opportunity?, which provides a vivid snapshot of the costs to individuals, families, and taxpayers in Washington of untreated mental illness. The report also lays out a fiscally-sound, step-by-step plan for reducing these costs and improving mental care. Featured speakers from the law enforcement, medical, judicial, and social service communities will describe their day-to-day experience coping with the challenges of untreated mental illness, and the need for change.
This event also marks the state launch of the "Campaign for the Mind of America," a multi-year national and state-level initiative to increase access to mental health treatment and services and show the effects of untreated mental illness on every community. The Campaign works to create unique partnerships between those acting as the front line in the current mental health treatment system crisis – education, law enforcement, health care, and business.
NAMI leaders and partners will use findings from this report to meet with administration officials and legislators to urge them to make economically sound evidence-based decisions.