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SAMHSA to Hold National Anti-Stigma Campaign Regional Meetings

August 2006

In the war against stigma, the federal government will soon officially launch its   National Anti-Stigma Campaign (NASC), with public service announcements (PSAs) developed in conjunction with the U.S. Ad Council.

Based on the recommendation of the President New Freedom Commission on Mental Health in 2003, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is organizing the campaign. The NASC aims to improve the general understanding of mental illnesses, promote recovery, and encourage help-seeking behavior across the age span.  But the agency needs grassroots support from a broad coalition of mental health organizations to make it work.

SAMHSA will hold regional meetings in August and September for the campaign.  Advocates interested in attending are invited to contact the agency’s organizers (Vanguard Communications) for more information. Regional meeting locations, dates, and the states in each region, along with  email addresses, are indicated below.

August 25—Los Angeles, CA   rsvpLA@vancomm.com
Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington

September 11 - Denver, CO   rsvpDENVER@vancomm.com
Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming

September 18—Washington, D.C.   rsvpDC@vancomm.com
Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia

September 26—Chicago, IL    rsvpCHICAGO@vancomm.com
Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin

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