Foundation Honors Programs That Target Minority MH Care
The American Psychiatric Foundation bestowed its Awards for Advancing Minority Mental Health on five agencies at its annual benefit event, held in May at APA's annual meeting.
The awards honor the commitments and efforts undertaken by psychiatrists and mental health professionals who have organized programs that help to provide for the mental health needs of minorities.
These are the five agencies:
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Siloam Family Health Center of Nashville, Tenn., received an award for the provision of health care to low-income, uninsured people in middle Tennessee. The integration of mental health services into the primary clinic setting has provided immigrants and refugees from many countries access to affordable, culturally sensitive mental health services as well as opportunities for ongoing mental health treatment.
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Asian Counseling and Referral Service of Seattle received an award for the New Life program, a consumer-driven, holistic model through which individuals with a mental illness find empowerment, companionship, and skill building while enjoying the social support and network gained through participation in the program. New Life provides culturally competent and linguistically accessible prevocational and vocational rehabilitation services.
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St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center and HIV Center for Comprehensive Care in New York City received an award for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Mental Health and HIV Services Collaborative. This program expands capacity and access to culturally competent and nonstigmatizing HIV-related mental health services at the center's two outpatient clinics.
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Venice Family Clinic in Venice, Calif., received an award for its work providing mental health care to more than 2,100 low-income, uninsured, and homeless men, women, and children each year. Comprehensive mental and behavioral health services are given through staff, volunteers, and partnerships in the community. The clinic has a Program for Victims of Torture, which offers on-site counseling services.
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Imperial County Behavioral Health and Sun Valley Research Center in Imperial, Calif., received an award for the work of Alvaro Camacho, M.D., who directs the efforts of both agencies for the underserved rural community. Home services and medical management are provided to residents in areas where there are no electricity or public utilities. Programs to improve access to care and to decrease the level of stigma have been implemented to increase the awareness to the public and private sectors about the unmet needs of individuals with mental illness among Latinos living in parts of rural Southern California.
Each organization was presented a plaque and $5,000 in honor of their work and commitment to advancing minority mental health. The awards are made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc.
American Psychatric Foundation President Richard Harding, M.D. (left), poses with award recipients Michael Brodsky, M.D., Hannah Wolfe, Ph.D., Andrew Michel, M.D., Alvaro Camacho, M.D., and Francis Lu, M.D. At far right is Andrei Pikalov, M.D., of Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc.
Credit: David Hathcox
“We are proud to present these awards to these mental health professionals and organizations, which continue the strong commitment to reducing mental health disparities for racial and ethnic minorities,” said Richard Harding, M.D., the foundation's president. “I congratulate all the recipients of the Awards for Advancing Minority Mental Health, and as a psychiatrist, commend their efforts to educate and raise awareness of mental health needs and services available. With education we are well on our way to a national movement to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness.”
The awards were presented at a fund-raising event at San Francisco's historic Ferry Building. Beginning in the late 19th century, the Ferry Building, looking out over San Francisco Bay, was the transportation focal point for anyone arriving by train from the East or by ferry boat from surrounding bay communities.
The gala netted nearly $100,000, according to Lindsey McClenathan, the foundation's development officer. That included $2,000 from a silent auction for such items as an annual APA membership, handmade jewelry, registration for the 2009 Institute on Psychiatric Services, and tickets to see the Washington Nationals baseball team play the San Francisco Giants.
The elegance of the venue was supplemented by guest speakers who included, in addition to Harding, outgoing APA President Nada Stotland, M.D., and Gariane Gunter, M.D., a resident at the University of South Carolina where Harding is chair of the Department of Psychiatry.
As it happens, Gunter is also Mrs. United States. “This year as Mrs. United States, and daily as a psychiatrist, I am fighting to eliminate the negative stigma of mental illness,” Gunter told attendees at the gala.“ This title has allowed me to meet so many inspiring people and work with incredible organizations like the foundation, and for that I am forever grateful. One of my favorite sayings is, 'Be the change you want to see in this world,' and the American Psychiatric Foundation is doing just that. Through your efforts, education, and fundraising, you are making this world a more beautiful place for those suffering from a mental illness.”▪
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Published online: 3 July 2009
Published in print: July 3, 2009
Notes
The awards were presented during the foundation's annual event, held this year at San Francisco's historic Ferry Building.
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