AMHCA Launches 'The Year Of Mental Health Awareness'

By Wayne Meyerowitz, MA, LMHC, MD Chair, AMHCA's Public Awareness, Advocacy and Marketing Committee, and Frank Hannah, MS, LMHC

The events of September 11, 2001, made the need for mental health awareness more apparent than ever before.  Our society, already stressed over interpersonal and intrapersonal issues, can benefit from our collective effort to promote mental health awareness.

As part of this effort, on July 24, AMHCA's Board of Directors designated 9/11/03 to 9/10/04 'The Year of Mental Health Awareness.' 

Goals to be worked on during this Year of Mental Health Awareness include:

• Advancing the Mental Health Awareness Stamp Project.  The stamp project will be advanced through placing the stamp petition on AMHCA's website; gaining additional public support through continued distribution of the stamp petition; publishing regular updates in The Advocate on the number of signatures obtained in support from each state's governor and members of congress; and creating a network of organizational support by soliciting other national organizations - including NAMI, the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Diabetes Association - to be 'supportive organizations' of the Year of Mental Health Awareness.
• Publishing articles on mental health awareness in other magazines and journals by individual members of AMHCA.
• Sending a letter to advice columnist 'Dear Abby' with supporting follow-up materials explaining the purpose of the Year of Mental Health Awareness.  The materials would include a copy of the Mental Health Awareness Stamp Petition.  
• Requesting that radio stations announce that AMHCA has declared the period from 9/11/03 to 9/10/04 as the Year of Mental Health Awareness.  Radio commentators will also be sent copies of the Mental Health Awareness Stamp Petition. 
• Initiating monthly communication via The Voice Cafe among the Public Awareness Committee, AMHCA headquarters, and other interested members of the association.  

The Year of Mental Health Awareness is a powerful concept, providing a unique opportunity to respond to some basic needs of our country and enhance the awareness of the relevance of mental health in our society.  

Throughout the year, AMHCA will apply mental health principles, which include courage, integrity, tenacity, and inspiration, to promote mental health awareness in our society. 

To learn more about AMHCA, click here.

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