It’s time to nominate your mental health heroes

Marya Grambs, Mental Health America of Hawai`i executive director, writes: “Please sit down for a moment and think about that unsung hero or “shero” who has been working to improve the mental health of people in Hawai`i.  Then take another moment to nominate her or him to receive a Mental Health Mahalo Award from Mental Health America at our 2008 Awards Luncheon. Deadline for nominations is Jan. 7. Click here to email Grambs for a nomination form.

Then, mark your calendars to come to the awards luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Japanese Cultural Center, May 22, 2008. MHA is seeking nominations for awards in the following categories:

• Outstanding Executive Director of a Community Mental Health Agency whose dedication has enhanced service to the mental health community.  Significant length of time providing services; demonstration of cultural competence; initiating ground-breaking new programs; spokesperson for mental health in the larger community; enhancing the leadership of others; passion and commitment. 
• Outstanding Community Mental Health Agency which has given consistent, positive commitment and service to people affected by mental illness.  Filling needed gaps in service to community; providing high quality culturally competent services consistently over time; empowering people with mental illness; innovative programming; excellent training of staff; high staff morale.
• Outstanding Mental Health Consumer Advocate who has given dedicated service and leadership to the mental health field. Someone who has experienced mental illness and who has demonstrated a commitment to the community to improve mental health treatment and services for others.  This could mean working as paid staff or volunteer; being a spokesperson and speaking out about their illness; educating others; advocating at the legislature or with state agencies, etc.
• Outstanding Government Program, Agency or Individual which has demonstrated positive leadership and innovation in the field of mental health for the state. Developing and implementing groundbreaking programs or services that meet an unmet community mental health need with quality, effectiveness, efficiency, and cultural competence; or spearheaded changes in public policy that have had positive impact on those in Hawaii suffering from mental illness. 
• Outstanding Business: For a for-profit company which aids its employees by providing innovative workplace programs, benefits, and services that are designed to prevent mental illness and support mental wellness of employees and their families.
• Outstanding Business: For a for-profit company which supports persons with mental illness by making a commitment to hire, train, and support people who are suffering from serious mental illness.
• Outstanding Mental Health Youth Advocate: A young person (21 and under) who has experienced mental health problems and has made a demonstrated commitment to the community to improve mental health treatment and services for others.   This could mean working as paid staff, intern, or volunteer; being a spokesperson and speaking out about their illness; educating others; advocating at the legislature or with state agencies, etc.