More details:
Biden on mental illness: There’s nothing to be ashamed of
"The president announced Monday that the Department of Veterans Affairs will direct 151 of its health care centers to conduct mental health summits July 1 through Sept. 15. The summits, which will include partnerships with local community organizations, will focus on support for veterans and their families, and increase awareness about available mental health programs....
"And Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced a new website, mentalhealth.gov, which she described as a "one-stop shop" for mental health support and a place where visitors can read success stories from individuals with mental illness....
"Biden was introduced Monday by actor Bradley Cooper, who played a character with bipolar disorder in "Silver Linings Playbook." Cooper said he first spoke with Biden, who reached out to him in February about mental illness stigmas. "I want to help. I want to do something about it. I want to be part of the solution," Cooper said. He added that "helping people understand that they're not alone ... that treatment works" is a way to help reduce the stigma....
"Actress Glenn Close participated in the first panel. Close co-founded a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the stigma associated with mental illness after observing how it affected her sister and son. She said she is lucky her sister is alive. She "fell through the cracks of our family," Close said....
"Other participants included former Republican Sen. Gordon Smith of Oregon, whose son committed suicide. Smith currently serves as president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, which is developing a national campaign to increase public awareness of mental health. Audience members who spoke at Monday's first panel included former Democratic Rep. Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island, who has bipolar disorder, and Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan."
Comments (0)