Treatment & Therapy

Entertainment, Sports Figures Honored for Raising Mental Health Awareness at 2012 SAMHSA Voice Awards

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SAMHSA Voice AwardsThe Los Angeles Lakers’ Metta World Peace was just one of many people in the sports and entertainment industries recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for their contributions to raising awareness about mental health.

During its annual Voice Awards, held last night at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, SAMHSA awarded Metta World Peace a special recognition award for his work to raise awareness about mental health issues and for his financial support of nonprofit organizations that provide mental health awareness and treatment services for children.

SAMHSA also recognized Shonda Rhimes, producer and writer of “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice,” with a career achievement award for her ongoing efforts to educate television audiences about the real experiences of people with behavioral health problems and those impacted by trauma.

Televisions shows recognized by SAMHSA at last night’s Voice Awards include the following:

  • “Castle” (ABC) for the episode “Kill Shot,” addressing resilience, peer support, and recovery from trauma
  • “Glee” (Fox) for the episode “On My Way,” addressing suicide prevention, resilience, and recovery from trauma
  • “Homeland” (Showtime) for the episode “The Vest,” addressing mental illness, peer support, and recovery from mental illness
  • “Law & Order: SVU” (NBC) for the episode “Personal Fouls,” addressing resilience and recovery from trauma
  • “Necessary Roughness” (USA) for a series of episodes addressing behavioral health issues and recovery
  • “Parenthood” (NBC) for a storyline addressing substance abuse, family support, and recovery

“The remarkable productions being recognized tonight have helped advance the public’s understanding of recovery and the real experiences of people with behavioral health problems,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde.

This year’s Voice Awards, in its seventh year, highlighted stories of mental illness and substance abuse, with a special focus on the behavioral health challenges of athletes, their resilience, and their paths to recovery.

For the full list of 2012 Voice Awards winners and more about the annual event, click here.

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