Contact Your Members of Congress: May 7 Congressional Briefing for National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day

Congressional Briefing for National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day

Early Identification and Early Intervention for Mental Health Conditions

On Wednesday, May 7, 2014, a legislative briefing will be held in honor of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week.  The briefing will focus on Early Identification and Early Intervention for Mental Health Conditions with a particular focus on research, services and supports with great outcomes in the early identification, intervention and treatment of psychosis and other mental health challenges.

The panel will present research from the administration, addressing the importance of early identification and intervention. Dr.  Lisa Dixon, Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center and Director for the Center for Practice Innovations will discuss the efficacy of the RAISE (Recovery After Initial Schizophrenia Episode) Connection program.  Tiffany Martinez will speak about her experiences and how innovative early intervention programs helped her on her road to recovery.  Members of Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano’s Mental Health Task Force and their family members will also share their experiences with integral services and supports.

Act Now!

We urge you to contact your House and Senate representatives, encouraging them and their staff to attend this important lunch briefing.. They will be receiving a U.S. House of Representatives “Dear Colleague” letter about the briefing this week. Your calls, emails, and contacts with Congressional offices will greatly impact turnout for the briefing. 

Vital information:

• Title: Early Identification and Early Intervention for Mental Health Conditions
• Date: Wednesday, May 7^th, 2014
• Time: 1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
• Location:  The Gold Room (Room 2168), Rayburn House Office Building

Your phone and/or email message can be short and sweet – “Please attend a legislative briefing on May 7^th at 1:00 p.m. in the Gold Room (2168 Rayburn) in honor of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. This briefing is especially important for education and health staff in your office. You will learn about innovative programs that address early identification and early intervention of mental health conditions.  These issues are extremely important to your constituents as we work to improve the services available to children and youth living with mental health needs.”

All House and Senate offices can be reached through the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.  Additional contact information can be found by visiting www.contactingthecongress.org.

Please call or email your Congressional Members and encourage them to attend today!  Thanks for all that you do on behalf of children, families and caregivers.