U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy to Keynote Opening Session of Mental Health America’s 2015 Conference

For Immediate Release: February 11, 2015
Contact: Erin Wallace (571-319-9594, ewallace@mentalhealthamerica.net)

U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy to Keynote Opening Session of Mental Health America’s 2015 Conference

Alexandria, Virginia – Mental Health America (MHA) is excited to announce that newly confirmed United States Surgeon General, Vice Admiral (VADM) Vivek H. Murthy, M.D., M.B.A., will keynote the opening session of MHA’s 2015 Annual Conference: Intervention and Innovation Before Stage 4 on June 3, 2015 in Alexandria, Virginia.

As America’s Doctor, Dr. Murthy is responsible for communicating the best available scientific information to the public regarding ways to improve personal health and the health of the nation. He oversees the operations of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps, comprised of approximately 6,800 uniformed health officers who serve in locations around the world to promote, protect, and advance the health and safety of our nation. Dr. Murthy has devoted himself to improving public health through the lens of service, clinical care, research, education, and entrepreneurship. Dr. Murthy regards caring for patient as the greatest privilege of his life, and he has cared for thousands of patients and trained hundreds of residents and medical students as a clinician-educator.

“We are so honored and excited that Dr. Murthy has decided as part of his platform to address the very important issue of reducing the stigma associated with mental illness,” said Paul Gionfriddo, president and CEO of MHA. “We are equally thrilled that he has decided to take time out of his busy schedule to join MHA and mental health advocates from around the country at our annual conference to discuss the future of mental health care, and the critical need to address initial signs of a mental illness—before Stage 4—so that we can intervene early and make a difference.”

MHA is the nation’s leading community-based non-profit dedicated to helping all Americans achieve wellness by living mentally healthier lives. Our work is driven by our commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all, early identification and intervention for those at risk, integrated care and treatment for those who need it--with recovery as the goal.

The June 3-5 conference will be highlighting the innovative and incredible work of MHA and MHA affiliates throughout the nation, and will feature the innovative efforts of others to promote mental health and mitigate the effects of mental. Each year, Mental Health America’s Conference brings together advocates, educators, researchers, business and community leaders, members of Congress and the administration, and health professionals from across the country.

In addition to Dr. Murthy, some of the other confirmed speakers include Glennon Doyle Melton, author of the New York Times bestselling memoir, Carry On, Warrior and founder of Momastery.com; Dwight Hollier, Director of Transition and Clinical Services for the National Football League (NFL); Dr. Thomas R. Insel, Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH); Major General Mark Graham (Ret.), Senior Director, Call Center Operations and Director, Military/Veteran & Family Support Services at Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care; Terrie M. Williams, renowned mental health advocate and author of Stay Strong: Simple Life Lessons for Teens and Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting; and Yochi Dreazen, managing editor for news at Foreign Policy and author of The Invisible Front: Love and Loss in an Era of Endless War.

For more information and to register for the Mental Health America 2015 Annual Conference, click here.