Mental Health America Announces Support of Give an Hour

Organizations to Work to Reduce Stigma of Mental Health Issues Among

 Military Personnel, Vets And Families

Contacts: Steve Vetzner, (703) 797-2588 or svetzner@mentalhealthamerica.net

                        Lauren Itzkowitz, (301) 960-4082 or litzkowitz@giveanhour.org

ALEXANDRIA, Va (September 2, 2009)-Mental Health America is proud to announce its partnership with Give an Hour.

Through this partnership, both organizations will work to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues within the military and veteran communities as well as the general public.

"We are proud to be partnering with Give an Hour, which has accomplished so much in serving the mental health needs of our military personnel, veterans and their families," said David Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America. "It is critically important that we remove the barriers of stigma and fear and ensure our brave young men and women can receive services that help heal the invisible wounds of war."

We are so pleased to be working with Mental Health America on this critically important issue," says Barbara Van Dahlen, Ph.D., founder and president of Give an Hour(http://www.giveanhour.org/).  "Reducing stigma and educating the public about the psychological issues our military members and their families are enduring are top priorities for Give an Hour.  Collaborating with Mental Health America will help ensure that we achieve those objectives."

Celebrating 100 years of mental health education and advocacy, Mental Health America is the country's leading nonprofit dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives. With our more than 300 affiliates nationwide, we represent a growing movement of Americans who promote mental wellness for the health and well-being of the nation-every day and in times of crisis.  In 2009, we are marking a century of achievement with a year-long Centennial Observance: "Celebrating the Legacy, Forging the Future."

Give an Hour is a national nonprofit organization providing free mental health services to members of the military, veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, their families and their communities.  Currently, there are more than 4,400 licensed mental health professionals volunteering their time on the Give an Hour network. Providers are in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.

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