Mental Health America award recipients

The Honorable Patrick Kennedy is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and the son of the late Senator Edward Kennedy. His book, A Common Struggle, tells his personal story of “coming out” about suffering from bipolar disorder and addiction, his long journey to recovery, and his reflections on the current state of America’s mental health care system. During his 16-year career representing Rhode Island in Congress, he fought a national battle to end medical and societal discrimination against these illnesses, highlighted by his lead sponsorship of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008—and his brave openness about his own health challenges. He is the founder of the Kennedy Forum, which unites the community of mental health, and co-founded One Mind for Research, a global leader in open science collaboration in brain research.

You’re the Worst is a romantic comedy on FXX Network from writer and executive producer Stephen Falk. Starring Aya Cash and Chris Geere, it’s the story of self-destructive PR executive Gretchen and self-involved writer Jimmy. In the second season, it is revealed that Gretchen is suffering from clinical depression. A difficult topic for a comedy, You’re the Worst shines a light on clinical depression boldly and authentically while still keeping the show funny. It has been heralded by many as the most accurate portrayal of clinical depression on television to date.

MHA’s 2017 Media Award recognized documentary filmmaker Ben Selkow for BURIED ABOVE GROUND, a film that explores the harrowing stories of three Americans living with the burdens of PTSD.

MHAs 2017 Clifford W. Beers Award was presented to mental health advocate Brandon Staglin. The Clifford W. Beers Award is presented annually to mental health consumers who best reflect the example set by MHA founder Clifford W. Beers in his or her efforts to improve conditions for and attitudes toward people living with mental health conditions. Brandon is the Director of Marketing and Communications for Staglin Family Vineyard and One Mind Institute, and Board Director for One Mind and One Mind Institute. Brandon’s recovery from schizophrenia makes him happy every day he can contribute to the health of others.

MHA’s 2017 Media Award recognized David Solomon, Executive Producer at Pittsburgh PBS affiliate WQED, for his years of work developing compelling documentaries, including most recently Before Stage 4: Confronting Early Psychosis.

MHA’s 2017 Media Award recognized illustrator Gemma Correll for her impactful depictions of life with mental illness.

MHA’s 2017 Media Award recognized journalist Jaclyn Cosgrove from The Oklahoman for her year-long series Epidemic Ignored.

MHA’s 2017 George Goodman and Ruth P. Brudney Social Work Award goes to Kate Mahoney, a licensed clinical social worker, currently serves as Executive Director of the Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute for Mental Health Education at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Kate’s role involves delivering educational and skill-building sessions to youth and adults to promote mental wellness, providing support to individuals and families directly impacted by mental illness, and advocating to reduce stigma and discrimination against individuals grappling with mental health challenges.

MHA’s Innovation in Programming Award, which recognizes the continuing innovation and creativity of the MHA affiliate network in program development and implementation, was presented to MHA of New York City. MHA-NYC is the first organization in the country to offer evidence-based online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with live telephone, text and chat supports. With this innovative program, MHA-NYC not only tackled the problems of delays in access to care but also the shortage of clinicians trained to deliver CBT for a range of common behavioral health conditions.

MHA’s 2017 mPower Award was presented to 17-year-old Nadia Ghaffari. A junior at Los Altos High School, Nadia is also the founder of the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization TeenzTalk.org and the author of the children’s book Growing a Brain. Nadia was inspired to start a peer movement to build a community of compassionate teens and mental health activists who are educated on how to be well and prioritize wellness, after her own experience with aiding in the prevention of a close friend’s suicide. TeenzTalk.org acts as a global peer-to-peer forum where teens can interact with each other through videos, learn from each other’s experiences, access a huge variety of professional resources, and inspire each other to stay hopeful and resilient.

MHA’s 2017 Media Award recognized Netflix and its remake of One Day at a Time for shining an important light on depression and post-traumatic stress.

MHA’s 2018 Media Award recognized Netflix Original Series, 13 Reasons Why, for elevating the dialogue across the county between parents, students, and mental health advocates on the epidemic of teen suicide, depression, and bullyi