Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News
August 11, 2006, Vol. 06-88

SAMHSA Convenes Regional Meetings for Mational Anti-Stigma Campaign

In support of the upcoming National Anti-Stigma Campaign (NASC), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will hold a series of regional meetings to assist States and localities in implementing the campaign. The NASC is a nationwide television, radio and print public service advertising program sponsored by SAMHSA and developed by the Advertising Council (Ad Council). It is aimed at addressing stigma among young adults age 18 to 25, as well as the general public, and is expected to launch in early October.

You are invited to attend one of the meetings, which are free and are designed to equip State and local attendees to partner with SAMHSA in implementing the campaign and promoting anti-stigma efforts on the State and local level. You will be responsible for your own travel, lodging and meal expenses. (There are no scholarships available for travel, lodging and meals except for two persons named by each State department of mental health.) The meeting schedule is as follows. Please RSVP to the appropriate address below.

Region 1 - Los Angeles, California

Friday, August 25, 2006

10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Los Angeles Convention Center

1201 South Figueroa Street

Los Angeles, CA 90015

rsvpLA@vancomm.com

Region 2 - Denver, Colorado

Monday, September 11, 2006

10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Colorado History Museum, Boettcher Auditorium

1300 Broadway

Denver, CO 80203

rsvpDENVER@vancomm.com

Region 3 - Washington, DC

Monday, September 18, 2006

10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Rooms A & B

2000 Florida Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20009

rsvpDC@vancomm.com

Region 4 - Chicago, Illinois

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Navy Pier

Room 328

600 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

rsvpCHICAGO@vancomm.com

Each full-day meeting will feature a sneak preview of the NASC as well as presentations and training by SAMHSA officials, Ad Council experts, and statewide and local community outreach leaders on supporting public service campaigns, media relations, the consumer and family experience, the technical resources of SAMHSA's Resource Center to Address Discrimination and Stigma (ADS Center), and more. Representatives from State departments of mental health, nonprofits in the areas of mental health and youth outreach, foundations, and consumer and family advocates are encouraged to attend.

Registration for the meetings is easy -- just RSVP by sending a note with your contact information to the appropriate RSVP email box above. Please note that seating is limited so you are encouraged to register early to ensure your participation.

Please also share this information with anyone who may be interested in attending
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The Center for Mental Health Services is a component of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services.