National Conference Organized by and for People with Psychiatric Histories to
Be Held in Omaha
OMAHA, Neb., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 23rd annual Alternatives
conference, the only national mental health conference organized by and for
mental health consumers/survivors, will be held October 28 to November 1,
2009, at the Hilton Omaha, 1001 Cass Street, in Omaha, Nebraska.
The theme of Alternatives 2009 http://www.alternatives2009.org is "Uniting Our
Movement for Change." "Although our movement can encompass a wide array of
philosophies, we can unite around common goals: to guarantee that individuals
diagnosed with mental illnesses have all the opportunities, rights and
responsibilities available to everyone else, including the right to pursue a
meaningful life and, to echo Nebraska's state motto, 'equality before the
law,'" said Joseph Rogers, executive director of the National Mental Health
Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse, which is organizing the conference.
Each Alternatives conference offers in-depth technical assistance on
peer-delivered services and self-help/recovery methods. Beyond the exchange of
knowledge and networking, Alternatives offers a rich social, artistic, and
healing environment. When asked "one thing I learned that I will incorporate
into my life and/or my work," one earlier Alternatives attendee responded, "We
can influence the direction of the future."
Plenary session speakers will include A. Kathryn Power, director, Center for
Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (10/28, 6:30-9 p.m.); David Granirer, a counselor, stand-up
comic, author of "The Happy Neurotic: How Fear and Angst Can Lead to Happiness
and Success," and founder of "Stand Up for Mental Health," who performs around
North America (10/29, 8:30-9:30 a.m.); J. Rock Johnson, J.D., an
internationally known consumer advocate who is also an activist in her home
state of Nebraska (10/30, 8:30-9:30 a.m.); Andrew J. Imparato, Esq., president
and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the
country's largest national disability membership organization (10/31,
8:30-9:30 a.m.); and U.S. Senator and former Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns
(10/31, noon-1:15 p.m.). Judi Chamberlin, a pioneer in the mental health
consumer/survivor movement, will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award (10/31,
noon-1:15 p.m.).
The National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse
http://www.mhselfhelp.org is a consumer-run national technical assistance
center funded by the Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, which is also helping to sponsor the conference.
Contact: Joseph Rogers, National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help
Clearinghouse, 800-553-4539 x273; jrogers@mhasp.org
SOURCE National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse
Nathan Hulfish, National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse,
cell: +1-856-220-2610
