Mental Health Advocate Recognized for Her Work Using the Power of
Story to Replace Stigma and Discrimination with Respect and Unity
SANTA CRUZ, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
Listening Well, a social enterprise serving the mental health
field, announces that its founder and CEO, Paula Comunelli, received a
Voice Award from the United States Department of Health and Human
Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA).
Ms. Comunelli was one of five individual recipients honored with
Consumer Leadership Awards. In addition, six television productions,
two documentaries and four feature films were honored on Wednesday,
May 28, 2008, at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, Calif.
The Voice Awards recognizes mental health leaders and advocates
such as Ms. Comunelli, who have been instrumental in raising awareness
and understanding of mental health issues and helping to ensure that
people are able to access services and supports that assist recovery.
The Awards also recognize writers and producers of entertainment
productions that emphasize the positive journey of recovery from
mental health problems. "I for one am so impressed by all that Paula
has done to give voice to the issues connected with mental health
issues," says 2008 Voice Awards Consumer Liaison, SAMHSA, Jennifer
Brown. "I think she is a terrific choice for this award."
Ms. Comunelli, who lives with "the gifts and challenges" of
bipolar disorder, founded Listening Well in 2001 to develop mental
health leaders who consult, facilitate, train and model behaviors that
focus on personal strengths. Listening Well is a client-run
organization committed to using the power of story to replace stigma
and discrimination with respect and unity.
A key element of the Listening Well curriculum is the Listening
Well Experience (LWE), a personal exploration designed to deepen
self-knowledge, enhance leadership capacity, and further the human
experience. Listening Well's next major storytelling event, Stories of
Hope & Healing, will be held on Friday, May 30, 2008 at Holy Cross
Church in Santa Cruz, Calif.
Detailed information about Listening Well is available at
www.listeningwell.net.
Note to Editor: Paula Comunelli is available for interviews at
(831) 421-9393.
Attention! Business Communications
Barbara Lewis, 925-600-1606
attentionbc@earthlink.net
Copyright Business Wire 2008
