THE VOICE AWARDS

Brooke Shields, Maurice Benard, Hollywood Writers and Producers Honored at Voice Awards

Brooke Shields, Maurice Benard and Spanish language television network Univision received federal government honors for increasing mental health awareness along with over 50 other writers and producers from productions such as “The Aviator,” “ER,” and “Monk” at The Voice Awards on Wednesday, July 20th 2005 in Los Angeles.

July 2005 (Newstream) -- Writers and producers from productions such as “The Aviator,” “ER,” and “Monk” were honored for their positive, accurate and dignified portrayals of people with mental health problems at The Voice Awards on Wednesday July 20th 2005. Brooke Shields, Maurice Benard and Spanish language television network Univision received federal government honors for increasing mental health awareness. Writer/producer Neal Baer received a special Career Achievement Award at the awards ceremony hosted by Mariette Hartley and Kathleen Sullivan. The event was held at the Skirball Cultural Center’s Ahmanson Ballroom in Los Angeles.

Writers and producers from more than 50 productions were nominated for Voice Awards, which are sponsored by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Baer co-created the character of Maggie Lockhart (Sally Field), a woman who faces and recovers from schizophrenia, on NBC’s “ER,” and as executive producer of “Law and Order: SVU,” he has created several characters with mental health problems. Shields recently wrote a book about her experiences with postpartum depression. Benard, who has bipolar disorder and is an outspoken mental health advocate, is best known for his Emmy Award winning role of Sonny Corinthos on ABC’s “General Hospital.” Univision devoted extensive coverage to mental health awareness through its “Salud es Vida…¡Entérate!” (Health Is Life… Inform Yourself!) initiative. Sullivan and Hartley, both of whom have bipolar disorder, are outspoken advocates for mental health awareness. Sullivan is also a member of SAMHSA’s National Advisory Council

Representing the federal government was SAMHSA Administrator Charles G. Curie and SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services Director A. Kathryn Power. Besides the entertainment awards, the Voice Awards will recognize mental health advocates for their efforts on behalf of mental health awareness. The Voice Awards are part of SAMHSA’s Elimination of Barriers Initiative (EBI), a collaborative pilot effort between SAMHSA and state mental health authorities in eight states. For details, visit www.allmentalhealth.samhsa.gov/voiceawards .

SAMHSA is a public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity and effectiveness of the nation’s substance abuse prevention, addictions treatment and mental health service delivery systems.

For more information, go to www.samhsa.gov