SAMHSA to honor "Parenthood" writer and producer Jason Katims at 2014 Voice Awards

SAMHSA to honor "Parenthood" writer and producer Jason Katims at 2014 Voice Awards

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will honor Jason Katims, writer and executive producer of NBC's "Parenthood" and "Friday Night Lights," with a Career Achievement Award at the 2014 Voice Awards. Mr. Katims is being recognized for his efforts to educate television audiences about the experiences of people dealing with behavioral health problems and their journeys of recovery.

The Voice Awards program brings together representatives from the entertainment industry and the behavioral health community to build awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders and the power of recovery.

The awards program also recognizes consumer/peer leaders who share their personal stories of resilience to demonstrate that people with mental and/or substance use disorders can recover and lead meaningful lives. Consumer/Peer Leadership Awards will be presented to Lacy Kendrick Burk, Matt Canuteson, Greg Dicharry, Patrick Hendry, and Toni Jordan. The Young Adult Leadership Award will be presented to Sean Campbell.

Jean Campbell will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for her extraordinary leadership in advancing the recovery movement through consumer-focused research and evaluation.

The Voice Awards also honor writers and producers who incorporate dignified, respectful, and accurate portrayals of people with behavioral health challenges into film and television productions. This year's finalists include Frankie & Alice, Home, Short Term 12, The Spectacular Now, "Elementary," "Mike & Molly," "Mom," and "Nashville."

WHAT: 2014 Voice Awards--www.samhsa.gov/voiceawards

WHEN: Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Pre-Event Meet and Greet--6 p.m. PDT
Awards Program--7:30 p.m. PDT

WHERE: Royce Hall at UCLA, 340 Royce Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90095

VISUAL: Award Winner, Host, and Presenter Photo Opportunities

To attend the event or request an interview, contact Matt Forke at 202-248-5484 (office) or 202-341-8973 (cell). For more information about the Voice Awards and to view the list of collaborating organizations, visit www.samhsa.gov/voiceawards. To join the Voice Awards conversation, like SAMHSA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/samhsa and follow @samhsagov and #VoiceAwards on Twitter.

SAMHSA is a public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.

CONTACT: Matt Forke, 202-248-5484 (office), 202-341-8973 (cell), mforke@vancomm.com; SAMHSA Press Office, 240-276-2130

/PRNewswire-USNewswire -- August 11, 2014/

SOURCE SAMHSA

SAMHSA


-------
Profile: intent