Kathleen Sebelius to Keynote 2013 National Council Conference

HHS Secretary Says It's Time to Bring Mental Illness Out of the Shadows

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will keynote the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare's conference in Las Vegas, April 8-10.

"Secretary Sebelius has shown outstanding leadership during challenging times, and has found tremendous opportunities in those challenges," said Linda Rosenberg, president and CEO of the National Council. "She continues to demonstrate that mental health and addictions care is a federal priority and vital to the overall health of all Americans."

Secretary Sebelius has led our nation's health systems through budget cuts and Congress gridlock and is the foremost champion for the Medicaid expansion that will give millions more people living with mental illnesses and addictions access to the treatment and services they need.

Secretary Sebelius will address 3,500 community behavioral health organizations executives and professionals, offering insight into the leadership traits that will foster opportunities to improve care for the 1 in 5 Americans who have mental illness or addiction disorders through the Affordable Care Act, the federal government's new National Dialogue on Mental Health, and the tragically begot opportunities in a post-Sandy Hook world.

In a recent USA Today editorial, Secretary Sebelius noted, "The good news is that when people do seek help, we have much more effective treatments and supportive services than we did 50 years ago. The proof is the tens of millions of Americans with mental health conditions who are living healthy lives and contributing to their communities. But people will only take advantage of this progress if they are not afraid to seek help. Now is the time to work together to banish those fears and bring mental health out of the shadows once and for all."

For more on the 2013 National Council Conference, visit www.TheNationalCouncil.org/Conference.

The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare is the unifying voice of America's community mental health and addictions treatment organizations. Together with our 2,000 member organizations, we serve our nation's most vulnerable citizens — the more than 8 million adults and children living with mental illnesses and addiction disorders. We are committed to ensuring all Americans have access to comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery and full participation in community life. The National Council pioneered Mental Health First Aid in the U.S. and has trained nearly 100,000 individuals to connect youth and adults in need to mental health and addictions care in their communities. Learn more at www.TheNationalCouncil.org.

Contact: Heather Cobb, [email protected], 202.684.7457 x277

SOURCE National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare