LIVE WEBCAST: Cyndi Lauper, SAMHSA to Honor Youth Who Overcame Trauma and Their "Heroes of Hope" Who Enhanced Their Resilience

Lauper to be joined by HHS Secretary, SAMHSA Administrator, and other dignitaries at live tribute event Webcast from Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Grammy and Emmy award-winning artist and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality advocate Cyndi Lauper will celebrate the seventh annual National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day (Awareness Day) at the "Heroes of Hope" event on May 9 through a live Webcast event. Awareness Day is an annual observance of the importance of caring for every child's mental health sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will present Lauper with an award for her work on behalf of homeless LGBT youth through her foundation, the True Colors Fund. Together with SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde and Acting Assistant Secretary for the Administration on Children, Youth and Families George Sheldon, they will honor youth from across the country, as well as their Heroes of Hope—family members, providers, and the community members—who have helped them. Joint Surgeon of the National Guard Bureau Major General Joseph K. Martin, Jr., will be among the dignitaries at the event.

This year's national event in Washington, D.C., will be emceed by Emmy award-winning news anchor Leon Harris from ABC-7/WJLA-TV. The program will feature stories of resilience from youth across the country and performances in tribute to their Heroes of Hope, the caring adults that helped enhance their resilience following traumatic experiences.

For more information about Awareness Day and to view the list of collaborating organizations, visit http://www.samhsa.gov/children. Follow #HeroesofHope to join the conversation about National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day 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.

SOURCE Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)