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mpower Youth Awards Recognize
Youth Educators and Advocates
Alexandria, VA. (June 10, 2004) – The
National Mental Health Association will recognize four young
individuals for
their efforts to educate their communities about mental illness
and advocate for better policies and services. NMHA will present
these outstanding youth with the mpower youth awards on Saturday,
June 12, during the NMHA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.
The mpower youth award winners are:
-
 Kristina Hebner,
a 17-year-old from Staten Island, NY, has transformed her
experiences with mental illness
into a positive force by becoming a Youth Advocate for
the
Mental Health Association of New York City’s Coordinated
Children’s Services Initiative. As the Youth Advocate,
Kristina founded "M.Y.P.A.T.H," a support group
for youth with mental illnesses, and is currently developing
a youth empowerment project. Kristina also presents at
various conferences and travels to the state Capitol to
advocate
for a host of mental health issues, including improved
mental health care and increased training of law enforcement
and
emergency personnel.
-
 Adam Oates,
a 14-year-old from Lawndale, NC, co-facilitates a support
group for youth
with mental
health concerns and recently led a youth rally called “Stomping
Out the Stigma.” Adam also speaks to various groups
and local and state officials about reducing the stigma
associated with youth who have mental illnesses.
Marley Prunty-Lara, a 19-year-old from
Sioux Falls, SD, is a passionate mental health advocate.
Marley spends much of her time lobbying for various pieces
of legislation, including mental health parity. Of note,
throughout June, Marley will meet with House and Senate leadership
to urge passage of the Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable
Treatment Act (S. 486/H.R. 953).
-
 Kristy Worthen, 25,
is a nationally acclaimed artist living in Salem, AR.
Kristy successfully parlayed
her artistic talent into mental health advocacy through
her creation of a “Mental Health Flag,” which is
on a national tour being displayed or flown at each state
capitol in order to increase awareness of mental health issues
and decrease stigma. Kristy also speaks at national and state
conferences for mental health groups and has participated
in dozens of TV news programs. Notably, Kristy’s
advocacy has included a private meeting with President
George W. Bush,
at which he pledged his support for mental health issues
by signing her flag.
The mpower youth awards were presented
at the closing night dinner of NMHA's annual conference,
Justice for All: Fighting
for America’s Mental Health, in Washington D.C., on June
12th, 2004 |
