NEWS RELEASE

APNA joins the Campaign for Mental Health Reform

We are thrilled to announce that as of August 2008, APNA has been welcomed as the newest member of the Campaign for Mental Health Reform. The Campaign is now a collaboration of 18 national organizations collaborating to work towards a common goal of making mental health a national priority by provided a unified voice on federal mental health policy.

APNA is the first nursing organization invited to be a part of the Campaign for Mental Health Reform. All 17 existing organizations were polled to include APNA and came to a consensus expressed by William Emmet, Director of the Campaign, "The Campaign is a more representative and inclusive entity with APNA on board."

The 18 organizations monitor federal legislation, administration activity, and public education initiatives and contribute expertise. Together, the organizations in the Campaign represent millions of Americans who want to make sure that mental healthcare becomes a national priority.

The 18 organizations of the Campaign for Mental Health Reform:

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

American Psychiatric Association

American Psychiatric Nurses Association

American Psychological Association

CHADD - Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health

Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors

National Coalition of Mental Health Consumer/Survivor Organizations

National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare

National Empowerment Center

Mental Health America

National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse

Suicide Prevention Action Network USA

United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association

APNA is proud to join the Campaign for Mental Health Reform. This is an opportunity to give nurses a voice at a very important and influential table.