Awards are presented at our annual Victory for Mental Health advocacy award dinner on Thursday evening, September 19th.
MHV presents the award annually to individuals who do one or more of the following:
- Protect the rights of Virginians living with mental illness
- Amplify the needs of Virginians experiencing mental illness and expose the systemic barriers preventing them from being met
- Advance equitable health outcomes for Virginians with mental illness
- Change a system or institutional culture to value mental health
This year there will be three awards, all representing lived experience in action.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT:
State Senator Creigh Deeds, for over 10 years of inspirational leadership in transforming Virginia’s behavioral health system.
SYSTEM INSIDER:
Ashley Harrell, LCSW, Behavioral Health Senior Advisor for Addiction and Recovery Treatment Services at the Department of Medical Assistance Services, for her advocacy within the system to recognize the value of Certified Peer Recovery Specialists, and to double the Medicaid rate for their services.
PEER ALLSTAR:
Cristy Corbin, CPRS, HFW-FSP, President of Family Support Partners of Virginia, for her leadership in establishing family peer support as a recognized recovery model for Virginia families.
The Victory for Mental Health event includes:
- Mental health resource and sponsor information
- Featured selections from our online recovery art auction
- A Buffet Dinner catered by Garnish
- Presentation of our 3 Mental Health Advocacy Champion Awards
Plus, Recovery Poetry – Special Guests!
We’re delighted that Carla and Nick Pappas, authors of Poetry and Peers, will join us to read a few selections from their recent book about their journey to recovery through peer support. The book represents: “Our struggle, our path to recovery and to each other; the meaning of peer support, love and living a life of purpose.”
Thank you to our event sponsors!
