Senator Deeds delivered keynote address about mental health reform at Recovery Workforce Summit

(McLean, VA, June 25, 2014) – Senator Creigh Deeds led a keynote session at the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association’s (PRA) Recovery Workforce Summit: 2014 PRA Annual Conference Monday in Baltimore, Maryland. Senator Deeds spoke to the psychiatric rehabilitation community about mental health reform. Deeds called on the recovery workforce to put a face on mental illness by building and strengthening relationships with state and federal legislators. Senator Deeds was also awarded the Advocate Award at the Summit for his work to combat the stigma of mental illness.   

“Mental illness is not just like a broken bone that can be diagnosed with an x-ray and treated quickly with a cast,” said Senator Deeds. “It is complex, and the treatment and available services must likewise be complex. We need a system that allows for individuality and the flexibility to provide the right services for every person.

“Senator Deeds’ family's experience shines a bright light on the urgent need for recovery and rehabilitation services that support the wellness and health of people living with serious mental health conditions,” stated Dori Hutchinson, ScD, CPRP, PRA Board Chair. “He urged us to remember that we can all make a difference and we must act to call upon our legislators and policy makers to ensure inclusion of comprehensive rehabilitation and peer delivered services in mental health reform.” 

Senator Deeds began work on mental health after his son, who had a serious mental illness, died last year after being denied inpatient treatment. Senator Deeds is currently pushing the Virginia state legislature for mental health care reform. In his speech he provided some background on his personal experience with the mental health system, detailed his vision about what is needed long-term, and provided an overview of the specific changes he has already enacted in Virginia, including legislation he is currently working on. 

“Senator Deeds’ passion for mental health reform was made clear during his address at the Recovery Workforce Summit,” said Lisa Razzano, PhD, CPRP, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Foundation Chair. “He energized the psychiatric rehabilitation professionals in attendance about real progress that is being made and the exciting work ahead of us that will make a real difference in the well being of this country.”

The Recovery Workforce Summit: 2014 PRA Annual Conference, June 22-25 at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland is the key training, education, and networking event for the entire psychiatric rehabilitation workforce; including agency executives, educators and researchers, practitioners, and peer support providers. Learn more about the Recovery Workforce Summit on PRA’s website.