Nominations Sought for Mental Health/Substance Abuse Awards

The Wyoming Department of Health is seeking nominations of Wyoming residents who have shown unique and extraordinary leadership in helping those who suffer because of mental illness and/or substance abuse for the 2011 Starfish Thrower Awards.

“We want these awards to acknowledge those special individuals or groups who are working tirelessly to improve their own lives or the lives of others affected by mental illness and/or addictions,” said Korin Schmidt, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Division administrator with the Wyoming Department of Health.  “The issues people face touch all parts of a community. This year’s awards will also recognize a person who has demonstrated exceptional courage to address a community or statewide human needs issue.”

The name of the awards is based on a story about a young boy who throws starfish back in to the ocean to keep them from dying. “The boy agrees with someone who asks that he can’t save them all, but points out that what he is doing made a huge difference to the starfish he just touched,” Schmidt said.

“The challenges and impacts caused by mental illness and substance abuse are already known,” Schmidt said. “There are also many success stories out there and they are encouraging when shared.”

The Starfish Thrower Awards will specifically acknowledge:

· Person in recovery from substance abuse

· Person in recovery from mental illness

· Family or parents in recovery

· Person who has advocated for public change regarding substance abuse or mental health  issues

· Person or group under the age of 25 years who has contributed to changing substance abuse or mental health issues

· Organization, program, provider or coalition that has contributed to change on substance abuse or mental health issues

· Person, organization, provider, coalition or program that has made significant contributions to prevention in the field of substance abuse or mental health

· Substance abuse or mental health therapist

· A person who has demonstrated exceptional courage to address a community or statewide human needs issue

For details and a nomination form, visit http://health.wyo.gov/mhsa/initiatives/starfish2010.html online or call Janet Jares at 1-800-535-4006. The deadline for nominations is April 14. Awards will be presented at a June 15 luncheon in Cheyenne at the Little America Hotel and Resort.