Critical Lessons in Mental Health Care Management and Education at the NAMI California Annual Conference, August 27 and 28 in Burlingame

Online, August 23, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Harsh stigma, insufficient care programs, ill-informed legislation, and lack of education; these realities continue to prevent successful treatment and recovery of individuals suffering from mental illnesses and derail the efforts of family members to help their ill loved ones.

NAMI California seeks to change these realities.

Volunteers, health care providers, law enforcement, legislators, educators, advocates, consumers of mental health services and their family members from the 71 NAMI Affiliates throughout California will gather at the 2010 National Alliance on Mental Illness California's (NAMI California) Annual Conference to discuss the realities of mental illness in California and across the U.S. The Conference will be held on Friday, August 27 and Saturday, August 28 at the San Francisco Airport Marriott in Burlingame, CA. All groups and community members touched by mental illness are invited to register and attend.

The Conference theme, "Lighting the Way to Recovery Together," is expressed in numerous ways throughout the wide range of educational sessions offered at this year's two day event. Presentations from national and statewide professionals, researchers, peers, and families will address the latest treatment options, upcoming legislation, program development, community leadership, and effective ways to correct the educational, legal, and social problems that have created ineffective systems of care for the mentally ill in our country. A special Consumer Workshop will help empower consumers to take leadership positions in NAMI California's Affiliate programs.

"Recovery occurs in various ways across a broad spectrum of successful outcomes," said Dr. Trula M. LaCalle, Executive Director of NAMI California. "This conference will give us an opportunity to learn from professionals as well as share personal stories that remind us of both our common paths and the unique ways in which individuals and families have met the challenges of serious mental illness."

Keynote speaker Mariette Hartley, Emmy Award winning actress and bestselling author, will kick off the conference with her address "Breaking the Silence: Removing the Stigma and the Road to Recovery."

The Conference is open to the public. Registration is required; attendees may register to attend one day of the Conference (either August 27 or August 28) for $145 or the entire 2-day event for $205. Reduced rates are available for mental health consumers. For late registration call 916-567-0163. Registration on-site is available. www.namicalifornia.org.