March 24, 2008

Supporting Individuals with Mental Illness a Rewarding Experience

Federation of Organization’s 27^th Annual Community Mental Health Awards Luncheon was well attended with over 300 mental health advocates, professionals, government leaders and consumers. The event, sponsored by Bank of America, celebrated the many accomplishments made in the service of individuals recovering from mental illness. 

Federation assists individuals and families to meet their own needs within their communities through self-help, provision of quality services, advocacy and development of resources. County Executive, Steve Levy paid tribute to Federation for the outstanding work it has done.  

Caitlin Carey, President and Founder, Out of the Silence, Inc., received the Youth Leadership Award. Caitlin has waged a 10 year battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder. In an effort to help others and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness she has created a web site www.stepoutofthesilence.org which allows individuals (ages 13 to 25) with a mental illness to find discussion forums and articles about relevant topics by mental health professionals including such subjects as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders and self/substance abuse. 

The keynote speaker, Peter M. Rivera, New York State Assemblyman, Chair, Committee on Mental Health, spoke of the role that constituents have in the allocation of funds in a difficult budget year. He affirmed that legislation comes from a discussion with the public in order to use limited resources in the most effective way. As the committee Chairman, Assemblyman Rivera convened the Mental Hygiene Work Group to reorganize the Mental Health System in NYS. 

Federation of Organizations is a not-for profit human services agency serving Long Island and New York City. It has been recognized as a pioneer in developing consumer-driven, community based services for individuals recovering from mental illness. For Further information, call Federation of Organizations at 631-669-5355 or visit their website at www.fedoforg.org.

PHOTO CAPTION: (l-r) – Ruth DelCol, Director of Development, Federation of Organizations; Steve Levy, Suffolk County Executive; Peter Rivera, NYS Assemblyman; Caitlin Carey, President, Out of the Silence, Inc.; Doris Wagner, Chief Administrative Officer, Federation of Organizations; Philip Matcovsky, Chief  Operating Officer, Federation of Organizations; Barbara Faron, Chief Executive Officer, Federation of Organizations.