Candidate Forum on Mental Health Issues to be held in Norwalk

Norwalk, CT, September 06, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Keystone House, Inc. and Southwest Regional Mental Health Board, Inc. (SWRMHB) are hosting a Free Candidate Forum on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, 8:00 am - 10:00 am at Norwalk City Hall, 125 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, one in four adults—approximately 57.7 million Americans— experience a mental health disorder in a given year. One in 17 lives with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, major depression or bipolar disorder1 and about one in 10 children live with a serious mental or emotional disorder. Fewer than one-third of adults and one-half of children with a diagnosable mental disorder receive mental health services in a given year.

“Simply put, treatment works, if you can get it. But in America today, it is clear that many people living with mental illness are not provided with the essential treatment they need,” said Michael J. Fitzpatrick, executive director of NAMI National, National Alliance on Mental Illness.

The following are some of the issues the candidates will be focusing on.
• Housing
• Age appropriate services for Young Adult, ages 18-26
• Wrap-around services to support high utilizers of mental health services
• Legislative Support for CT not for profits
• Retain Grant Funding

All candidates from Norwalk and surrounding towns running for State Representative and Senate have been invited*.

"Having the opportunity to hear first hand how these candidates are going to handle funding and programs for mental health issues is critical to my voting decision. I attended the 2010 Keystone Candidate Forum and was very impressed with the information I got from each candidate," said Elizabeth Ball, Board Member at Keystone and President/Creative Director of TFI Envision, Inc. of Norwalk.

The mission of Keystone is to increase the ability of persons with disabilities to adjust to and remain in the community environments of their choice with personal success and satisfaction with as much independence as individually possible. Keystone’s residential services include two transitional housing programs, one long term housing program, a supportive apartment program and a psychosocial rehabilitation program. Keystone House, Inc. was incorporated in the state of Connecticut in 1972.

Keystone House was founded in 1972 as a non-profit organization providing rehabilitation services for individuals with psychiatric disorders. Keystone started with one home serving 12 clients, growing over the years to presently operating two group home level of care facilities with an additional facility providing long term supports. Their supported apartment program provides residential support for individuals with psychiatric disorders, those dually diagnosed with a co-occurring substance abuse disorder and those homeless or at risk of homelessness. The Community Living Center program offers social, cultural, educational, and rehabilitative programs as well as recreational opportunities. Currently, Keystone House programs and services assist nearly 300 clients per year.

The mission of SWRMHB is to ensure a quality system of comprehensive, recovery oriented mental health and addiction services that enhances the quality of life and well being of all residents of Southwest Connecticut.

RSVP to Anisha Thomas at (203)840-1187 or by email swrmhb2@optonline.net. Early registration is recommended as seating is limited. If you have any questions, contact Kim O’Rielly, Executive Director, Southwest Regional Mental Health Board or Anisha Thomas at 203-840-1178.

*Event Sponsors are non-partisan and do not endorse any candidates.