Mariel Hemingway to be Honored at NAMI Westside Los Angeles Gala Celebrating Outstanding Achievements in the Mental Health Awareness Movement

NAMI Westside Los Angeles Continues to Raise Funds to Help One
in Four People and Their Families Affected By Mental Illness with Free Programs

WHAT:

Fact:  One in four people in the world will
experience a mental health issue in their lifetime.  25% of all people - it's a startling
statistic, but the National Alliance on Mental Illness is there to help
people when they are hit with this illness. 
NAMI Westside Los Angeles (NAMI WLA) raises funds to provide free help
with local support groups, phone crisis assistance and educational programs
for families and their loved ones to get information on mental health issues.
 These issues often come as a shock to
families and we are there to help them.   We
have helped thousands of families and want to continue to help many more with
additional funding and contributions from the public and Corporate Sponsors. 

Oscar nominated actress, best-selling author, and acclaimed
subject of the documentary film "Running From Crazy", Mariel Hemingway,
will receive a Leadership in Media Award for her work as a strong Mental
Health Advocate and Anti-Stigma Speaker.  
She will also discuss the impact seven suicides have had on her and
her family including her grandfather, Ernest Hemingway.   

Dr. Marvin J. Southard, Director of the Los
Angeles County Department of Mental Health, known as one of the largest
mental health organizations in the world, will receive his award for helping
hundreds of thousands in our community to receive mental health assistance:  The "Excellence in Public Service
Award".   Our other important
honoree, longtime NAMI WLA Board member, David Wright, has worked tirelessly
over the years to help those in need of mental health assistance.  He is one of the founding members and will
receive an "Excellence of Service" award for his generous
contributions and many years of service to NAMI WLA.  

Tickets
and Sponsorship Opportunities are available now.  Also, a matching grant has been generously
put in place by David Wright and his business partner, Kenneth L. Sleeper.  Please contact Lisa at NAMI WLA (310)
889-7200 if you would also like to purchase tickets, tables, and/or sponsor
our efforts and donate to help continue to provide these free services in our
communities to thousands of families.  

WHEN:

Wednesday,
May 28th,   Cocktails 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Awards Ceremony and Dinner begins at 7:30 PM  ~  Business
Attire

WHERE:

SLS
Hotel,  465 S. La Cienega
Boulevard,  Los Angeles, California

 ABOUT: 

NAMI
Westside Los Angeles is a grassroots organization that provides support,
education, and advocacy for families and individuals of all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds who live with mental illness. As one of the largest
affiliates of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the organization works
with state and national affiliates, and with other stakeholders in the
community, to educate the public, advocate for legislation, reduce stigma,
and improve the mental health system.

CONTACTS:    For Tickets or Donations:  Lisa
at NAMI WLA (310) 889-7200

For Press Opportunities:

Wendy Almasy,  Free Your Mind Projects, Inc. ~  Wendy@FYMPS.com   ~   (310)
317-6977

Facebook:
     www.facebook.com/NamiWestsideLosAngeles 

Twitter:          www.twitter.com/namiwla
 

####