2008 Mental Health CHAMPIONS
Celebrating the outstanding achievements of Missourians
with mental health challenges.
The first Mental Health Champions Banquet was held April 16, 2008, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. The ceremony is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Mental Health and the Missouri Mental Health Foundation. For more information about available sponsorships, please e-mail opamail@dmh.mo.gov.
View Video tributes to the 2008 Mental Health Champions by clicking on the links below.
About the 2008 Champions
The Department of Mental Health provides services to about 170,000 Missourians each year, many of whom are making major progress in overcoming the challenges of mental illnesses, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities. Unfortunately, few of their personal stories are known. To address this, the department is recognizing the accomplishments of some of these individuals with the first-ever Mental Health Champions recognition.
Three persons have been selected from statewide referrals as Mental Health Champions. They are representative of individuals with mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, and persons in recovery from substance or gambling addictions. They are persons who have overcome their personal challenges to make life better for others and for their communities.
Nan Chamberlain, Dan Lalone, and Theresa Taylor are the Mental Health Champions for 2008.
- Nan earned a master’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, created a college curriculum for incoming social-work students, and today works at a Community Mental Health Center in Mexico, Mo.
- Dan, along with his family and friends, led an effort in Springfield to establish an apartment complex to provide independent living for persons with disabilities.
- Theresa founded Vision House in Cape Girardeau, a faith-based long-term transitional living center for homeless women with addictions.
"They are persons who inspire others. For years I have seen firsthand many inspiring stories of people doing exceptional things while overcoming their illnesses, developmental disabilities or substance abuse problems. This recognition is long overdue. One major way to break down the stigma that affects the people we serve is to bring their strengths and contributions to the forefront." - Mental Health Director, Keith Schafer.
Nan, Dan, and Theresa were honored at the first-ever Mental Health Champions banquet April 16, 2008, in Jefferson City. Learn more about the winners by viewing their video tributes.
Mental Health Champions 2009
2009 Nomination Brochure/Application (pdf)
Release Form (pdf) - required for all nominees
Recognizing Mental Health Champions
The Missouri Mental Health Foundation, the Missouri Department of Mental Health, and the mental health community will recognize three exceptional individuals who have demonstrated themselves as true “Champions” to the citizens of Missouri.
The Mental Health Champions Celebration Committee is seeking nominations of individuals whose actions and accomplishments exemplify commitment and courage in an effort to make life better for themselves and others in their communities.
The deadline for submission of nomination forms is October 30, 2008.
Judging and Selection
Nominations will be reviewed and finalists chosen by a panel of judges from mental health care and related fields.
The Mental Health Champions Selection Committee will be looking for examples of how individuals with mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, or substance abuse problems have overcome their challenges, whose actions and activities inspire others, and who are having positive impacts on their local communities.
The decisions of the judges are final.
Award Presentation
The winners will be honored at the Mental Health Champions Banquet, April 15, 2009, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. The Missouri Mental Health Foundation will host each Champion and one guest at the dinner and at the hotel for a one-night stay. Winners will receive a $1,000 cash prize.
Guidelines
Categories
Persons may be nominated in one of three categories:
1. An individual with a diagnosed mental illness
2. An individual with a developmental disability
3. An individual in recovery from a substance or gambling addiction
2009 Nominations
2009 Nomination Brochure/Application (pdf)
Deadline for submissions is October 30, 2008
