A lot can happen in 10 years and for the Voice Awards program, a lot has.
Ten years ago, the consumer/peer leader community was working to develop a stronger
national voice. Today, it has one. People of diverse backgrounds and professions—actors,
athletes, comedians, business and military leaders, musicians, politicians—are not only
aware that behavioral health touches all of our lives, but also are championing the reality
that recovery is possible.
Ten years ago, the entertainment industry had only begun to join the behavioral health
conversation. Today, television and film productions that emphasize the positive journey
of recovery from behavioral health conditions have become commonplace. Writers and
producers are creating behavioral health storylines and characters with mental and/or
substance use disorders that are not only more prominent, but also multidimensional.
Since 2005, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
has—through the Voice Awards event—showcased personal experiences and impactful
programming to demonstrate that recovery from behavioral health challenges happens
every day. These stories of recovery educate the public and the entertainment industry
about behavioral health and promote more realistic representations and perceptions of
people with mental and/or substance use disorders.
But we have not done it alone. Over the last 9 years, the Voice Awards program has
developed meaningful partnerships with organizations whose values and missions mirror
our own, and who share our commitment to ensuring that these stories are being shared in
every community.
So what’s next?
In many ways, the nation has only begun to shift how it talks about behavioral health. Our
task, therefore, is to continue inserting messages of hope, resilience, and recovery into the
narrative. Only then can we contribute to a better informed and more compassionate society.
Will you join us in this important work?
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