Brain & Behavior Research Foundation President & CEO Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D., Attends White House Conference on Mental Health & Presents in National Press Club Briefing

For immediate release: June 3, 2013

MEDIA ADVISORY/ EXPERT SOURCE

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation President & CEO Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D., Attends White House Conference on Mental Health & Presents in National Press Club Briefing

What:    Today Brain & Behavior Research Foundation President & CEO Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D., attended the National Conference on Mental Health hosted at the White House by President Barrack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. The event was convened to dispel mental illness stigma and encourage collaboration, care and support for the millions of Americans faced with mental illness.

Who:      Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein was among a handful of leaders representing both the psychiatric research and philanthropic fields at today’s conference, along with a wide swath of participants from people in recovery to leaders in health care, advocacy, education, faith and community organizations.

Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D., is a board-certified psychiatrist. In addition to his Foundation role, he serves as Editor-in-Chief of the American Psychiatric Association’s Psychiatric News and is Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Borenstein hosts the award-winning public TV series “Healthy Minds,” which is broadcast in dozens of markets across the U.S. and features a “Military Mental Health Mini-series” this season. He represented the Foundation at the April 2013 White House announcement of the B.R.A.I.N. Initiative—President Obama’s proposed public/private brain partnership to develop technology to map the human brain. For more: bbrfoundation.org/about/staff

Why:      The goal of today’s conference was for leaders throughout the mental health field and government to develop collaborations to reduce stigma and help the millions of Americans to recognize the importance of reaching out for assistance if they or someone they know experiences mental illness. The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation is answering the President’s call as a part of this national conversation to increase understanding about mental health by raising awareness of the importance of supporting scientific discovery that can lead to recovery from mental illness, enabling those affected to lead full, productive and happy lives.

Interview Requests:  Dr. Borenstein is available to comment on topics from the conference, including a perspective on the importance of public and private brain research funding and scientific discoveries.

Foundation Background: The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (formerly “NARSAD,” National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression) raises funds to invest in cutting-edge research projects to understand, treat and ultimately prevent and cure mental illness. Since 1987, the Foundation has awarded nearly $300 million in NARSAD Research Grants to more than 3,300 scientists around the world. Research projects are selected by the Foundation’s Scientific Council comprised of 138 leading experts across disciplines in brain and behavior research. The Foundation invests 100% of donor contributions for research directly into research grants.

More information: http://bbrfoundation.org/news-releases 

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