THE HEALTH ACTION NETWORK ANNOUNCES RETHINKING MENTAL ILLNESS" PROCOVERY TRAINING CONFERENCE, OCTOBER 3-4, 2003 AT USC DAVIDSON CONFERENCE CENTER

On October 3 and 4, 2003 at the USC Davidson Conference Center, the Health Action Network, is holding a 2-day Procovery Training Conference, Rethinking Mental Illness: The Power of Procovery," co-sponsored by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and hosted by the USC School of Policy, Planning and Development. Procovery is an innovative healthcare-community empowerment model can transform the lives of those with serious mental illness.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) September 21, 2003 - On October 3 and 4, 2003 at the USC Davidson Conference Center, the Health Action Network, is holding a 2-day Procovery Training Conference, Rethinking Mental Illness: The Power of Procovery," co-sponsored by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and hosted by the USC School of Policy, Planning and Development.

The training will be conducted by Kathleen Crowley, Director of Procovery Training and Development for the Health Action Network and author of The Power of Procovery in Healing Mental Illness: Just Start Anywhere.

It is easy to feel paralyzed by what seems an overwhelming task of overcoming serious mental illness," said Crowley. By studying individuals who have succeeded in overcoming mental illness, we have identified basic inspirational principles and concrete, practical, proven strategies that dont cost more, dont take more time, but use the power that all individuals have-consumers, family members and staff-regardless of the limitations of symptoms and systems. Regardless of whether an individual can recover" in the traditional sense of returning to a prior state of health", all individuals can move forward to procover, to find and build new dreams and new purpose in life."

The Health Action Network is a 501(c)(3) non-profit (www.procovery.com) new to Los Angeles with the mission of empowering individuals in healthcare. Randy Stratt, Executive Director, said, We have identified a model of 8 principles and 12 strategies for overcoming mental illness that can change lives for consumers and families, and a Procovery Circle community empowerment model that we look forward to bringing to Los Angeles. Much of what makes a difference in overcoming mental illness revolves around finding inspiration and hope, and developing practical skills for life with illness-these are paths that faith and community organizations travel better than anyone. The fact is that health care organizations can only do so much, and with health care costs continuing to spiral, community-healthcare collaborations will be central to preventing a crisis of mental health care. Procovery can serve as a bridge in building these collaborations."

Stratt continued, There is an entire industry aimed at teaching skills to maximize use of our educational system-from study skills to testing preparation to school selection to learning centers. Shouldnt there be a comparable industry to teach skills to navigate and maximize use of our much more complex mental healthcare system?"

The Power of Procovery in Healing Mental Illness: Just Start Anywhere was written as a fundraiser with all profits going to support the Health Action Network. The book has a foreword by William Anthony, Ph.D., Executive Director and Professor, Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. The Power of Procovery is available online (http://www.procovery.com and http://www.amazon.com ) and directly through the Health Action Network. Crowley served on Tommy Thompsons Wisconsin Blue Ribbon Commission on Mental Health and speaks, trains and consults nationally on Procovery.

Stratt noted, Procovery can positively impact the stigma of mental illness by helping individuals with mental illness to attain productive and fulfilling lives. At times of budget crises it is more important than ever to do something different. Procovery teaches us to do more with less by doing differently. Ironically, the stigma of mental illness touches funding as well-as we expand our work, the Health Action Network is actively seeking benefactors, philanthropists and foundations to help expand and disseminate this innovative and transformative work through a series of Pilot Procovery Partnering Projects."

Community Event Notice: Rethinking Mental Illness: The Power of Procovery. A 2-day Procovery Training Conference. October 3-4, 2003, USC Davidson Conference Center. Hosted by USC School of Policy, Planning and Development and co-sponsored by County of Los Angeles Department of Mental Health. Attendance is limited and pre-registration required. Information and registration at http://www.procovery.com or by calling the Health Action Network at 323-571-0659.
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