National Wellness Summit
for People with Mental Illness

On September 17th and 18th, 2007 approximately 100 people participated in a summit in Rockville, Maryland to address the public health crisis of early mortality among people with mental illnesses.

Stacey Lesko and Lisa Rubenstein, CMHS at work during the Summit.

The objective of this two-day meeting, sponsored by the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, was to develop a coordinated and strategic action plan to promote wellness and reduce early mortality by convening multiple stakeholders including: representatives from Federal, State, County, mental health and primary care providers, researchers, consumers, families, funding agencies, accreditation bodies, advocates, and other groups.

This site shares many of the papers and presentations that took place and serves as a repository for The Pledge for Wellness, a commitment made by individuals and organizations to promote wellness for people with mental illnesses and to reduce early mortality. You can also find more information on background and history surrounding the important issue of early mortality. A strategic plan is in development and will be posted here when available.