The 2008 Voice Awards Roll Out The Red Carpet
HOLLYWOOD, CA (5/28/08) — The 2008 Voice Awards ceremony took place at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, CA, on Wednesday, May 28. The event, which was hosted by award-winning actor and mental health advocate Joe Pantoliano and Hairspray film star Nikki Blonsky, brought together people from the entertainment industry and consumer and advocacy communities. The event celebrates the contributions of entertainment writers and producers as well as mental health consumers to encourage others to join in the effort to educate people about mental illness and the reality of recovery.
Entertainment winners were recognized for incorporating dignified, respectful, and accurate depictions of people living with mental health problems into their film and television productions. Consumer winners were recognized for their contributions as community leaders to both raise awareness and understanding of mental health issues and promote acceptance and support for individuals with mental health problems.
The 2008 ceremony honored 26 films, shows, and individuals during a theatre-style awards presentation and after-party celebration in the historic Bronson Gate Courtyard. Entertainment winners included productions such as “The Sopranos,” “House,” “Dirt,” “Friday Night Lights,” and Reign Over Me. Consumer awards were bestowed on eight mental health advocates and community leaders for their work to raise awareness about the prevalence of mental health problems and to help ensure that people are able to access services and supports that assist recovery.
Oscar-winner Sally Field also received the first ever award from Pantoliano’s No Kidding Me Too! non-profit organization at the Voice Awards’ after party-celebration for her exemplary work in film and television educating the public about mental illness.
The 2008 Voice Awards were made possible by the invaluable assistance and support provided by its program partners. This distinguished list of partner organizations includes:
- everyminute.org
- The Advertising Council
- Alliance Healthcare Foundation
- American Counseling Association
- American Psychiatric Foundation
- American Psychological Association
- The California Endowment
- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
- Mental Health America
- Mental Health Media Partnership
- NAMI
- NARSAD
- National Association of Social Workers
- National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors
- National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare
- No Kidding, Me Too!
- RTI International
- Writers Guild of America, west
Find out more about the 2008 Voice Award Winners and Event.
