Nov. 15 Summit Set to Develop Action Plan on Tobacco Cessation For People with Behavioral Health Disorders

ALBANY, NY (11/12/2010)(readMedia)-- A select group of leaders of New York State's behavioral and public healthcare fields representing state and local governments, mental health providers and recipients, researchers and educators have been invited to participate in New York State's first behavioral health-focused partnership on tobacco cessation. The goal of the Nov. 15 summit will be to produce an action plan for reducing smoking and to foster smoke-free living among behavioral health consumers and staff. New York is one of five states selected to join the Leadership Academies for Wellness and Smoking Cessation, offered by the Smoking Cessation Leadership Center (SCLC) and the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

WHO:

Michael F. Hogan, PhD, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health

Steven Schroeder, M.D., Director, Smoking Cessation Leadership Center and Distinguished Professor of Health and Health Care, Dept. of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco

Gregory Miller, M.D., Medical Director, New York State Office of Mental Health Adult Services

Approx. 30 Public and Private Sector Leaders representing a broad range of stakeholders in New York State’s behavioral and public healthcare fields
WHAT:

People with behavioral health disorders are disproportionately burdened by the harmful effects of smoking and tobacco use.  Studies have found that people with serious mental illness die, on average, 25 years earlier than the general population, largely due to treatable medical conditions that are caused by modifiable risk factors such as smoking, substance abuse, obesity and inadequate access to medical care.  Participants will design an action plan that addresses the issue of tobacco dependence, and leave the summit with strategies to share consumers and clinicians.  The goals of the Leadership Academies for Wellness and Smoking Cessation are to reduce smoking and nicotine addiction among behavioral health consumers and staff, and to create an environment of cooperation and collaboration among the fields of public health (including tobacco control and prevention), mental health and substance abuse prevention.
WHEN: Monday November 15, 2010 at 08:30AM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: Desmond Hotel and Conference Center
660 Albany Shaker Road
Albany , New York 12211
NOTES:

Agenda:

8:00 am – Sign-in begins, continental breakfast.

9:15 am - OMH Commissioner Hogan welcomes the group. Media availability before and after.

9:30 am - Dr. Schroeder reviews research findings, innovations and challenges related to smoking cessation.  Discussion of effective strategies undertaken by other behavioral healthcare providers.  . Media availability before and after.

9:45 am - Remainder of day is facilitated discussion and workgroups.

Media availability with participants during lunch break - 12:15 - 12:45 pm