SAN DIEGO—Former Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary, Robert McDonald and former Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) were honored April 6 at the second annual PsychArmor Institute’s “Bridging the Gap” gala at San Diego Air and Space Museum in Balboa Park.
More than 200 community, political and business leaders attended the gala which served as a fundraiser for PsychArmor Institute, a nonprofit organization that provides free education and support to all Americans who care for military veterans suffering from substance abuse and mental health ailments.
Former Under Secretary of the Army, and former Congressman Patrick Murphy served as the event’s master of ceremonies.
“This is such an amazing opportunity to be able to recognize these two great American patriots and showcase the work they’ve done to bridge the civilian-military gap,” said PsychArmor CEO and founder, Marjorie Morrison.
Secretary McDonald, retired president and CEO of Procter & Gamble, received the Humanitarian Award for his distinguished service to the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Nominated by President Obama, McDonald provided veterans immediate access to same day services in primary and mental health care in all VA Medical Centers. McDonald is credited by more than 25 different veteran service organizations for putting the agency back on the right path.
“PsychArmor’s what we used to call in the military a force multiplier,” said McDonald. “PsychArmor Institute takes that a big step further and reaches out, teaches, and equips people who want to help veterans, but who, perhaps, just aren’t sure how.”
Congressman Kennedy, author of “A Common Struggle,” founder of The Kennedy Forum, and co-founder of One Mind, received the Advocacy Award for his work in mental health. During his term in the House of Representatives, Kennedy has authored and co-sponsored multiple bills to increase the understanding and treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including the National Neurotechnology Initiative Act, the Genomics and Personalized Medicine Act, the COMBAT PTSD Act, and the Alzheimer’s Treatment and Caregiver Support Act.
During his 16-year career representing Rhode Island in Congress, he also fought a national battle to end medical and societal discrimination against these illnesses, highlighted by his lead sponsorship of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.
“We have no greater obligation as a society than to support our nation’s veterans,” Kennedy said. “Not only does PsychArmor understand this commitment, they live it every day. “I am honored to receive the 2017 Advocacy Award on behalf of all veterans, their caregivers, families, and those who support them.”
“No one has done more than Patrick to destigmatize mental health-for both military and civilians-and to shine a light on the issue of parity for mental health and substance abuse disorders,” Morrison said.
PsychArmor Institute’s “Helping you Help Veterans” support line provides continual assistance and vetted resources to civilians, ensuring they are armed with the tools needed to effectively assist military veterans and their families.
For more information on PsychArmor Institute, visit www.PsychArmor.org.
