Hogg Foundation for Mental Health

Austin MHMR Center Shows Appreciation to Hogg Foundation

June 1, 2005

The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health will be recognized for its contributions to Austin and the Austin Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center with an Outstanding Organization Award from the New Milestones Foundation at its annual Champions event on September 25 in Austin.

The award is in appreciation for the Hogg Foundation's support of mental health issues over the preceding year. In January, the foundation joined with Austin Mayor Will Wynn – who is also being honored with the Outstanding Leadership Award – and the Austin Travis County MHMR Center to establish a Mayor's Mental Health Task Force that explored ways to become a mentally fit community.

Soon after, the foundation also awarded ATCMHMR $100,000 to support the establishment of a Resiliency Clinic for brief therapeutic interventions and assistance in applying for appropriate medications for adults at the center. The award was part of the foundation's Special Mental Health Services Initiative, which provided bridging grants to non-profit service providers across Texas who experienced either funding cuts or increases in the demand for services due to funding reductions at other agencies.

The New Milestones Foundation was founded in 1982 to oversee fundraising efforts and support programs of the Austin Travis County MHMR Center in expanding awareness, eradicating stigma and helping those affected by mental illness or substance abuse issues.

"We are pleased to have received such warm recognition by Austin Travis County MHMR," said Dr. King E. Davis, executive director of the Hogg Foundation. "We sincerely value our opportunities for partnership with ATCMHMR and other centers in the state." In addition to the Hogg Foundation, other Champion's Award winners include ESPN Sports Radio Texas for the Outstanding Media Award, The Settlement Club of Austin for an Outstanding Organization Award, and Jefferson Nelson, M.D., as Outstanding Medical Professional.

The Champion's Award event will be held from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Renaissance Austin Hotel, 9721 Arboretum Boulevard. The event will feature Academy Award-winning actress Patty Duke, who in mid-life was diagnosed and treated for bipolar disorder. Having shared the story of her recovery in the autobiographies Call Me Anna and I, Patty has made Duke one of the foremost spokespersons on living successfully with a mental illness in the country.

For more information on the award or the Champion's event, contact the ATMHMR at 512-440-4051.