Donato Sponsors DMH Citizen’s Legislative Breakfast

Department of Mental Health Commissioner Barbara A. Leadholm presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Representative Paul J. Donato for his legislative leadership for adults and children with mental illnesses and their families. Courtesy photo.

Representative Paul J. Donato (D- Medford, Malden) recently sponsored the annual Massachusetts Department of Mental Health North East Area Citizen’s Legislative Breakfast in the Great Hall at the State House. The event provides an opportunity for people with mental illness, family members, providers and advocates to interact with state legislators.

“This is an opportunity for the mental health community—consumers, families, providers and advocates—to meet with their legislators, thank them for their support and discuss with them the many services DMH provides to individuals with serious mental illness,” said Commissioner Barbara A. Leadholm, M.S., M.B.A.

The theme of this year’s DMH breakfast series is “Community First and Our Future.” The event’s centerpiece is the personal stories shared by DMH consumers and their families. Their experiences put a face on mental illness, demonstrate that treatment works and remind us that people with mental illness can achieve important accomplishments and most importantly, recover and lead satisfying and productive lives.

More than 250 people including legislators, consumers, family members and advocates and providers attended the breakfast.

– Information from Rep. Donato