Co-Founder of Unique Mental Health Recovery Program to Receive Honor at Annual NAMI Fundraiser

PHILADELPHIA - May 6, 2014 - PRLog -- On Friday, May 9^th, 2014, the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Pennsylvania (NAMI PA) will present Dr. Loren H. Crabtree with the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award at its 5^th Annual Cherry Blossom Ball in Philadelphia, PA.  NAMI PA is the largest grassroots organization in Pennsylvania dedicated to providing support, education, and advocacy to individuals and families challenged by mental illness.  Some of the people on the honorary committee for this year’s NAMI PA fundraiser include: U.S. Senator Robert Casey, U.S. Senator Pat Toomey, Madam Justice Sandra Schultz Newman, and Arthur C. Evans, Ph.D, of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and disAbility Services.

Dr. Loren H. Crabtree will receive the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from NAMI PA for his lifelong service and commitment to people who struggle with serious mental illness.  In 1982, Dr. Loren H. Crabtree co-founded Project Transition, a unique community-based program developed to support people who struggle with serious and persistent mental illness.  At that time, this recovery-based concept was not present in behavioral healthcare.

Jim Jordan, NAMI PA Executive Director, said of Dr. Crabtree, “Dr. Crabtree is a visionary and pioneer in developing alternatives to long term hospitalization.  His commitment to recovery has resulted in the development of community-based programs.  Dr. Crabtree’s programs emphasize the value of family support.  These programs have enabled persons living with mental illness to reintegrate successfully into communities and to better enjoy the quality of life that we all enjoy.”

Dr. Loren H. Crabtree has worked with adolescents and young adults for over forty-eight years. Dr. Crabtree was educated at Yale University and University of Pennsylvania. He has published over twenty articles in psychiatry and has presented at over 100 different national, state, and local venues, and he is currently working on a book on recovery from serious mental illness and addiction.  He has also served as a clinical faculty member at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University and The University of Pennsylvania Department of Psychiatry.

About Project Transition

Project Transition has six recovery-focused residential treatment programs in 4 counties (Bucks, Montgomery, Berks, and Philadelphia) throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania.  The apartment-based programs promote social integration and strengthen community supports and a sense of belonging.  A fully staffed Recovery and Wellness Center is located within walking distance of the community wherein a wide array of services are provided daily.

As a Learning Organization, Project Transition has embraced evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. It has strengthened its Recovery model with Certified Peer Specialists and Recovery Coaches, and has a rigorous Wellness program to educate members to effectively integrate physical and mental well-being.

About NAMI PA

Founded in 1983 and with 60 affiliates throughout the Commonwealth, NAMI PA is the state’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to providing support, education and advocacy to persons with mental illness and their families. Through education programs, NAMI PA helps persons who live with illnesses such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post traumatic stress disorder, and their families know that they are not alone. NAMI PA also advocates for services and fights the stigma often associated with mental illness.

For more information about NAMI PA, please go to www.nami-pa.org, and to learn more about Dr. Loren Crabtree and Project Transition, please go to www.projecttransition.com.