GLEN OAKS, NY -- On Saturday, May 1, 2010, families throughout Queens and Nassau County will have a rare opportunity to learn about new breakthroughs and emerging treatments in mental health from some of the nation’s best and brightest mental health researchers. The Zucker Hillside Hospital campus of The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research will join more than 40 other institutions nationwide to partner with NARSAD (National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression) in presenting its “Healthy Minds Across America” series of public talks. Each event brings science to families seeking hope for better treatments of a broad range of mental illnesses.

“We created `Healthy Minds’ as a unique and open forum for scientists and families to share new discoveries that have the potential to improve the quality of life for people with mental illness,” said Benita Shobe, NARSAD’s president and CEO. “NARSAD believes passionately in the value of offering patients and families -- and the medical professionals who care for them -- direct access to the researchers who are shaping the future of  mental health science and getting us closer to cures.”

To date, NARSAD has given more than $1.1 million via 18 grants to 16 researchers affiliated with Zucker Hillside Hospital. These studies help to further the institution’s goal of seeking new breakthroughs related to serious mental disorders that affect nearly 60 million Americans. These psychiatric illnesses include schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, childhood mental disorders such as autism and ADHD, and anxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

The public forum will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 1, at the The Zucker Hillside Hospital, Sloman Lowenstein Auditorium, 75-59 263rd Street in Glen Oaks.

Moderating will be John Kane, MD, chairman of psychiatry, The Zucker Hillside Hospital. Dr. Kane will also present on the topic, “The Treatment of Schizophrenia: The State-of-the-Art.”

Additional featured presentations and speakers will include:

• “Progress in the Genetics of Mental Illness,” by Anil Malhotra, MD, NARSAD Young and Independent Investigator; director, Division of Psychiatry Research, The Zucker Hlllside Hospital; and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Albert Einstein College of Medicine
• “Prevention of Psychosis: Current Findings, Future Challenges,” by Barbara A. Cornblatt, MD, PhD; director, Recognition and Prevention (RAP) Program; Department of Psychiatry, The Zucker Hillside Hospital; and Professor of Psychiatry at Albert Einstein College of Medicine

For a full list of venues, speakers and topics, or to register, visit the NARSAD Web site http://www.narsad.org/hmaa/ZuckerHillside.

About NARSAD
NARSAD’s primary mission is to alleviate suffering from mental illness. Toward this goal, the organization raises funds to advance research on the causes, treatment and prevention of psychiatric disorders. Since 1987, NARSAD has distributed more than $256 million in grants to over 2,900 scientists at over 440 universities, medical centers and research institutes in the United States and 28 other countries. NARSAD is a 501(c)(3) registered public charity, supported by individuals, foundations and corporations for the purpose of funding scientific research. All contributions are tax-deductible.

For additional information on NARSAD, visit www.narsad.org, or call (800) 829-8289.

Contact:  
Jamie Talan            
(516) 562-1232    
jtalan@NSHS.edu     

Natalie Greaves
(516) 829-0091
ngreaves@narsad.org