It’s never been more critical to ensure that mental health and substance use disorder support and services are available to all Californians. Fortunately, there are dedicated visionaries and crusaders across the state who are working to do just that. They are unsung heroes among us, dedicated to improving the lives of their fellow Californians.
Each May during Mental Health Awareness Month we announce our Steinberg Institute Champions and share their stories, with the hopes of honoring them and inspiring others whose selfless work inspires us all.
In addition, we are proud to give out a new honor – the Richard Van Horn Award. This award has been established to honor the legacy of Richard Van Horn, a visionary leader and advocate for mental health in California. With a generous endowment from his wife and family, a monetary award will be presented each year to one of our Steinberg Institute Champions.
Nominees for the Richard Van Horn Award will:
- Work toward the betterment of Californians living with mental illness, through direct service, advocacy or research
- Empower Californians with mental illness to have agency in the type of care they receive
- Provide opportunities for recovery and a life with purpose and dignity for people living with mental illness
- Advocate for innovative solutions to improve the quality of care.
