About NARMH
Vision Statement
The National Association for Rural Mental Health seeks to promote the linkage of the diverse voices of rural mental health, through its activities as a membership organization. As a national organization, NARMH provides a forum for rural mental health professionals, advocates, and consumers to identify issues and problems, share innovative solutions and model programs, and speak with a shared voice on issues of rural mental health concern.
As an organization with a historical heritage of education, NARMH’s sponsorship of an annual conference, regional workshops, and publication of written information is focused upon increasing the body of knowledge related to rural mental health. NARMH’s educational efforts will continue to link the myriad of rural issues and experience into a connected fabric of understanding.
NARMH shall provide a common voice for rural mental health within national and state public policy arenas. Through the information sharing with other organizations, government agencies, federal and state leaders, and others, NARMH will seek to ensure rural America is taken into account in the formation of private and public mental healthcare policy.
Mission Statement
"Linking Voices to Promote Rural Mental Health."
NARMH carries out this mission through electronic and print communication, an annual national conference, participation in national policy making, and special projects.
Awards
Over the years NARMH members have developed a variety of awards to recognize and honor individuals and groups committed to rural behavioral health care, policy, and advocacy.
VICTOR I. HOWERY MEMORIAL AWARD RECIPIENTS
Rosalynn Carter – 1979
Dorethea Dolan – 1980
Maurice Miller – 1981
Judith Davenport – 1982
David S. Hargrove – 1983
Leona Bachrach – 1984
William G. Hollister – 1985
Milton Mazer – 1986
Roger Williams – 1987
J. Wilbert Edgerton – 1988
Peter Keller – 1989
Douglas Graham – 1990
Bill and Judy Heffernan – 1991
Peter G. Beeson – 1992
Dennis Murray – 1993
Morton Wagenfeld – 1994
Chuck Windle – 1995
Dennis Mohatt – 1996
Paul Sundet and Joanne Mermelstein – 1997
Roger Hannan – 1998
Rand Conger – 1999
Mary Van Hook – 2000
Sheila Cooper – 2001
Michael Rosmann – 2002
Art McDonald – 2003
Gerald Mohatt – 2004
Pablo Hernandez – 2005
Nancy Speck – 2006
Charlie Griffin – 2007
Roger Strauss – 2008
David Lambert – 2009
John Morris – 2010
Marcene Moran – 2011
Karen Perdue – 2012
Joe Lovelace – 2013
Patrick Kennedy – 2015
Ron Manderscheid – 2016
Rick Peterson – 2017
Lori Irvine – 2018
Anne Hazlett – 2019
(Cancelled) NONE – 2020
(Virtual) NONE – 2021
Jerry Parker – 2022
Helene Silverblatt, MD – 2023
NONE – 2024
“GOING TO BAT” AWARD RECIPIENTS”
Dr. Ronald Manderscheid – 1996
Tipper Gore – 1997
Harriet McCombs – 1999
Farm Foundation – 2000
Senator Tom Domenici – 2002
Dr. Anthony Pollitt – 2003
Senator Tom Daschle – 2004
Senator Gordon Smith – 2005
Carol Miller – 2006
Senator Tom Harkin – 2007
Representative Patrick Kennedy – 2008
Diane Denish – 2009
Jeannie Ritter – 2010
Dr. Mary Wakefield – 2011
Jeff Jessee – 2012
Representative John Davis – 2013
Dr. Mary Wakefield – 2014
Suzanne Chun Oakland – 2015
Henry “Skip” Gates & Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack – 2016
Alan Morgan – 2017
Harold Kudler, MD – 2018
Michelle Lujan Grisham & Wayne Lindstrom – 2019
(Cancelled) NONE – 2020
(Virtual) NONE – 2021
Charles Smith, PhD – 2022
Denny Hutchinson & Senator Elder Vogel Jr. – 2023
AL Commissioner Kimberly G. Bosewell – 2024
RURAL ARTS AWARD
Peter Beeson, Lincoln, Nebraska – 2007
Barbara Martin, Montpelier, Vermont – 2008
Douglas Fraser, Albuquerque, New Mexico – 2009
John Fiedler, Denver, Colorado – 2010
David Rhodes, Dubuque, Iowa – 2011
Two Spirits Gallery, Anchorage, Alaska – 2012
Cristopher “Critter” Fuqua (Old Crow Medicine Show) – 2014
Thomas Vendetti – 2015
Clint Malarchuk – 2017
New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic and Assistance Foundation – 2018
Sarah Elisabeth Brown – 2019
(Cancelled) NONE – 2020
(Virtual) NONE – 2021
Frank McGuirk, PhD – 2022
Trey Everett – 2023
Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center – 2024
ANN SCHUMACHER RURAL CLINIC PRACTICE AWARD
Russel Hunt – 2012
Edna Gonzales-Anzaldua – 2014
Lillian “Leo” Asuncion – 2015
Ray Droby – 2017
Perry Blankenship – 2018
Matt Probst – 2019
(Cancelled) NONE – 2020
(Virtual) NONE – 2021
Lindsey McCarthey – 2022
Erika Brosig – 2023
Preferred Medical Group, Fort Mitchell Clinic – 2024