Author Bell to speak at awards luncheon

Jeff Bell, author of "Rewind, Replay, Repeat: A Memoir of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder," will be keynote speaker at the third annual Mental Health Mahalo Awards Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Japanese Cultural Center.

Bell will describe how he led a double life for years as a successful news anchor in California with a disorder that caused him to hide from people in fear.

The lunch is sponsored by Mental Health America of Hawaii, which will present these awards:

» Lifetime Achievement: Ivalee Sinclair for her work over four decades in getting the state to provide programs and services for children with learning disabilities.

» Outstanding Executive: Linda Rich, executive director, Salvation Army Family Treatment Services, which provided residential treatment for substance abusing mothers and mental health services for their children.

» Outstanding Agency: Adult Friends for Youth, which has worked more than 20 years to get gang members off the streets and help them lead responsible lives.

» Outstanding Government Individual: Dr. C. Kimo Alameda, director, Office of Multicultural Services, Adult Mental Health Division, who increased awareness of the mental health system's need to address the diverse cultural issues of mental health consumers.

» Outstanding Consumer Advocate: Sarah Eum, U.S. Army veteran and mental health client, who is working to help other mental health clients become educated about their illnesses.

» Outstanding Business Supporting Employees' Mental Wellness: Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki, which provides a clinical psychologist for free monthly meetings with interested employees to address personal and work-related problems.

» Outstanding Business Hiring Persons with Mental Illness: Wal-Mart, Keeaumoku store (Debbie Shima, manager), for providing meaningful work for 10 members of the Hale O Honolulu Clubhouse in a commitment to hiring, training and supporting people with severe mental illnesses.

» Outstanding Youth Advocate: Jazmin Boots, who represented Hawaii at two national conferences, describing her struggle with bipolar disorder. She is raising a 1-year-old child and getting "excellent grades" at the University of Hawaii-Hilo.

For more information about the luncheon, call 521-1846, e-mail marya@mentalhealth-hi.org; or visit the Web site www.mentalhealth-hi.org.