SAMHSA Honors 'The Sopranos,' 'Monk,' 'Dirt' at Star-Studded Voice Awards in L...( LOS ANGELES May 29 -- Writers an...),Health

LOS ANGELES, May 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Writers and producers from "The Sopranos," "Monk," "Dirt," Reign Over Me, and others were honored at the 2008 Voice Awards last night by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), hosted by award-winning actor and mental health advocate Joe Pantoliano and Hairspray film star Nikki Blonsky, at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles.

Winners were recognized for incorporating dignified, respectful, and accurate depictions of people living with mental health problems into their programs and films. Awards were also given to outstanding community leaders with mental illnesses who have had a positive impact on the acceptance of people with mental health problems in society.

"The Voice Awards honors television and film writers and producers who have created realistic characterizations of people living with mental illnesses," said Terry Cline, Ph.D., SAMHSA administrator. "We are also recognizing people with mental health problems who have demonstrated that recovery is real and possible, and who promote understanding and support for others with mental illnesses."

Winners in the television category were:

-- "The Sopranos" (HBO) for the episode "The Second

Coming" addressing suicide and depression;

-- "Dirt" (FX) for its pilot episode addressing schizophrenia;

-- "Monk"(USA) for the episode "Mr. Monk is at Your

Service" addressing obsessive compulsive disorder;

-- "House" (FOX) for the episode "Resignation"

addressing suicide;

-- "Friday Night Lights" (NBC) for multiple episodes addressing

bipolar disorder;

-- "Huff" (Showtime) for its episode "Whipped Doggie"

addressing schizophrenia;

-- "Crossing Jordan" (NBC) for its episode "Save Me"

addressing schizophrenia; and

-- "General Hospital" (ABC) for multiple episodes addressing

bipolar disorder.