JEFFERSON CITY – Three remarkable Missourians who have overcome mental health challenges to make life better for themselves, others, and their communities will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 9, as the 2023 Mental Health Champions by the Missouri Mental Health Foundation (MMHF). The event will take place at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City and recognize the following Champions: Amye Trefethen of Jefferson City, Merna Leisure-Eppick of Branson, and David Gould of O’Fallon. MMHF will also present a “Lasting Legacy” award at the banquet to Dr. John Constantino, formerly of St. Louis, for his contributions to mental health in Missouri.
“These individuals have a meaningful role in their communities and promote the importance of self-determination, recovery, and education about mental health disorders, including mental illness, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders,” said Katie Andrews, Executive Director of the Missouri Mental Health Foundation. “Their personal stories as well as their accomplishments are inspiring.”
Amye Trefethen
Through her life experiences with mental illness, she has developed self-advocacy and educational programming that is being delivered state-wide. She has a unique ability to see a need, conceptualize an understanding of what it would take to meet that need, and figure out how to do that while operating within the boundaries of the organizational framework. Amye’s sole motivation is to help those around her. She is smart, kind, and thoughtful, and she has raised the consistency and the quality of the programming at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Missouri. It’s part of her belief that we fight stigma every day through actions and behaviors.
Merna Leisure-Eppick
As an individual in long-term recovery, Merna has spent more than 30 years dedicated to serving others by working and volunteering in the treatment and recovery support sector. Merna’s has spearheaded several organizational projects leading hundreds of Missourians to have safe, accountable, affordable, accredited housing and recovery support services. She donates countless hours, mentors others in recovery, and leads the charge of implementing evidence-based approaches to her work with the community. Merna’s goal is to see others find the peace and success she has found in her own recovery.
David Gould
Even though he has several developmental disability diagnoses and is functionally nonverbal, David continues to shine as a role model demonstrating how a person with disabilities can live independently with support. David has built relationships and natural support with many people in his community and is truly living his best life. David’s goal is for everyone to have equitable access to their community to live, work, have a life partner, and pursue happiness. He is helping to erase stigma by engaging members of the public that aren’t familiar with developmental disabilities, and he does it all on his own.
John N. Constantino M.D.
Dr. Constantino served as a Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at Washington University in St. Louis, where he directed a research program in childhood social development. He led the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Washington University and St. Louis Children’s Hospital from 2009-2022 and served on the Missouri Mental Health Commission. He pushed for defining best practices for individuals with autism as well as those with both mental illness and developmental disabilities. His many contributions and dedicated service to the mental health field in Missouri make him a Lasting Legacy.
For more information contact Tynesha Bryan at (573) 635-9201 or email Tynesha.bryan@missourimhf.org.