Troy's Jamie Christofel Wins OCCMHA Director's Award

The following information was submitted by Christine Burk/Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority.

Troy resident Jamie Christofel received the 2012 Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority (OCCMHA) “Director’s Award” during the organization’s annual Keys to Total Health Conference Monday at the .

The OCCMHA Achievement Awards honor the successes and accomplishments of individuals who have disabilities including, adults with mental illness, children with serious emotional disturbances, and adults and children with developmental disabilities.

Christofel was presented with the prestigious “Director’s Award” in recognition of personal characteristics that embody all of the OCCMHA achievement awards. She has overcome the challenges of living with a mental illness or developmental disability, as well as inspires others to strive to be their best, helps and advocates for others, and works to improve her community.

She is an educator, an advocate, a community leader, and an inspiration to others.

Christofel refers to her diagnosis with a mental illness as a point of liberation – a step toward clarity. The battle with her undiagnosed disorder was over and her journey toward recovery had begun.

In 2007, while still in school, Christofel began working at Community Housing Network, educating people in need about affordable and supportive housing. She currently supervises the housing resource center team of specialists, is a certified peer support specialist, has a bachelor’s degree in communications, and begins working on her MBA at Wayne State University this fall.

Other OCCMHA award recipients include:
Stigma Buster Award Winner: Berkley resident, Stephanie Jackson - Recognized for her creative and innovative strategies to educate others and reduce stigma regarding mental illness and developmental disabilities.

Rights and Advocacy Award Winner: Royal Oak resident Priscilla Williams - Recognized for her efforts to enhance the rights of people with a mental illness or a developmental disability, and is recognized by her peers and professionals as an advocate for people with disabilities.

Helping Hands Award Winners: Clawson resident, Bernadette Thomas and Rochester resident, Ryan Gray- Recognized for giving back to their communities through volunteer work, helping others, and making their neighborhoods better places to live.

My Life Award Winners: Clarkston resident, Kristen Milefchik and West Bloomfield resident, Hava Leichtman - Recognized for embracing and progressing through their person-centered or family-centered process, creating goals and pursuing dreams by utilizing community resources and supports.

About OCCMHA

Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority is a public mental health system that provides services and supports to approximately 20,000 Oakland County residents, including adults and children with developmental disabilities, adults with serious mental illness, and children with serious emotional disturbance.

OCCMHA’s network of service providers include: Common Ground, Community Housing Network, Community Living Services, Community Network Services, Easter Seals Michigan, MORC, Oakland Family Services, and Training and Treatments Innovations. For more information about OCCMHA call (800) 341-2003 or visit www.occmha.org.