ADAA Board Member, "Monk" Producer David Hoberman Honored with 2006 Career Achievement Voice Award for Efforts to Advance Mental Health

Silver Spring, MD (August 21, 2006) - The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) congratulates Board member David Hoberman, co-creator and executive producer of the award-winning USA Network Original Series "Monk," on earning the 2006 Career Achievement Voice Award for his exceptional efforts in giving a voice to people with mental health problems. The award will be presented to Hoberman on August 23 in Los Angeles.

The Voice Awards were developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to acknowledge entertainment writers and producers who give a voice to people with mental health problems by incorporating dignified, respectful and accurate portrayals into film, television and radio. The Career Achievement Award is given to a writer or producer whose efforts epitomize the mission of the Voice Awards.

"Monk" is a one-hour series about a detective with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that airs Fridays at 9/8C on USA Network. The series depicts the obsessions and compulsions that interfere with the life of detective Adrian Monk as he solves crimes and cracks cases more astutely than the San Francisco Police Department.

In addition to Hoberman's work on national public education initiatives as part of ADAA's Board, his series "Monk" takes steps to inform viewers about Monk's disorder. The "Monk" website includes a page with facts about OCD, as well as a link to the ADAA's website (www.adaa.org), which includes an OCD self-test for those who suspect they may have the disorder, treatment information and a list of therapists around the country who treat OCD.

"ADAA applauds David Hoberman for his continuing efforts to raise awareness of mental illness, particularly OCD, a serious but treatable disorder," said ADAA President & CEO Jerilyn Ross, M.A., L.I.C.S.W. "This award is well-deserved and a fine tribute to Mr. Hoberman's important work."

Hoberman is one of the entertainment industry's leading producers. He has worked with ABC, Norman Lear's Tandem/T.A.T., ICM, The Walt Disney Studios and MGM. In 2002, after three years at MGM, Hoberman re-formed Mandeville Films and Television, which he originally founded in 1994, at The Walt Disney Studios, releasing such films as Beauty Shop, Eight Below, Raising Helen and The Shaggy Dog.

Prior to forming Mandeville Films, while president of the Motion Picture Group of Walt Disney Studios, Hoberman oversaw development and production for all feature films for Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone and Hollywood Pictures. He was behind such blockbusters as Pretty Woman, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Father of the Bride, Good Morning Vietnam, Dead Poets Society, The Rocketeer and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.

For more information on the 2006 Voice Awards, click here.

The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) is the leading national, non-profit organization dedicated to the early diagnosis, treatment and cure of anxiety disorders. ADAA offers free educational information and resources on anxiety disorders, local treatment providers, self-help groups, self-tests, clinical trials and more. ADAA is the unified voice for anxiety disorders and promotes the message that anxiety disorders are real, serious and treatable.