ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (June 27, 2008) – The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) New Mexico announced today that it is offering a free educational video to help returning soldiers in New Mexico identify and manage mental health issues, such as stress, anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. With the support of a grant from OptumHealth, NAMI New Mexico will make the video available to returning soldiers, family members and others in the community who work with veterans from current and past conflicts.

"Many soldiers coming home may be facing mental health issues that can be treated. Unfortunately, we know that some soldiers and family members do not seek help because they may not understand a soldier's condition, are not aware of the resources available, or might be afraid to seek help," says Becky Beckett, president of NAMI New Mexico. "With New Mexico's strong ties to the military, this national problem is also a local one. The 'Coming Home: Supporting Your Soldier' video will help our local soldiers understand that they are not alone and that help is available."

The Veteran's Health Administration projects that by September of this year, New Mexico will be home to more than 175,000 veterans, 45,000 of them from the Gulf War and other recent conflicts.¹

The video, "Coming Home: Supporting Your Soldier," produced by NAMI Minnesota and co-sponsored by OptumHealth, showcases the real-life experiences of three soldiers managing the mental health effects of combat, and helps explain the signs and symptoms of distress, when it's important to ask for assistance, and what family and community members can do to help.   

"OptumHealth is committed to working with community partners to provide the resources and services necessary to support recovery and resiliency," says Dawn Owens, chief executive officer of OptumHealth. "We are proud to work with NAMI New Mexico to make this valuable resource available to our soldiers and their families in New Mexico to help them get and stay healthy."

This evening, NAMI New Mexico will launch a public service announcement campaign to publicize the availability of the video. The event will feature speakers from the Hispano Chamber of Commerce, representatives from Congresswoman Heather Wilson's office and the U.S. armed forces, as well as both Vietnam and Iraq War veterans discussing their experiences managing the consequences of conflict and finding resources to assist them.

The free NAMI video can be obtained by calling NAMI New Mexico toll-free at 1-800-953-6745. The public service announcement can be viewed here.

About NAMI New Mexico
NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation's largest grassroots organization for people with mental illness and their families. Founded in 1979, NAMI has affiliates in every state and in more than 1,100 local communities across the country.

NAMI New Mexico's seven statewide affiliates and 400 members provide support, education, and advocacy on behalf of people with mental illness and their families.

About OptumHealth
As one of the nation's largest consumer health services companies, OptumHealth makes health care easier and better for employers, health plans, public sector entities and the 61 million people with access to its services. The Company's goal is to optimize health and promote recovery, resiliency and financial security, while lowering benefit costs and helping consumers make informed decisions about their health through standalone or integrated services. OptumHealth is a company of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH). More information about OptumHealth can be found at www.optumhealth.com. More information about OptumHealth New Mexico can be found at www.optumhealthnewmexico.com.