Contact Communications@thenationalcouncil.org or 202.684.7457, ext. 228

Washington, DC, May 11, 2009 — Craig Newmark, the founder of craigslist, has donated $15,000 to Project Helping Hands, a National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare program that provides emergency mental health and addictions treatment services to communities in the wake of disasters.

“This generous donation will help psychiatrically vulnerable and traumatized people whose lives are dramatically altered when disasters strike their communities,” said Linda Rosenberg, president and CEO of the National Council. “We are grateful to Mr. Newmark for his support of this critical program, which will help raise awareness of mental illness and addictions as serious health issues.”

With craigslist, Newmark launched one of the Web’s most successful ventures, combining customer and public service with savvy business strategy and marketing innovation. He was named one of the 25 Most Influential People on the Web by Business Week magazine.

“Like craigslist itself, the National Council’s Helping Hands is a good community service. It’s about people helping people and giving each other a break in times of greatest need,” said Newmark, who made the donation after speaking at the National Council Conference in April.

The National Council launched Project Helping Hands after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the U.S. Gulf Coast in August 2005. The program has been extended to help behavioral healthcare organizations respond to emergency mental health and addictions treatment needs in the wake of manmade and natural disasters in communities worldwide.

Learn more about Project Helping Hands and donate at www.TheNationalCouncil.org/cs/donate_now

The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) association of 1,600 behavioral healthcare organizations that provide treatment and rehabilitation for mental illnesses and addictions disorders to nearly six million adults, children and families in communities across the country. The National Council and its members bear testimony to the fact that medical, social, psychological, and rehabilitation services offered in community settings help people with mental illnesses and addiction disorders recover and lead productive lives.