Mountain Climber Leads Expedition of Hope for People Battling Depression
01 June 2005 - 12:45AM
PR Newswire (US)
Mountain Climber Leads Expedition of Hope for People Battling
Depression Alaska's Mt. McKinley is first stop on quest to climb
"Seven Summits" ANCHORAGE, AK, May 31 /PRNewswire/ -- American Joe
Lawson today has embarked on a journey to climb the world's highest
peaks to focus global attention on the need for greater depression
awareness, treatment and support. As a teenager, Lawson's father
committed suicide after a long battle with depression. In honor of
his memory he formed Expedition Hope(TM), with the goal of
preventing similar tragedies. "My father's illness left him feeling
isolated and too ashamed to ask for help," said Lawson. "That's why
I'm dedicating this effort to him. I want to focus attention on the
stigma that keeps so many with mental illness from seeking the
treatment they so desperately need." Should Lawson reach the
highest peak on each continent, he will join an elite group of
climbers to have accomplished this feat -- fewer than 100
worldwide. With the help of Eli Lilly and Company, his journey
begins in North America with Alaska's Mt. McKinley (20,320 feet).
Lawson will chronicle his climb on the Web at
http://www.expeditionhope.org/ , where people also can learn more
about depression and how they can support programs that help those
with mental illness. "With mountain climbing, you have to overcome
many obstacles in order to reach the final goal. Yet it can be done
with the right training and assistance," said Lawson. "The same can
be said for people with depression and those who care for them.
With the help of a healthcare professional and a support network,
relief is possible." Lawson is an experienced mountain climber with
previous involvement in the Discovery Channel Eco-Challenge
adventure race events and several adventure travel companies. About
Depression & Suicide Nearly 19 million Americans suffer from
depression.(i) Although it is one of the most common psychiatric
disorders seen by primary care physicians, it often goes
undiagnosed or is under-treated.(ii) This may be in part because
depressed patients often present to their primary care doctor with
physical, rather than emotional complaints.(iii) In order for
people with depression to recover completely, all of their
symptoms, both emotional and physical, should be addressed. Despite
extensive research into suicide, there is no simple answer to why
some people attempt to end their lives and others do not. Although
the vast majority of people with mental illness do not die by
suicide, having a mental illness does increase its likelihood. It
is estimated that 2-15 percent of people diagnosed with major
depression commit suicide. The risk is highest among individuals
who feel hopeless about the future, those who have just been
discharged from the hospital, those who have a family history of
suicide and those who have made a previous suicide attempt.(iv) To
learn more about how to prevent suicide, visit the American
Association of Suicidology at http://www.suicidology.org/ . About
the Seven Summits Mt. McKinley, also known as Denali, is considered
the most challenging of the Seven Summits after Mt. Everest, based
on technical difficulty, physical hardship and altitude. After
completing Mt. McKinley, Lawson will attempt to climb Mt. Aconcagua
(South America), Mt. Kilimanjaro (Africa), Mt. Elbrus (Europe), Mt.
Cartenz Pyramid (Oceania), Mt. Vinson Massif (Antarctica), and Mt.
Everest (Asia). About Lilly Lilly, a leading innovation-driven
corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of first-in-class
and best-in-class pharmaceutical products by applying the latest
research from its own worldwide laboratories and from
collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered
in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers -- through medicines
and information -- for some of the world's most urgent medical
needs. Additional information about Lilly is available at
http://www.lilly.com/ . O-LLY (i) National Institute of Mental
Health. Depression Research at the National Institute of Mental
Health: Fact Sheet. Available at
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depresfact.cfm . Accessed May 12,
2004. (ii) Kroenke K, et al. Am J Med. 1997; 103 (5): 339-347.
(iii) Simon GE, et al. N Engl J Med. 1999; 341 (18): 1329-1335.
(iv) Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration. National Strategy for
Suicide Prevention: Mental Illness and Suicide - Facts. Available
at:
http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/suicideprevention/suicidefacts.asp
. Accessed April 15, 2004. (Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050531/DETU005-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050531/DETU005-b
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050531/EXPHOPELOGO-c )
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050531/DETU005-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050531/DETU005-b
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050531/EXPHOPELOGO-c
DATASOURCE: Expedition Hope(TM) CONTACT: Raena Latina of Expedition
Hope(TM), Phone: +1-317-362-7745, ; or Carole Witsken Puls of Eli
Lilly and Company, Inc., Phone: +1-317-277-1421,
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