Mountain Climber Reaches First Peak As Part Of Expedition To Help People Battling Depression
21 September 2005 - 1:07AM
PR Newswire (US)
Mt. Kilimanjaro, highest peak in Africa, first stop on quest to
climb Seven Summits DODOMA, Tanzania, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ --
American Joe Lawson reached the peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,430
ft.) today -- the first of seven summits he will be climbing as
part of Expedition Hope(TM), a program to focus global attention on
the need for greater depression awareness, treatment and support.
Lawson is climbing the highest mountain on each continent, with
help from Eli Lilly and Company, in memory of his father who
committed suicide after a long battle with depression. "When I
reach the summit of a mountain, I want people with depression to
realize that they can overcome their obstacles and battle
depression one step at a time," said Lawson. "Just like a mountain
climber arrives at the summit, one step at a time." Lawson was able
to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro after recovering from a knee injury,
which occurred while attempting to climb Alaska's Mt. McKinley
earlier this year. While Lawson did not summit Mt. McKinley this
year, he plans to try again in 2007. Should Lawson reach the
remaining six highest peaks on each continent, he will join an
elite group of climbers to have accomplished this feat -- fewer
than 200 worldwide. Lawson has chronicled his climb on the Web at
http://www.expeditionhope.org/ , where people can also learn more
about depression and how they can support programs that help those
with mental illness. "One of the goals of Expedition Hope is to
raise awareness of the importance of getting treatment for mental
illness," Lawson said. "My father did not realize in time that
relief is possible, but it is not too late for others with
depression to find appropriate treatment." Lawson is an experienced
mountain climber with previous involvement in the Discovery Channel
Eco-Challenge adventure race events and several adventure race
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. Kilimanjaro is located at the northeastern
tip of Tanzania and is the tallest freestanding mountain on earth.
After completing Mt. Kilimanjaro, Lawson will attempt to climb Mt.
Aconcagua, South America (22,840'), Mt. Elbrus, Europe (18,481'),
Mt. Cartenz Pyramid, Oceania (16,023'), Mt. McKinley, North America
(20,320'), Mt. Vinson Massif, Antarctica (16,067'), and Mt.
Everest, Asia (29,035'). 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/. P-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. (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050531/EXPHOPELOGO-c )
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050531/EXPHOPELOGO-c
DATASOURCE: Expedition Hope CONTACT: Raena Latina of Expedition
Hope(TM), +1-317-362-7745, ; or Carole Witsken Puls of Eli Lilly
and Company, Inc., +1-317-277-1421,
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