The Welcome Back Awards Seeks Nominations for Those Dedicated to the Depression Community
19 September 2008 - 11:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
Winners Can Receive Up to $15,000 Each to Donate to Nonprofit of
Their Choice NEW YORK, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The
Welcome Back Awards is now accepting nominations to honor those who
work in the depression community. The Welcome Back Awards is a
program established by Eli Lilly and Company to recognize
outstanding achievements in the fight against depression and the
stigma often associated with the illness. (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080502/CLF004LOGO ) "We are
excited that the Welcome Back Awards is now in its eleventh year,"
said John Hayes, M.D., vice president of Lilly Research
Laboratories and global brand development team leader --
neuroscience, Eli Lilly and Company. "Lilly is extremely proud to
be a part of such a long-standing, worthy tradition." An
independent panel of national mental health experts will select
honorees in five categories: lifetime achievement,
destigmatization, community service, primary care and psychiatry.
Winners will share a total of $55,000, to be donated to the
not-for-profit organizations of their choice. Each award recipient
and one guest will receive complimentary airfare and accommodations
to attend the ceremony in San Francisco, Calif., in May 2009. Since
1998, the Welcome Back Awards has honored people who have
persevered in overcoming depression, helped others to do the same
or dedicated endless amounts of time and effort to spreading
awareness of the illness. In May 2008, Henry Acosta was honored
with a Welcome Back Award for his work as the executive director of
the National Resource Center for Hispanic Mental Health, a
nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting high-quality mental
health services for Hispanics through educational programs, public
service announcements, media campaigns and legislation. As a direct
result of Acosta's passion for and dedication to the Hispanic
community, statistics in New Jersey show that Hispanics with mental
illness are using more public services and less costly emergency
and crisis care than before. "Henry's personal experience with
depression, his compassion and determination led to the creation of
a successful program that helps break down the stigma often
associated with depression in the Hispanic community," said Carmen
Vazquez, Ph.D., clinical professor of psychiatry at New York
University School of Medicine and the City University of New York
and Welcome Back Award committee member. How to Apply for an Award
or Nominate Someone Else Anyone, except Lilly employees, may apply
or be nominated for a Welcome Back Award. Nomination forms can be
obtained by calling 1-800-463-6440 or by visiting
http://www.lilly.com/responsibility/outcomes/ . All submissions for
consideration must be received by Monday, Nov. 10, 2008. Completed
nomination packets should be sent to: The 2009 Welcome Back Awards,
P.O. Box 536, New York, NY, 10008-0536. About the Award Categories
-- Lifetime Achievement: Any individual whose perseverance has
helped him or her overcome clinical depression and resume a
fulfilling life is eligible. This person serves as an inspiration
to consumers and health care professionals alike, offering hope
that depression is treatable and obstacles to recovery can be
overcome. (Award level: $15,000) -- Destigmatization: Any
individual whose noteworthy public efforts have helped promote the
understanding of depression and reduce the shame and guilt
associated with the illness is eligible. (Award level: $10,000) --
Community Service: Any individual whose outstanding work creating
and improving community programs fosters a supportive, caring
environment for those suffering from depression is eligible. (Award
level: $10,000) -- Primary Care: Any health care professional --
psychologists, physicians, social workers or nurses -- whose unique
approach to identifying particular needs in depression diagnosis
and treatment serves as an example to others is eligible. (Award
level: $10,000) -- Psychiatry: Any psychiatrist who transcends the
profession through community work, innovative clinical programs,
teaching, new research, outstanding work with patients, or who
makes a significant impact on the community or other medical
disciplines is eligible. (Award level: $10,000) About the Welcome
Back Awards Lilly established the Welcome Back Awards in 1998 to
fight the stigma associated with depression and to promote the
understanding that depression is treatable. Over the past 10 years,
Lilly has donated more than $375,000 to charity on behalf of 53
Welcome Back Award winners. About Eli Lilly and Company 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/ . C-LLY DATASOURCE: Eli
Lilly and Company CONTACT: Kristin Campbell of Chamberlain
Healthcare Public Relations, +1-212-884-0636, for Eli Lilly and
Company Web Site: http://www.lilly.com/
http://www.lilly.com/responsibility/outcomes
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