Deadline Extended to Submit Nominations for Depression Awards Program
13 November 2008 - 12:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Winners Can Receive Up to $15,000 Each to Donate to Nonprofit of
Their Choice NEW YORK, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The
deadline to submit nominations for this year's Welcome Back Awards,
a national awards program that recognizes heroes in the depression
community, has been extended by one month. Nominations are now due
by Monday, December 15, 2008. 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. "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, Dec. 15, 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 (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080502/CLF004LOGO )
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080502/CLF004LOGO DATASOURCE:
Eli Lilly and Company CONTACT: Kristin Campbell of Chamberlain
Healthcare Public Relations, +1-212-884-0636, for Eli Lilly and
Company
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