Lilly Reintegration Awards Recognize Those Helping Move Lives Forward - Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and Congressman Patrick Kennedy Among Honorees.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 2003

A community activist, a progressive documentary filmmaker and a formerly homeless woman who is now pursuing a master's degree join a former First Lady, a well-known congressman and an up-and-coming young author as winners of the 2003 Helping Move Lives Forward Reintegration Awards sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company.

The awards, being presented today in Atlanta, recognize the outstanding contributions of health care professionals, advocates, policy makers and caregivers to help people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder move beyond the challenges of mental illness and reintegrate into society. Now in its seventh year, the awards program also honors consumers who have been outstanding role models in inspiring others with mental illness to move forward with their lives.

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy of Rhode Island, and Lizzie Simon, author of "Detour: My Bipolar Road Trip in 4-D," will receive honorary awards for their outstanding efforts to raise awareness of mental illness and mental health issues on a national level.

"I am honored to be recognized by Lilly alongside people who have courageously overcome their own battles with mental illness and are now helping to inspire others, as well as heroic individuals like Mrs. Carter, who have committed their lives to improving the health and well-being of those with mental illnesses," said Congressman Kennedy.

Individual consumers honored for the first time

A new category was added this year to the awards program, to honor significant achievements of individuals with mental illness in the areas of artistic achievement, mentorship and inspiration. Those winners are John Cadigan, a documentary filmmaker from San Francisco, Margaret "Peggy" Aho, a formerly homeless woman who now serves as a mentor for others with mental illness in Worcester, Massachusetts, and Cherie Bledsoe, a consumer advocate and activist from Kansas City, Kansas. (A full description of each award winner is attached in a separate document.)

Honorary winners committed to ending the stigma of mental illness

Having spent more than three decades helping improve the quality of life for people around the world, Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter will receive an award for her work as a mental health advocate. She created and chairs the Carter Center's Mental Health Task Force, an advisory body of experts, consumers, and advocates promoting positive change in the mental health field. The task force works to identify major mental health issues and supports initiatives to reduce discrimination against people with mental illnesses.

As a staunch advocate for mental health reform, Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy seeks to end the pervasive stigma attached to mental illness. He has been a champion for mental health funding and recently unveiled bi-partisan legislation called "Keeping Families Together Act," designed to help parents avoid relinquishing custody of their children with serious emotional disorders in order to obtain the necessary mental health care that they could not otherwise afford. Kennedy is also the author of the "Child Healthcare Crisis Relief Act" to address the drastic shortages of healthcare professionals who specialize in children's mental health and has led the fight in the House to end insurance discrimination against mental health care.

"It is vital that we continue to increase public acceptance and understanding of the abilities of the mentally ill," said Lizzie Simon, who will receive an honorary award for her book, "Detour: My Bipolar Road Trip in 4-D." "It is through this effort that the stigma associated with mental illness can be abolished," she added. The book, optioned by HBO as a feature film, discusses Simon's cross-country road trip interviewing successful young people living with bipolar disorder. A 27-year-old graduate of Columbia University living with bipolar disorder, Simon was a producer and consultant on MTV's "True Life: I'm Bipolar," which was inspired by her book.

An independent panel of professionals and consumers chaired by Ralph Aquila, M.D., director of residential community services at St. Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City, selected recipients in ten categories in addition to the three honorary award winners. "The Awards program champions the collaborative roles of consumer involvement, treatment team support and access to effective medication in helping consumers move their lives forward," said Dr. Aquila. "A successful treatment process includes helping individuals with mental illness maintain a job, live in a comfortable environment and sustain positive relationships with friends and family," he added.

Helping move lives forward

"The Awards program demonstrates Lilly's commitment to recovery for people with severe mental illness," said Bill Robinson, vice president of U.S. sales and marketing at Lilly. "We recognize the value of programs that help those with mental illness reach their full potential and return to their communities, families and friends."

Since 1997, Lilly's Helping Move Lives Forward Reintegration Awards has honored the achievements of the mental health community in the fight against serious mental illness. In addition to the individual awards for artistic achievement, mentorship and inspiration, treatment teams and programs will be recognized in seven award categories. In another new category this year, Lifetime Achievement, a healthcare professional who has made remarkable contributions to many lives over the course of his or her career will be recognized. (A full description of each award and information on the first- and second-place winners is attached in a separate document.)

Award entries are evaluated based on how well individuals or treatment teams have satisfied each particular award category. Evaluations also include criteria considered essential to treatment success: individual involvement in the implementation of one's own treatment program, dedication of the entire treatment team, measurable results and tangible evidence that everyday life has moved forward.

First-place winners will receive $5,000 cash contribution and second-place winners will receive $2,500 cash contribution to their respective institutions to further the success of their programs. A contribution of $5,000 will be made to the mental health facility or advocacy program of each honorary winner's choice.

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation is developing a growing portfolio of 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 www.lilly.com.

      2003 Helping Move Lives Forward Reintegration Award Winners
      -----------------------------------------------------------

Consumer Awards
---------------

Category: Artistic Achievement

--  The Artistic Achievement Award honors individual accomplishment in
    self-expression, in areas such as painting, video, dance
    performance, music or design and fashion.

First Place: John Cadigan
             Artist, documentary filmmaker and consumer with
              schizoaffective disorder
             San Francisco, CA

Honored for his remarkable documentary film, "People Say I'm Crazy",
chronicling his decade-long battle for recovery. The film captures
John Cadigan's bouts of paranoia and depression along with the keys to
his emerging recovery: an understanding psychiatrist, a supportive
family, medication, and most importantly, his artwork.

Second Place: Park Place ART Group
              Asbury Park, NJ

Park Place is a partial hospitalization program, part of but
independent from, Jersey Shore University Medical Center. The ART
Group uses art therapy to help treat the mentally ill.

Category: Mentorship

--  The Mentorship Award recognizes individuals who have risen above
    their own personal challenges to lend a hand to a friend in need.

First Place: Margaret "Peggy" Aho
             Employee at Westwinds Clubhouse and consumer with bipolar
              disorder
             Worcester, MA

Peggy Aho's accomplishments include inspiring campaigns to educate the
public, pursuing a college degree, maintaining a full-time job and
mentoring other adults. The Westwinds Clubhouse is an adult
rehabilitation program focused on helping consumers stay out of
hospitals while achieving social, financial and vocational goals.

Second Place: Bill Compton
              Director, Project Return: The Next Step and consumer
               with schizophrenia
              Los Angeles, CA

As a consumer empowerment leader, Bill Compton helps reintegrate
people with mental illness into the community. Compton has devoted his
life as mentor and advocate to help people with mental illness on
their own paths to recovery. Project Return: The Next Step is Los
Angeles County's premier self-help program for people with mental
illness.

Category: Inspiration

--  The Inspiration Award honors individuals whose improvements over
    time have allowed for important personal achievements.

First Place: Cherie Bledsoe
             Consumer Affairs and Development Specialist, Wyandot
              Center for Community Behavioral Healthcare
             Kansas City, KS

Cherie Bledsoe is a bridge builder, consumer provider, bearer of hope,
role model, source of inspiration and advocate extraordinaire. Fifteen
years ago Bledsoe was paralyzed in her tracks by mental illness and
now channels her energies as a messenger of hope.

Second Place: Charity Kendall
              Consumer with schizoaffective disorder
              Detroit, MI

After years of struggling with her illness, passing in and out of
hospitals and periods of homelessness, Charity Kendall successfully
completed an intense residential treatment program. She is now living
independently, earning a master's degree and openly sharing her story
with others to help increase public acceptance and understanding of
the abilities of the mentally ill.

Treatment Team Awards
---------------------

Category: Advocacy

--  The Advocacy Award honors those who demonstrate their dedication
    by speaking up for people living with schizophrenia and bipolar
    disorder.

First Place: Magnolia Clubhouse
             Cleveland, Ohio

Magnolia Clubhouse promotes recovery of people with severe mental
illness by engaging people in opportunities to reach their full
potential and be recognized in the community as co-workers, neighbors
and friends. The Clubhouse promotes self-sufficiency, employment,
education and recovery for more than 200 severely mentally ill people
a year.

Second Place: Broward Older Adult Workgroup
              Fort Lauderdale, FL

The Broward Older Adult Workgroup has established itself as a key
advocacy group in South Florida, successfully organizing and building
alliances across various mental health, substance misuse and aging
services stakeholders. The Workgroup is an effective vehicle for
improving community services for older adults in the country.

Category: Clinical Medicine

--  The Clinical Medicine Award honors those who combine effective
    protocols and compassionate strategies to achieve success in
    clinical outcomes.

First Place: COMCARE Community Support Services (CSS): 1,2,3 For Life
             Wichita, KS

1,2,3 for Life is a health promotion initiative focusing on increasing
daily physical activity and fruits and vegetable intake of adults
living with serious mental illness. COMCARE CSS is recognized for
bringing together nurses, doctors, case managers, psychosocial
rehabilitation staff, therapists and managers to promote and practice
healthier living among consumers to reduce chronic illnesses and
improve general wellness.

Second Place: Project Transition (PT)
              Chalfont, PA

PT is a uniquely integrated apartment-based residential treatment and
training program for adults with severe and persistent mental
illnesses. Consisting of three apartment-based therapeutic
communities, PT's approach emphasizes restoration and recovery through
self-management.

Category: Home Sweet Home

--  The Home Sweet Home Award celebrates the accomplishment of helping
    someone make a home.

First Place: Housing Planning and Development Program of the Mental
              Health Association in Tulsa
             Tulsa, Oklahoma

The Housing Program addresses the needs of consumers living with
homelessness by providing safe, decent and affordable housing. The
program ensures that planning is comprehensive, coordinated, and
involves consumers at every step. All programs have resulted in a
total of 70-80 percent consumer success rate for obtaining and
remaining in permanent housing.

Second Place: Path Program of Columbiana County
              Lisbon, Ohio

The PATH Program serves homeless individuals with severe and
persistent mental illnesses who are not participating in mental health
services. The program ensures safe, decent, and affordable housing to
clients and engages individuals in services that will support their
recovery.

Category: On the Job

--  The On the Job Award recognizes those who help individuals in
    their care develop the skills needed to find a meaningful job and
    the determination to keep it.

First Place: Enrichment Industries (EI)
             Daytona Beach, FL

Enrichment Industries focus is to create an environment that fosters
the attainment of individual consumers' vocational goals and
potential, EI's three sheltered workshops offer both a stepping-stone
to community employment and a career for those whose potential is
reached in such a setting.

Second Place: Peer Support Specialist Program Recovery Education
               Center META Services, Inc.
              Phoenix, AZ

The Peer Support Specialist Training help consumers develop the skills
needed to take charge of their own recovery and then give back to
their community by helping other individuals do the same.

Category: Keep Learning

--  The Keep Learning Award pays tribute to those who help consumers
    achieve their educational goals.

First Place: Consumers as Providers (CAP) Training Program
             Lawrence, KS

CAP offers individuals in recovery from severe psychiatric
disabilities the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills to enhance
employability and increase involvement in post-secondary education.

Second Place: First Step Program, Fountain House
              New York, NY

The First Step program represents collaboration among members and
staff at Fountain House and faculty from Ignatius University. The
program was design to make it easier for students to take the first
step in their college studies and obtain full, transferable college
credits.

Category: Social Support

--  The Social Support Award recognizes the exceptional dedication of
    those who help individuals in their care adopt the basic social
    and coping skills required for community interaction.

First Place: Florida Self-Directed Care (SDC) Program at Florida
              State University
             Atlantic Beach, FL

The Florida SDC program provides individuals with severe and
persistent mental illness more personal control of their recovery and
encourages them to become more proactive in the treatment and recovery
process.

Second Place: Vinfen / The Dorchester Bay Recovery Center
              Mattapan, MA

The Dorchester Bay Recovery Center is a psychosocial rehabilitation
program that works with men who have a co-occurring disorder. The
program offers groups on relapse prevention, anger management,
medication management and psychiatric symptom management.

Category: Lifetime Achievement

--  The Lifetime Achievement Award honors the healthcare professional
    who has made remarkable contributions to many lives over the
    course of time.

First Place: Pam Womack, Chief Executive Officer of the Mental Health
              Cooperative, Inc. of Nashville, TN

Pam Womack has committed her entire work experience to enhancing the
lives of persons with serious and persistent mental illness. Womack's
achievements over the course of her professional career have been vast
and have made major impacts on services to consumers throughout the
state of Tennessee.

Second Place: Laurie Harkness, PhD
              West Haven, CT

Dr. Harkness is a champion of progressive mental health services for
individuals with severe mental illnesses. Her unique ability to
advocate for consumers, partner with the community at large, and her
commitment to ensure that no consumer is left behind, sets the
benchmark for the highest quality of mental health care.

Honorary Awards
---------------

In addition, three honorary categories (Government, Media and The
Public Eye) recognize individuals who have worked to raise awareness
of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder on a local and national level in
the past year.

Public Eye: Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter

For more than two decades Mrs. Carter has worked to improve the
quality of life for people around the world. Today, she is an advocate
for mental health, early childhood immunization, human rights, and
conflict resolution through her work at The Carter Center in Atlanta.
She created and chairs the Carter Center's Mental Health Task Force,
an advisory body of experts, consumers, and advocates promoting
positive change in the mental health field.

Government: Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy of Rhode Island

As a staunch advocate for mental health reform, Congressman Kennedy
seeks to end the pervasive stigma attached to mental illness. Since
being appointed to the Appropriations Committee, Kennedy has been a
champion for mental health funding on the Labor-Health-Education and
Commerce-Justice-State Subcommittees, advocating for increases in
spending on community mental health services, new initiatives for
seniors, and other mental health programs. Children's mental health is
of great importance to Kennedy. He is the author of the Child
Healthcare Crisis Relief Act to address the drastic shortages of
mental health professionals who specialize in children's mental
health. Kennedy, who introduced the Senator Paul Wellstone Mental
Health Equitable Treatment Act, is also one of the leading champions
in Congress for ending insurance discrimination against mental health
care.

Media: Lizzie Simon

Lizzie Simon is a 27 year old with bipolar disorder and author of
"Detour: My Bipolar Road Trip in 4-D." The book focuses on her
cross-country road trip where she interviewed successful adults living
with bipolar disorder. Simon was a producer and consultant on MTV's
"True Life: I'm Bipolar", which was inspired by her book. HBO has
optioned "Detour" as a feature film.