Boston-Area Author Wins Prestigious National Mental Health Award
May 16 2005 - 4:21PM
PR Newswire (US)
Boston-Area Author Wins Prestigious National Mental Health Award
Local Woman Honored for Fighting Stigma of Depression ATLANTA, May
16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Four years ago on Christmas Day, Terry
L. Wise attempted to take her own life. Her survival still remains
a medical mystery. Throughout the years that followed, this
Boston-area native not only overcame her depression, but also has
become a crusader for people struggling with depression who are
silenced by the isolation and stigma that nearly took her life. For
sharing her deeply personal story of depression and triumph, and
for proving that one's voice can be the most powerful tool for
recovery, this author and international public speaker has been
honored by an independent panel of national mental health leaders
with the 2005 Welcome Back Award for destigmatization. Eli Lilly
and Company sponsors the national awards program, which is in its
seventh year. A former trial attorney, Wise's life was transformed
when her husband was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease, a
terminal neurodegenerative illness. During four years of intensive
caregiving, she watched her husband slowly become trapped inside a
motionless, paralyzed body. A widow at 35, the depression that Wise
had long suppressed suddenly came to the forefront. During her
recovery process, Wise wrote "Waking Up: Climbing Through The
Darkness," a memoir of her suicide attempt and a behind closed
doors look at the process of recovering from depression. She keeps
letters written to her by readers of the book, as well as by the
many people moved by her public speaking appearances, in a binder
labeled "Words to the Wise Binder," which she reads whenever she
needs inspiration, courage or hope. "The stigma of my depression
and suicide attempt was almost lethal," says Wise. "I was
embarrassed of seeming weak. In reality, talking about depression
only makes people, their relationships and their ability to recover
stronger." In order to educate as many as she can about depression
and the divisive and harmful effects of stigma, this deeply private
woman regularly steps out of her comfort zone to share her story
with diverse audiences around the country. Wise has been the
keynote speaker at major national and international conferences.
She is an instructor for seminars to educate health professionals
and has spoken to university students, people with depression,
caregivers, suicide prevention groups and spiritual leaders. Her
message is simple -- stigma forces people with depression to be
alone with their pain and sadness at a time when being able to
reach out for help would make their recovery more accessible. "Ms.
Wise's commitment to stamping out stigma and educating others about
depression is a great example of what a difference one person can
make," says Sue Bergeson, vice president of the Depression and
Bipolar Support Alliance. "She has poured her energies into
educating anyone who will listen about depression, and many
thousands have benefited from hearing her story." Wise is one of
six individuals who will be honored at the seventh annual Welcome
Back Awards ceremony on May 21, in Atlanta. Sponsored by Lilly, the
Welcome Back Awards is a national program that recognizes
outstanding individuals who make a difference in the depression
community. In addition to her award, a $10,000 contribution from
Lilly will be donated to The American Association of Suicidology on
Ms. Wise's behalf. Nominations for the 2006 Lilly Welcome Back
Awards may be submitted by anyone wishing to recognize an
individual for outstanding achievements within the depression
community. For more information, call 800-463-6440 or visit
http://www.welcomebackawards.com/ . (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050516/WBACKLOGO
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO )
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050516/WBACKLOGO
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO DATASOURCE:
Eli Lilly and Company CONTACT: Helen DelleCave of Chamberlain
Communications Group, +1-212-884-0649
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