Mountain Climber Reaches First Peak As Part Of Expedition To Help People Battling Depression

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 ) 

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DATASOURCE: Expedition Hope



CONTACT:  Raena Latina of Expedition Hope(TM), [phone],

 ; or Carole Witsken Puls of Eli Lilly and

Company, Inc., [phone],  

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