New York Psychiatrist Wins Prestigious National Mental Health Award

New York Psychiatrist Wins Prestigious National Mental Health
Award
Award Honors Work Benefiting the City's Indigent and Minority Communities 


ATLANTA, May 17  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Jorge R. Petit, M.D., is a champion
of people living with depression and other mental illnesses who are in the
greatest need -- those whose illnesses are compounded by factors such as
poverty, homelessness or decreased access to care.  For making it his vocation
to provide effective care for all people -- including the city's impoverished,
minority communities and the homeless -- this native New Yorker has been
honored by an independent panel of national mental health leaders with the 2005
Welcome Back Award for psychiatry.  Eli Lilly and Company sponsors the national
awards program, which is in its seventh year.

While in medical school in Argentina, Dr. Petit gravitated towards practicing
psychiatry, which he saw as the more human side of medicine.  He cut his teeth
as a fellow of Public Psychiatry at Columbia University, and honed his skills
at Bellevue Hospital's Bilingual Treatment program.  Later, as acting chair of
the psychiatry department of Harlem's North General Hospital, he forged an
alliance with a local homeless shelter to provide psychiatric care to a
population that is often overlooked, but has some of the most serious needs.

"Being a giving member of my community was a strong part of my upbringing and
the most important thread running through my work is the need to give back,"
says Dr. Petit.  "I practice among those with the most need.  To me, that's
what is important in life."

In addition to his work with the homeless, Dr. Petit co-founded Alsofa, Inc., a
multimedia education group focusing on bridging the gap for Latinos who live
with depression and other mental illnesses, but struggle with cultural barriers
to treatment.  On Alsofa.org, the group's mental health information Web site,
elements of Latino culture are integrated with the message that depression is
not one's "cross to bear," and readers learn that the illness can be overcome
with treatment.

To influence a wider Latino audience, Dr. Petit published The Seven Beliefs; A
Step-By-Step Guide To Help Latinas Recognize and Overcome Depression last year.
 This widely acclaimed guide, the first bilingual self- help book for Hispanic
women with depression, fights the stigma of depression in a culturally
sensitive, user-friendly format.

Broadening his reach even further, Dr. Petit recently became associate
commissioner for program services in the New York City Department of Health and
Mental Hygiene, making decisions on the hundreds of programs that are the
bigger picture of New York's mental health care system.

"Because of Dr. Petit's work in expanding depression information out to groups
like Latinos and the homeless, many have sought help because of his efforts
when they would otherwise have stayed silent," says Marilyn Martin, M.D.,
psychiatrist and Welcome Back Awards committee member.  "He is a true example
of a community psychiatrist, even if his community now is the five boroughs of
New York City."

Dr. Petit 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
his award, a $10,000 contribution from Lilly will be donated to Alsofa, Inc. on
Dr. Petit'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



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