Nominations Open for 2014 Inspiring Hope Awards

Honoring Outstanding Achievements in Mental Health

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Council for Behavioral Health (National Council)is now accepting nominations for the 2014 Inspiring Hope Awards, supported by Eli Lilly and Company, which recognize exceptional contributions in the fight against mental illness.  

The Inspiring Hope Awardsare built on the legacy of the Lilly Reintegration and Welcome Back Awards  and recognize individuals who have shown extraordinary tenacity and courage in battling mental illness as well as the professionals and organizations that care for and support hope, recovery and wellness.

The awards include 12 different categories for outstanding individuals or organizations, including:

• Artistic Expression
• Educational Achievement
• Employment
• Doc of the Year
• Mental Health Professional of the Year
• Peer Specialist of the Year
• Science to Service
• Integration & Wellness
• Community Advocacy
• Public Education
• Rising Star
• Reintegration Lifetime Achievement

Eligibility information and applications for each category are available on the National Council's website.

The Inspiring Hope Awards are a part of the National Council Awards of Excellence, incorporating 20 categories in total. All nominations are accepted through an online submission process and must be completed by October 31, 2013.

Honorees are selected from hundreds of nominations by a panel of behavioral health leaders. Honorees receive ten thousand dollars to be donated to a nonprofit of their choosing and are recognized at a memorable red carpet event in conjunction with the National Council's 2014 Conference in Washington, DC (travel expenses paid).

Honorees in 2013 included Lois and Sam Bloom; Alison Malmon; Mark and Carol Graham; Dr. Geogy Thomas; Dr. Timothy Florence; Elliott Steele; Dylan Henry, Morgan Henry, Travis Henry, and Mari Antclif; Works of Heart Art Event and Auction Family Service & Guidance Center; Child and Adolescent Bipolar Services (CABS); Fountain House; Thresholds; Main Street Housing; and Bipolar Babe Andrea Paquette. Read about all 2013 honorees.

About the National Council for Behavioral Health
The National Council for Behavioral Health (National Council) is the unifying voice of America's community mental health and addictions treatment organizations. Together with our 2,000 member organizations, we serve our nation's most vulnerable citizens — the more than eight million adults and children living with mental illnesses and addiction disorders. We are committed to ensuring all Americans have access to comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery and full participation in community life. The National Council pioneered Mental Health First Aid in the U.S. and has trained nearly 100,000 individuals to connect youth and adults in need to mental health and addictions care in their communities.

About Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly)
Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of 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.

Contact: Meena Dayak, meenad@thenationalcouncil.org or 202.684.3728

SOURCE National Council for Behavioral Health