2010 Lilly Reintegration Award honorees announced

For the 14th straight year, Eli Lilly and Company honors mental health professionals and individuals for their exceptional contributions and achievements in helping those battling serious mental illness.

Since 1996, the Lilly Reintegration Awards have recognized approximately 175 individuals and programs in the mental health field. Specifically, the awards honor treatment teams, programs and services that assist those with severe mental illness as they re-enter the community, as well as individuals with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia who provide hope and support to their peers.

"Every year we look forward to the spotlight these awards shine on the most innovative services in supporting people with mental illness," said David Ricks, President of Lilly USA, LLC.  "It is these dedicated individuals and strong community programs that make it possible for those living with mental illness to reintegrate into society – to secure jobs, housing, education, all the essentials of a meaningful life."

Ralph Aquila, M.D., chairperson of the Awards' independent judging panel, noted his admiration for the program.  "We say this every year and it's true: these Awards recipients are the best of the brightest.  Their tireless efforts are building the future of our nation's mental healthcare, providing hope and an environment in which to heal."

The independent judging panel, comprised of mental health professionals, reviews the pool of applications and selects the honorees based on the scope and reach of programs, services and achievements. Grants are then awarded to help their particular programs succeed: first place recipients receive a $5,000 grant for their organizations and second place recipients receive a $2,500 grant.

Here is a complete list of the 2010 Lilly Reintegration Awards honorees:

Treatment Team Awards

Advocacy

1st place – Eleventh Judicial Criminal Mental Health Project

Miami, Florida

The Eleventh Judicial Circuit Criminal Mental Health Project (CMHP) of Dade County, Florida, was founded in 2000 to respond to the needs of people with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders who were involved in -- or at risk of becoming involved in -- the justice system. The CMHP diverts these individuals from the criminal justice system into housing and comprehensive treatment and support services. Once engaged in the program, people have the opportunity to achieve successful recovery, establish meaningful lives and, ultimately, help reduce the county's recidivism rate.

2nd place – Morningside-Westside Community Action Corporation

New York, New York

Founded in 1994, the Morningside-Westside Community Action Corporation (MWCAC), a non-profit organization, has been actively involved in promoting reintegration, mainstreaming and recovery for mental health consumers.  Through events and projects, the MWCAC advocates for the rights of its members, working towards improvements in governmental and private sector programs.  Additionally, The Morningside Westside Bulletin, a quarterly news journal, shares the successes of mental health consumers. The MWCAC has helped countless individuals battling mental illness realize their potential while enhancing the well-being of the larger community.

Clinical Medicine

1st place – Aurora Center for Life Skills

Aurora, Colorado

The Aurora Center for Life Skills is an innovative outpatient treatment program serving the needs of developmentally disabled adults who live with mental illness. Since the start of the program in 1986, the annual number of clients served has grown from 12 to more than 350. Services include psychiatric consultation and treatment, individual, group and family therapies, psychoeducation and residential, vocational and case management services. Clients define their own recovery goals, moving to less intensive treatment as needs change.

2nd place – Dual Recovery Program

Toledo, Ohio

Established in 1997, the mission of the Unison Behavioral Health Group's Dual Recovery Program has been to provide intense, supportive outpatient services to adults with substance abuse problems and co-occurring severe and persistent mental illnesses. Combining 54 years of clinical experience, case managers and therapists are credentialed in mental health and substance disorders. Their belief and observation is that by addressing these two diagnoses simultaneously they decrease relapse rates, hospitalizations, violence, homelessness and incarceration. The Dual Recovery Program has served over 1,000 individuals and has aided clients in continuing education, obtaining and maintaining independent housing and gainful employment, reunifying families, and strengthening familial relationships.

Employment

1st place – The COVA Prisoner Re-entry Initiative

Columbus, Ohio

In 2008, the Center of Vocational Alternatives (COVA) Prisoner Re-entry Initiative pilot was the only Second Chance Action program for prisoners with mental illness receiving federal funding. Offering employment readiness classes, group sessions and job-seeking guidance, after only two years the recidivism rate for the program's 165 participants decreased to only three percent, compared with the statewide rate of nearly 70 percent for this population. COVA is committed to moving the Prisoner Re-entry Initiative from a pilot to a permanent program and its success has influenced the state to add re-entry coordinators and forensic peers to its current re-entry structure.

2nd place – Scripps Mercy A-Visions Program

San Diego, California

Recognizing the need to maintain pace with the changing economy and implement new and innovative treatment modalities, in 2002 Scripps Mercy Hospital Behavioral Health developed A-Visions in conjunction with the San Diego Mental Health Association. The A-Visions program began with the mission to foster self-reliance and independence among consumers by providing on-the-job training in a therapeutic environment, ideally leading to competitive employment. The program provides skills training and places consumers in both volunteer and paid positions throughout the hospital. A-Visions has helped to reduce stigma, foster hope and prove that living with a mental illness should not prevent one from becoming a valued employee.

Housing

1st place – BRC Reception Center

New York, New York

The Bowery Residence Committee's (BRC) Reception Center serves chronically homeless individuals with serious mental illness, and is New York City's only clinically-based emergency shelter that takes individuals directly from the street into a program bed. The BRC Reception Center provides psychiatric and medical stabilization, in addition to case management services, with the goal of placing clients in appropriate, supportive housing within nine months of intake. Follow-up care is provided for at least one year to assist graduates in maintaining housing and continuing to successfully reintegrate into the community. Last year, the Center successfully placed 71 individuals into housing.

2nd place – SMHA Network Housing Office

Norwich, Connecticut

Since its inception in 1995, the Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA) Network Housing Office has assisted thousands of homeless individuals living with major mental illnesses to secure safe and affordable housing. The Network Housing Office was originally created as an effort to consolidate and maximize regional housing services and resources, but has evolved into a leadership role in maintaining, expanding, and improving housing services and resources throughout the region.

Social Support

1st place – The Recovery Mall

Lexington, Kentucky

Established in 2006, The Recovery Mall is Eastern State Hospital's recovery and rehabilitation program, designed to help people change, grow and recover from the effects of mental illness and substance abuse.  Set in a public psychiatric hospital, the program assists over 2,000 adults annually and offers over 60 weekly educational sessions and activities from which to choose.  All programming is evidence-based, focusing on learning needed skills and developing community supports. The Recovery Mall offerings include a resource library, gymnasium, learning center, computer lab, kitchen, and leisure center. Consumer leadership within the program is encouraged, and an on-site consumer and family center operates in collaboration with the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

2nd place – CooperRiis Healing Community

Mill Spring, North Carolina

Since its founding in 2003, the CooperRiis Healing Community has grown to include an 80-acre working farm, a downtown urban community and six residential homes for continued support.  CooperRiis holds to the philosophy that living within a community and having meaningful work can help to restore a sense of self to individuals who have lost everything to mental illness and/or substance abuse.  Their nearly 130 mission-driven staff members implement the therapeutic community model, serving 80 individuals at multiple residential sites, and more than 20 individuals living off-site in independent housing.

Consumer Awards

Achievement

1st place – Drew Horn

Freehold, New Jersey

After years of struggling with mental illness, Drew Horn found hope and inspiration by bringing joy, compassion and unconditional love to our most vulnerable citizens. He launched the Turn-A-Frown-Around Foundation (TAFA) in 2001, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing personal contact and laughter to those who have lost hope during their struggle with mental health issues, physical disorders, isolation, and abuse. When he is not personally visiting those who have not had visitors in years, Mr. Horn is placing 30-50 phone calls a day to those living in psychiatric hospitals, group residences, children's homes, nursing homes, and to shut-ins.  He and his team of volunteers have demonstrated that with love and laughter loneliness can be overcome.

Artistic Contribution

1st place – Digital Storytelling Workshop Group

Toledo, Ohio

Without any experience in animation or film-making, fifteen consumers and two group facilitators created an inspiring digital, animated film -- "The Story of Leon and Mia." The film gives consumers a voice that accurately portrays their shared life experiences, enabling the viewing audience to connect more deeply and emotionally with the characters. When shared with those battling mental illness, the film has consistently elicited relief and been a source of support.  It also has a powerful impact on mental health providers, agency board members and students, as it is used to open an honest discussion about mental illness and its many challenges.

SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company