Mountain Climber Leads Expedition of Hope for People Battling Depression

American Joe Lawson today has embarked on a journey to climb the world's highest peaks to focus global attention on the
need for greater depression awareness, treatment and support. As a teenager, Lawson's father committed suicide after a long
battle with depression. In honor of his memory he formed Expedition Hope™, with the goal of preventing similar tragedies.



"My father's illness left him feeling isolated and too ashamed to ask for help," said Lawson. "That's why I'm dedicating this
effort to him. I want to focus attention on the stigma that keeps so many with mental illness from seeking the treatment they
so desperately need."


Should Lawson reach the highest peak on each continent, he will join an elite group of climbers to have accomplished this
feat -- fewer than 100 worldwide. With the help of Eli Lilly and Company, his journey begins in North America with Alaska's
Mt. McKinley (20,320 feet). Lawson will chronicle his climb on the Web at ExpeditionHope , where people also can
learn more about depression and how they can support programs that help those with mental illness.


"With mountain climbing, you have to overcome many obstacles in order to reach the final goal. Yet it can be done with the
right training and assistance," said Lawson. "The same can be said for people with depression and those who care for them.
With the help of a healthcare professional and a support network, relief is possible."


Lawson is an experienced mountain climber with previous involvement in the Discovery Channel Eco-Challenge adventure race
events and several adventure travel 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 suicidology.


About the Seven Summits


Mt. McKinley, also known as Denali, is considered the most challenging of the Seven Summits after Mt. Everest, based on
technical difficulty, physical hardship and altitude. After completing Mt. McKinley, Lawson will attempt to climb Mt.
Aconcagua (South America), Mt. Kilimanjaro (Africa), Mt. Elbrus (Europe), Mt. Cartenz Pyramid (Oceania), Mt. Vinson Massif
(Antarctica), and Mt. Everest (Asia).


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 lilly. O-LLY


(i) National Institute of Mental Health. Depression Research at the National Institute of Mental Health: Fact Sheet.
Available at nimh.nih/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:
mentalhealth.samhsa/suicideprevention/suicidefacts.asp. Accessed April 15, 2004.


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