Alaska's Mt. McKinley is first stop on quest to climb "Seven Summits"
ANCHORAGE, AK, May 31 /PRNewswire/ -- 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(TM), 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 http://www.ExpeditionHope.org , 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. Although it is one of the most common psychiatric disorders seen by primary care physicians, it often goes undiagnosed or is under-treated. This may be in part because depressed patients often present to their primary care doctor with physical, rather than emotional complaints. 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. To learn more about how to prevent suicide, visit the American Association of Suicidology at http://www.suicidology.org .
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).
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