Celebrating “hope” for three individuals affected in some way by mental illness and also honoring seven individuals as mental health “heroes” making a positive impact on the daily lives of those suffering from mental illness, the Partnership For Mental Health Inc. has bestowed its third annual Hope and Heroes awards.
Attended by 200 guests and held at the Eastgate Receptions May 13, the Celebration of Hope and Heroes is an annual event designed to draw much-needed attention to the many mental health issues in our community, and, perhaps most importantly, to help fight, and hopefully someday eliminate, the pervasive stigma that still surrounds many mental health issues.
“This is always a very special day for the Partnership,” said president Ann Hoffman-Ruffner. “The celebration honors those persons whose recovery process has inspired ‘hope’ to others on the road to recovery, and to honor and recognize our community advocates, or ‘heroes,’ who serve as exceptional role models in the mental health community.”
The “hope” awards were presented to Dean Carter, who was honored with the hope in recovery award, Sarah Gallant, with the making a difference peer support award, and Luke Beischel, who was presented with the Patty Duke advocacy award.