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TV Show Says Depression Was Lincoln's Driving Force
History channel presents Lincoln on January 16
Dec. 28, 2005 – Senior citizens – many not
strangers to depression – may find hope and encouragement in a special
program by the History Channel that features the "remarkable
accomplishments" of President Abraham Lincoln, despite his life-long
struggle with depression.
The History Channel and the National Mental Health
Association formed a partnership in promotion of the program, scheduled
to air Monday, Jan. 16, at 8 p.m. /7 p.m. (central).
The film argues depression was the driving force
behind Lincoln's ultimate transcendence from modest origins to the
American Presidency. THC and NMHA collaboration will focus on educating
Americans on mental health through Lincoln's experiences and work to
dispel the stigma surrounding mental health problems and treatments.
"Lincoln is a powerful and telling story of one of
America's greatest leaders who used his own personal turmoil to fuel
grand achievements," said Judy Klein Frimer, director of Brand
Enhancement at The History Channel. "The NMHA partnership provides the
opportunity to advance the importance of proper mental health care and
the acceptance of the 54 million Americans who struggle with mental
illnesses."
The program, which includes interviews with experts
fully- versed on Lincoln's multi-faced persona, brings a fresh
perspective and an even greater appreciation of what a special
achievement his life truly was. Americans know Abraham Lincoln as the
emancipator of slaves, the man who held America together in its darkest
days. But few know the Lincoln who battled suicidal thoughts and at
times called himself "The loneliest man in the world."
"It is hard for many to imagine that one of the
greatest world leaders faced such personal struggles," said Cynthia
Wainscott, board chair of NMHA. "Lincoln's life serves as an example to
us all. Like Lincoln, many of us will experience hardship and setbacks
at some point in our lives. It may be due to an illness, divorce, loss
of a loved one, financial problems, discrimination or natural disaster.
No matter the cause, how we meet the adversity determines how we move
forward in our own lives."
The History Channel is also partnering with Book
Sense, a national chain of independent bookstores, to promote the
upcoming Lincoln special. Each bookstore will feature donation
containers for individuals to support NMHA programs to increase
understanding of mental health and mental illness and decrease the
barriers to wellness Americans often face.
Learning from Lincoln:
Here are some of the common threads that enabled
Lincoln to face and overcome his obstacles:
Positive outlook: Staying hopeful and positive is
key to recovery from any setback. In fact, hardships may help us become
stronger and wiser. As British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli once
said, "What appear to be calamities are often the sources of fortune."
Perseverance: To bounce back from adversity, it's
vital to stay focused and firm. We often need to fight for ourselves to
get what we need to recover.
Service to others: By helping others, we can in
turn help ourselves. We can gain perspective on our own plight as well
as feel a sense of purpose.
Sense of humor: There is nothing more important
than a healthy sense of humor in dealing with adversity. The ability to
laugh helps us to get through the most difficult times. Winston
Churchill, another leader who experienced depression, once said "If you
are going through hell, keep going."
Self-knowledge: The more we inform ourselves about
our situation, the better we can handle the ups and downs we face.
Without knowledge, we have less control over our own future.
Staying connected: Hardships are not times to go
through alone. Support from friends and family is an important part of
overcoming any adversity. As Lincoln once said, "I am a success today
because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn't have the heart to
let him down."
"If a person's personal battles - whether
health-related or situational - become too overwhelming, he or she
should always seek help from a mental health professional. There is
nothing shameful in reaching out for help. Lincoln did. And there is no
reason to forge through it alone. We have better treatments than Lincoln
did - treatments that can help all of us rise above our challenges,"
said Wainscott.
For free information and referrals, individuals can
contact their local Mental Health Association or the National Mental
Health Association at 800-969-NMHA (6642) or visit
http://www.nmha.org.
The History Channel
Now reaching more than 88 million Nielsen
subscribers, The History Channel(r), "Where the Past Comes Alive(r),"
brings history to life in a powerful manner and provides an inviting
place where people experience history personally and connect their own
lives to the great lives and events of the past. The History Channel has
earned six News and Documentary Emmy(r) Awards and received the
prestigious Governor's Award from the Academy of Television Arts &
Sciences for the network's "Save Our History(r)" campaign dedicated to
historic preservation and history education. The History Channel web
site is located at
http://www.History.com. Press Only: For more information and
photography, visit http:// www.historychannelpress.com.
The National Mental Health Association
The National Mental Health Associations is the
country's oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all
aspects of mental health and mental illness. With more than 340
affiliates nationwide, NMHA works to improve the mental health of all
Americans through advocacy, education, research and service.
Book Sense
Book Sense(tm) is a national marketing effort of
the American Booksellers Association that communicates the passion,
personality, character, community, and knowledge of independent
bookstores. The four main components of Book Sense are the Book Sense
Picks fliers (monthly recommendations from independent booksellers
nationwide), the Book Sense Bestseller List (a weekly list of
bestselling books in independent bookstores nationwide), the consumer
website BookSense.com, and the national electronic Book Sense Gift Card
program. As a partner of The History Channel, Book Sense has asked its
participating stores to promote "Lincoln" with in-store displays and
community events. For more about the Book Sense program, to shop online,
or to find a store near, visit
http://www.BookSense.com. For information about the American
Booksellers Association, the trade group for independent bookstores,
visit
http://www.BookWeb.org.
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