Having survived homelessness, Ms. DiCianni is dedicated to developing affordable housing in northern Arizona -- a desirable retirement region undergoing a rising cost of living. Thanks to her tireless grant-writing efforts, NAZCARE, a unique organization run by and for people with mental illnesses like depression, plans to build eight units of affordable housing, to give people with serious mental illness a place to call home.
"Housing and meaningful employment or community service are two vital pieces of the recovery puzzle," says Ms. DiCianni, who now lives in a modest but comfortable home of her own, and passionately advocates for affordable housing with another group, the Interfaith Coalition for Compassion and Justice. "The security a home provides can create a sense of well-being and confidence that are crucial in recovery."
From early on in her treatment, Ms. DiCianni discovered that support can chip away at depression's isolating barrier -- revealing a life can be rich with purpose. Her life as an advocate began when she was discharged from a hospital after a severe depressive episode. When she found that no routine after-care was offered and that many in the remote northern region of Arizona lived far from mental health services, she organized a support group to help others like herself. Since then, her work with several groups in the Northern Arizona mental health community has established her as a powerful force for change.
NAZCARE volunteers operate six drop-in recovery centers in different communities across the vast and widespread northern region of Arizona, so people with depression are never far from support, education, training, and a place to develop other tools for recovery. The centers offer classes in subjects like suicide prevention, computer skills, assertiveness and identifying and achieving your dreams, as well as practical services like food, clothing and mentoring.
"Ms. DiCianni has shown great creativity in fostering recovery using methods that develop a sense of community," says Jane Seys, PhD, APRN, a psychiatric advanced practice nurse and Welcome Back Awards committee member. "Her work is a testament to the power of support from others in overcoming depression."
Ms. DiCianni is one of six individuals who will be honored at the seventh annual Welcome Back Awards ceremony on May 21, in Atlanta. Sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company, the Welcome Back Awards is a national program that recognizes outstanding individuals who make a difference in the depression community. In addition to her award, a $10,000 contribution from Eli Lilly and Company will be donated to NAZCARE on Ms. DiCianni's behalf.
Nominations for the 2006 Lilly Welcome Back Awards may be submitted by anyone wishing to recognize an individual for outstanding achievements within the depression community. For more information, call 800-463-6440 or visit www.welcomebackawards.com.
Source: Eli Lilly and Company
CONTACT: Helen DelleCave of Chamberlain Communications Group,
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