"I will continue to work to eradicate any stigma or shame associated with mental health issues," Gore said at the ceremony.

In 1999 Gore, wife of former Vice President Al Gore, launched the National Mental Health Awareness Campaign as part of the first White House Conference on Mental Health. The campaign is an educational initiative that seeks to raise awareness about mental illness among the general population and put an end to stigma associated with mental illness.

At the end of last year, Gore appeared on national news programs to talk about the occurrence of depression and acute stress responses following the September 11 terrorist attacks and to urge people to get screened for depression.

In past years, Gore has been open about her own experience with mental illness. Her struggle with depression—from which her mother, Margaret Ann Aitcheson, also suffered—began after her son was seriously injured in a 1989 car accident.

Just prior to being honored by the University of Miami School of Medicine, Gore learned that her ailing mother had passed away at the age of 77. Gore dedicated the award to the memory of her mother, and shortly thereafter the University of Miami department of psychiatry renamed the annual award the Margaret Ann Aitcheson Humanitarian Award.

The award honors those who show ongoing dedication, commitment, and leadership in the mental health field.

"As a leader and strong patient advocate," Eva Ritvo, M.D., professor and director of continuing professional education in the University of Miami’s department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, said of Gore, "She has worked to educate Americans about the need for quality and affordable mental health care." In addition, continued Ritvo, "she has served as a vocal proponent for the parity of mental health benefits under medical insurance plans."

The Florida Psychiatric Society and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill sponsored the awards ceremony.

More information about the National Mental Health Awareness Campaign is posted on the Web at www.nostigma.org. ▪