BRIEF: Mental health group presents annual Iris Awards

May 28--The La Crosse County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI, presented Iris Awards to several people and one company for their efforts to help people and families affected by mental illness.

Honored were:

* Kathy Rohr, Community Support Program administrator at the Family and Children's Center, for leading the successful program.

* Ken Weinberg and John Cox of the Family and Children's Center for opening The Other Door Drop-In Center in Viroqua, which offers a place to gather for those with mental health or substance abuse problems.

* Thom Downer, executive director of the La Crosse Area Veterans Mentor Program, who works with hundreds of veterans who struggle with combat and service-related behavioral health issues.

* Irwin Capaul, a long-time NAMI volunteer.

* Logistics Health Inc. for helping launch the Campaign to Change Direction, a national and local effort created in March to make people aware of the Five Signs of Suffering in people with mental health issues and to change the thinking about mental health and wellness. Receiving the award on behalf of the company were Katie Drury of LHI, and Teresa Pulvermacher and Amy Danielson of Riverside Corporate Wellness.

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