Philanthropist Celebrated for Bringing Mental Illness Out of the Shadows

It was over 30 years ago at a symposium at Columbia University when Dr. Herbert Pardes first met Connie Lieber and her husband Stephen Lieber. They spoke with him about supporting mental health programs and research on mental illness. That conversation has led to over $379 million in grants from the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation to over 4,000 of the most innovative scientists around the world.

Mrs. Lieber served as President of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, formerly known as the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD) from 1989 to 2007. She then continued to provide leadership as President-Emerita until 2016. Under her leadership, the Foundation became a major global institution in mental health and psychiatric research. She and her husband transformed the private sector support for psychiatric research by awarding grants to scientists from a broad variety of disciplines – including biochemistry, pharmacology, genetics, psychology, and psychiatry.

Dr. Herbert Pardes, President of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Scientific Council and Executive Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital said, "Connie Lieber was a global champion for mental health and an extraordinary humanitarian. Not only did she work tirelessly to support scientists in the field, but guided by her own personal experience and compassion, she informally advised thousands of parents who were desperately seeking help for their children." 

He added, "Mrs. Lieber's hope was to alleviate suffering by finding cures for mental illnesses and banishing the stigma that for too long has been associated with psychiatric disorders. Her work continues. We are dedicated to making her dreams a reality."

Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein, President and CEO of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation said, "Connie Lieber has left us an outstanding legacy of generosity, brilliance and compassion. She was our leader and guiding light, providing inspiration and motivation to all who ever had the honor and privilege of knowing and working with her." 

Married for over 65 years, Connie and Steve Lieber were dedicated partners, leading the way in public advocacy and philanthropic support of psychiatric research. At Columbia University, they founded two centers of excellence – the Lieber Recovery and Rehabilitation Clinic and the Lieber Center for Schizophrenia Research and Treatment. At Williams College, they were the founders of the undergraduate neuroscience program. In 2011, they created the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, affiliated with Johns Hopkins University. Mrs. Lieber passed away in 2016. Steve Lieber is currently the Chairman of the Board of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.

About the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation is committed to alleviating the suffering of mental illness by awarding grants that will lead to advances and breakthroughs in scientific research. The Foundation funds the most innovative ideas in neuroscience and psychiatry to better understand the causes and develop new ways to treat brain and behavior disorders. These disorders include depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Since 1987, the Foundation has awarded more than $379 million to fund more than 5,000 grants to more than 4,000 leading scientists around the world. This has led to over $3.5 billion in additional funding for these scientists. The Foundation is also dedicated to educating the public about mental health and the importance of research including the impact that new discoveries have on improving the lives of those with mental illness, which will ultimately enable people to live full, happy and productive lives.

For more information about the Pardes Humanitarian Prize in Mental Health, please visit www.bbrfoundation.org. Follow the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation on Facebook and Twitter @bbrfoundation. Follow the Pardes Prize on Twitter @PardesPrize.

SOURCE Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

Related Links

http://www.bbrfoundation.org