Linda Pierce, the 18-year case manager for the Mental Health Center of North Central Alabama in Decatur was recently recognized by her peers with the “Heroes in the Fight” award.

“The ‘Heroes in the Fight’ award is coordinated through Mental Health America in Montgomery along with input from the National Alliance on Mental Illness Alabama, the Mental Health Association in Southwest Alabama, Contact WINGS Across America, Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Mental Health Association of Etowah County and the Mental Health Association of West Alabama. In short, this is a difficult award to received and we are extremely proud of Linda and her accomplishments,” said Lisa Coleman, Clinical Director for the Mental Health Center.

The “Heroes in the Fight” program was established by Eli Lilly and Company to celebrate dignity, courage, hope and recovery in the ongoing treatment of people with serious and persistent mental illness, according to Wanda Laird, executive director for Mental Health in America in Montgomery.

Pierce has been praised by her clients and represented the highest standard in professionalism, gives her utmost to the field and is noble in her efforts to help those who need it the most, Laird said.