The University of Michigan has approved the renaming of its depression center in recognition of the Eisenberg family, which has gifted $30 million to fund research on the disease.
The UM Depression Center will be known as the Frances and Kenneth Eisenberg and Family Depression Center after the UM board of regents approved the name change during a regular meeting Thursday.
The Eisenberg family, which made its wealth through the ownership of Dearborn-based Kenwal Steel Corp., donated $10.75 million to the center in 2016. The other $19.75 million gift to the center was made earlier this month, according to the university.
"Thanks to the Eisenbergs' extraordinary commitment to moving depression and bipolar illnesses out of the shadows and into the sunlight of advanced scientific research, discovery and evidence-based care, our university will be able to accelerate the pace of prevention, detection, treatment and support," UM President Mark Schlissel said in a news release. "It's hard for me to imagine a more important and timely investment in medical research than what is being made by the Eisenberg family."
Some of the Eisenbergs' donation will be focused on researching depression related to the pandemic. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last June noted the rise of mental health issues, substance use and suicidal ideation during the pandemic. In a representative panel survey, more than 40 percent of adults reported "at least one adverse mental or behavioral health condition" due to the global public health emergency, the report said.
"With the pandemic, we are finally talking about how central mental health is to our everyday lives," Kenneth Eisenberg said in the release. "There is a growing awareness about how pervasive conditions like depression are across the nation. There's promise in that awareness. Depression, in all of its forms, has robbed millions of people of joy, purpose, relationships, and even lives."
Kenneth Eisenberg served for 50 years as CEO of Kenwal Steel before retiring last November when his son Stephen took the helm.
Kenneth and Frances Eisenberg are both UM alum and have gifted a total of $39 million to the university, including to the Taubman Medical Research Institute, the Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies and to the school of education and teaching works, school of social work, athletics department and the university musical society.
The UM Depression Center was founded in 2001 as the world's first comprehensive center established to fight depression during a time when the disease was heavily stigmatized.
"Frances and I wanted to provide a gift that would exponentially grow the potential to change millions of people's lives for the better, as well as provide momentum to the incredible work that the Depression Center is doing in this area," Eisenberg said. "It's a message of hope and promise of better lives for millions."