Fifth Annual Fountain House Symposium and Luncheon
Co-chairs Anne Mai, Patricia Begley, Lynn Nicholas, Alexandra Herzan, Lorna Hyde Graev.
The
fifth annual Fountain House Symposium and Luncheon,
which was held in the Grand Ballroom of The Pierre on April 28, honored Senator
Robert A. Antonioni and raised a record-breaking $1,150,000
to fund mental health services. The symposium, entitled, “Close
to the Vest: Men and Depression,” featured a panel discussion
of this taboo subject by three leaders in the fields of mental health
research, treatment, advocacy, and public policy: Gerard
Sanacora, MD, PhD; Dennis S. Charney, MD; Philip
Burguières.
The event's chairs were Patricia Begley, Lorna
Hyde Graev, Alexandra Herzan and Anne
Mai. The Program chair was Lynn Nicholas,
PsyD., and Glenn Close and Congressman
Patrick J. Kennedy were honorary chairs. Consuelo
Mack served as Master of Ceremonies. The afternoon
began with a reception followed by a symposium. During lunch, panelists
and chairs took to the stage to begin an inspiring and informative
explanation of mental illness and depression in men. It also
touched on the important and meaningful work of the 60-year old
award winning non-profit organization. Fountain House provides
housing, employment, wellness and educational services to men,
women and young adults with major mental illness. Guests
then viewed Lance's Story, a film
about the life of a current Fountain House member.
It is estimated that each year, depressive illnesses affect over
7 million men. Twice as many women as men report having depression;
however, most researchers believe men do not recognize or report
their illness. Because men are less likely than women to recognize
the symptoms of depression, and therefore seek treatment far less
often, they are more likely to self-medicate inappropriately with
alcohol or non-prescription drugs. Suicide is the third leading
cause of death in young men. Fountain House has served over
16,000 men and women with severe mental illness.
Vice chairs and Committee members included Ann Barish, Brook and Roger
Berlind, Sharon Handler and Ambassador
John L. Loeb,Jr., Geoffrey R. Hoguet and Annalu
Ponti, Richard Holbrooke, George and Mariana
Kaufman, Kari and Carl Tiedemann,Denise
Wohl,Jeff and Peggy Bewkes, Ambassador and Mrs.
William McCormick Blair, Frances Beatty Adler and Allen
Adler,Arthur G. Altschul, Jr., Barbara
Bancroft, Dana Buchman, Barry Friedberg and Charlotte
Moss, Marjorie Reed Gordon, Betsy and Victor
Gotbaum, Fernanda W. Niven, Laura and Richard
Parsons, Elizabeth T. Peabody, Pauline Pitt, Hilary Geary Ross,
Fernanda Kellogg and Kirk Henckels, Patricia and John Rosenwald,
Diana L. Taylor, Topsy Taylor, Louise Potter Ross, Sydney R. Shuman,
Laurie M. Tisch, Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch. The
afternoon was also well attended by others on the social circuit,
including: Lauren Bush, Alexia Hamm Ryan,
Audrey Gruss, Gail Hilson, Jeanne Lawrence, Michèle Gerber
Klein, Ann Rapp,Susan Fales-Hill, Kitty McKnight,
Emilia Saint-Amand, Courtney Allinson Arnot, Wendy Breck, Leslie
Stahl, Barbara de Portago, Marlene Hess and Mark
Gilbertson.
Honoree Senator Antonioni.
Dr. Charney, Dr. Sanacora, Consuelo Mack, Philip Burguieres.
Kenn Dudek, Glenn Close.
Alexia Hamm Ryan, Audrey Gruss.
Alice Burguieres, Lauren Bush, Lorna Hyde Graev.
Gail Hilson, Jeanne Lawrence.
Sharon Handler, Susan Fales-Hill.
Ann Barish, Denise Wohl.
Hilary Geary Ross.
Sydney Shuman.
Michele Gerber Klein, Ann Rapp.
Kilean van Renssalaer, Lil Phillips, Mark Gilbertson.
