The day culminated with author, actress and comedian Ali Wentworth, who made the room of 300 people laugh with humorous insights about her own experience with depression and psychiatric treatment. She was honored with the 2018 HOPE Award for Depression Advocacy.

Master of Ceremonies Chuck Scarborough began the event on a more somber note with a review of the year’s headlines in mental health, including the tragic suicides of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade. He reminded the audience that depression and suicide are on the rise, and that HDRF’s mission to find new and better treatments for depression is more urgent now than ever.

The keynote speaker, acclaimed neuroscientist Richard Davidson, PhD, then came to the podium to speak about the fundamentals of emotional well-being.  Dr. Davidson is the Founder and Director of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He is personal friends with the Dalai Lama and is a prolific writer on the topic of brain and emotion as well as the benefits of meditation.

He explained that his extensive brain research indicates that well-being is a skill we can develop by focusing on four components: awareness/attention, connection, insight and sense of purpose. He said that a wandering mind is an unhappy mind, and pointed out that in modern life, the average adult’s mind wanders 47% of the time. This sent a titter of nervous laughter through the audience.

Diet, sleep and exercise and their link to brain health was the topic covered by the next speaker, psychiatrist Dr. Samantha Boardman of Cornell Weill. She stressed that nutrition is as important to psychiatry as it is to cardiology or gastroenterology.

Dr. Boardman cited a study in which subjects ate only fatty and sugary foods and developed impairments in learning and memory in four days. Another study shows that young adults who ate more fruits and vegetables every day reported improved vitality and motivation in as little as two weeks. In keeping, she always recommends a Mediterranean style diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, and unsaturated oils like olive oil.

Sleep and mental health go hand in hand, Dr. Boardman said. People who don’t sleep enough are less inclined to interact with others, robbing them of healthy social bonds, studies show. Furthermore, when we lack sleep, other people perceive us as socially repulsive, creating a vicious cycle that may be contributing to the public health problem of loneliness. Dr. Boardman told the audience to cultivate better sleep habits by leaving screens out of the bedroom. She said 90% of young adults sleep with their cell phone in bed. Even more shocking: 1 in 3 smartphone owners say they would rather give up sex than their phones.

A sedentary lifestyle is worse for your health than smoking, diabetes and heart disease, Dr. Boardman said.  She added that most of us sit still for 13 hours a day, not including sleep hours. We cannot assume regular visits to the gym are sufficient. We need to move more in general – stroll around the block at lunchtime, take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk instead of calling a cab. Evidence clearly shows that being active and spending time outdoors improves our resilience, motivation and positivity.

HDRF Founder & Chair Audrey Gruss turned the focus of the day to the advanced research of HDRF’s team of acclaimed scientists, The Depression Task Force. She announced that the team has recently published a major study that points to a potential blood test for depression and new category of anti-depressant that is faster-acting and with fewer side effects than current medications in use for the past 30 years.

Audrey Gruss then presented Ali Wentworth with the HOPE Award for Depression Advocacy saying, “with keen observation and humor, she demystifies a very serious topic by inviting us all to pull up a chair and chat with her.” 

Ms. Wentworth took to the stage and joked, “My mother is an über-WASP, and when I was growing up, we didn’t talk about feelings or issues… I went through a depression in my twenties and I was in therapy and taking Zoloft, and I called my mother up and I said, ‘Is there any depression in our family?’ and she said ‘Nope, no depression.’ I said, ‘All four of my grandparents killed themselves, that’s not depression?'”

She went on to speak about how attitudes have changed around what used to be a taboo subject; she can see it in her daughter and her daughters’ friends who are speaking much more openly about mental health. “I’m very proud of her because we talk about anxiety as much as the Kardashians… 99% of the time.”

The Luncheon Seminar Co-Chairs were Ann Barish, Natalie du Pont Edmonds, Peter Gregory, Tania Higgins, Margo Langenberg, Kitty McKnight, Serena McKnight Bowman, Peter S. Paine III, Nancy Silverman andFelicia Taylor.

Additional guests included: Geoffrey Bradfield, Janna Bullock, Sharon Bush, Hilary Geary Ross, Jamee Gregory, Susan Gutfreund, Kim Heirston, Chicago Fire actor Jeff Lima, Karen LeFrak, Jay McInerney, Christine Mack, Marc Rosen, Margo Nederlander, Marina Pellechi, Jean Shafiroff, Scott Snyder, and Lis Waterman.

ABOUT HOPE FOR DEPRESSION RESEARCH FOUNDATION

HDRF’s mission is to fund the most innovative neuroscience research into the origins, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of depression and other mood disorders – bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress syndrome, anxiety disorder and suicide.

In 2010, HDRF launched its Depression Task Force – an outstanding collaboration of eight leading scientists, at the frontiers of brain science, from different research institutions across the U.S. and Canada. These scientists have developed an unprecedented research strategy that integrates the most advanced knowledge in genetics, epigenetics, molecular biology, electrophysiology, and brain imaging. To accelerate breakthrough research, they share ongoing results, in real time, at the HDRF Data Center. For more information, visit: www.hopefordepression.org

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The high-energy crowd, which included CBS’s Blue Bloods star Lorraine Bracco, The Watermill Center’s Robert Wilson, and Jenny and John Paulson, set out at 9am to complete a tree-lined 5K course around Lake Agawam. The USA Track and Field-sanctioned event raised more than $250,000 for advanced depression research.

Speaking from the steps of the Southampton Cultural Center just before the starting gun, HDRF Founder and Chair Audrey Gruss said, “Depression is the number-one reason in the world for disability, and the leading cause of suicide. We want people to know there is help, and we need more research if we are going to turn the tide on depression and suicide in this country, so thank you all for coming out to support the cause today.”

Southampton Village Mayor Michael Irving helped kick-off the event and cut the ribbon at the starting line. “The Walk of Hope has gathered the entire community to raise awareness about depression,” he said, adding, “I am so proud to see such an enormous turn-out and outpouring of support from our Village!”

Hope was in abundant supply as everybody sported caps in HDRF’s signature sunshine yellow, along with t-shirts with a custom design by Robert Wilson. The competitive runners – 89 in all – burst through the starting line, followed by families and fun runners. Following the race, Audrey Gruss and her team presented medals for best times in various age categories. Travis Taylor won the best time in the Adult Male category, and Tara Farrell won best time in the Adult Female category. Mark Jacobello, age 13, won for best youth male, and Caroline Clagne, age 13, won for best youth female.

Gruss then presented awards to the top individual fundraisers Scott Snyder and Kim Heirston, and an award for Top Fundraising Team to Arthur Dunnam and Roy Cohen, who named their team after their dog Oskar, who was in attendance.

 This year, the Walk of Hope + 5K Run was heralded by the Week of Hope, a village-wide effort in Southampton to raise mental health awareness that started on July 26^th, 2018. More than 90 stores in Southampton “turned yellow” by placing two-foot wide yellow statement balloons by their front door to symbolize hope and their commitment to changing the staggering statistics around depression.

The initiative came in the wake of the suicides of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade, as well as local Sag Harbor resident and publicist Jeanine Pepler.  Each shocking loss is a reminder that the suicide rate is rising in the U.S. and that depression is a national health epidemic. Every 12 minutes a person dies by suicide in the United States; depression is the leading cause.

Additional participants included: Southampton Hospital’s Steve Bernstein, Somers Farkas, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Martin Gruss, Campion Platt and his children,Clelia and Tom Zacharias, Marigay McKee and Bill Ford, Erika Bloom, Samantha Gregory and Roberto Benabib with their daughter, Carolina Gregory-Benabib,Dr. Patrick Stubgen and Dana Hammond Stubgen, Janna Bullock, Jessica and Josh Gruss, Karen LeFrak, Caroline Bierbaum LeFrak and Jamie LeFrak and their children.

The Walk of Hope was supported by its Committee members: Lisa Aery, Nona Murphy Collin, Arthur Dunnam, Christine Mack, Jay McInerney, Anne and Jacques Nordeman, and Alicia Owen.

The Walk of Hope + 5K Run starts the lead-in to the 11^th Annual Luncheon Seminar which will be held on November 6^th, 2018.  The event will focus on “Brain Health and Wellness – the Science of Self Care,” and will honor public figures speaking out about depression and salute the research progress of HDRF’s acclaimed team of world-renowned neuroscientists.

Audrey Gruss founded HDRF in April 2006 in memory of her mother Hope, who struggled with clinical depression. Today, HDRF is the leading nonprofit organization focused solely on depression research and public education.  The World Health Organization has declared depression as the leading cause of disability worldwide, but despite its prevalence, depression is still misunderstood, underfunded and under-researched. The mission of the HDRF is to fund innovative neuroscience research into the origins, medical diagnosis, new treatments, and prevention of depression and its related mood disorders – bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder and suicide.

To date, HDRF has provided more than $30-million through over 125 grants for breakthrough depression research that promises to transform the way depression is viewed, diagnosed, treated and prevented.

About depression:

• In the United States, depression affects over 20-million adults each year – that’s one in ten adults.
• Depression is the leading cause of suicide. In the United States, a person dies by suicide every 12 minutes – over 41,000 people per year.
• Depression is the number one cause of disability worldwide.
• The current annual cost to US society of treating depression alone is $210-billion – 60% of which represents reduced efficiency at work and costs related to suicide.

The Crisis in Research:

• Although depression is one of the most serious and prevalent conditions in the US, it is ranked 77^th. (out of 250) in the amount of federal funding it receives.
• Most of the major pharmaceutical companies have discontinued brain research.
• Talented young brain scientists are being recruited overseas.
• There are very few privately-funded companies in depression research.

What Makes HDRF Different

• The Depression Task Force represents the most innovative approach to neuroscience research today.
• The Task Force has created an unprecedented research plan with each member executing a piece of the plan in their own laboratories.
• They are not going down well-worn paths of research. They have identified major challenges in the field and are laser focused on the areas where the field is stuck.
• They share results in real time at a centralized data bank.  This allows them to leverage data to accelerate research.
• This is unheard of in the entire scientific research field which is normally competitive and not collaborative.

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On Saturday August 5^th, 2017, lace up your sneakers and join Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF) as they set out on the second annual Walk of Hope + 5K Run to Defeat Depression. The USA Track and Field sanctioned event will raise awareness and funds for advanced depression research with every dollar raised going directly to research.

Author Jay McInerney will serve as Grand Marshal and HDRF’s Founder Audrey Gruss will lead participants of runners, walkers and all supporters of all ages on a beautiful route around Lake Agawam in Southampton Village.   The event is high-spirited, family-focused, inspiring and fun. The first 500 participants will receive a keepsake event hat; and prizes will be awarded for best time in different age categories as well as for the top individual fundraiser and top fundraising team.

Audrey Gruss founded HDRF in April 2006 in memory of her mother Hope, who struggled with clinical depression. Today, HDRF is the leading nonprofit organization focused solely on depression research.  The World Health Organization has declared depression as the leading cause of disability worldwide, but despite its prevalence, depression is still misunderstood, underfunded and under-researched. The mission of the HDRF is to fund innovative neuroscience research into the origins, medical diagnosis, new treatments, and prevention of depression and its related mood disorders – bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder and suicide.  To date, HDRF has provided more than $20 million through over 125 grants for accelerated breakthrough depression research that promises to lead to new and better medications and treatments. Register online by clicking here or call 212.676.3205.

Registration Information:

• Date: Saturday August 5^th, 2017
• Meeting Point: The Cultural Center, 25 Pond Lane, Southampton, NY
• Time: Check-in begins at 7:45am and the Walk + 5k Run begins at 9am
• Cost: $50 per adult, and $15 per child (14 and under) and includes special hat and t-shirt

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