Grier Hammond Henchy, the daughter of Brooke Shields, acted as Co-Teen Grand Marshal. Grier is following in her mother’s advocacy footsteps, as Brooke herself was honored by HDRF in 2009 for speaking openly about her experience with depression.  

NBC’s Morning News Now anchor Savannah Sellers was this year’s Race Emcee and Soul Cycle Master Instructor Stacey Griffith, mental health advocate, and influencer on social media, spun her signature playlists as the DJ for the second year in a row. Her music energized the crowd, as they prepared and cheered for the Race to begin against the backdrop of New York Harbor.

Sellers said: “We are focused on people who are the same age as a lot of you who are here, and some of the statistics around this are just so startling.” She continued, “The fact that one in three teens say that they persistently feel sad or hopeless. Same with each day, about 4,000 children and teens attempt suicide…This is something that we can work to change by doing things like what you’re doing today.”

HDRF Founding Chair Audrey Gruss also took the podium before the Race to acknowledge the teens for their support and commitment to mental health awareness and speak about the foundation’s core mission.

Gruss said: “One of HDRF’s main goals is to bring awareness to and educate people about depression, anxiety, and all the related mood disorders. The second part of our mission is to raise funds for the most advanced neuroscience research to find out what causes depression, new treatments, and how to prevent it.”

Hayden Lucas, a senior at Dwight High School on the Upper West Side, and Noelle Saldana, a junior at Fieldston School in the Bronx, were Lead Student Ambassadors, and also Co-Teen Grand Marshals alongside Grier Henchy. Noelle will be taking over for Hayden as the new leader of the HDRF Student Ambassador Program, a group of twenty teens from schools all across the city who are empowered by HDRF to engage in their communities to raise awareness about the Teen Race of Hope.

Lucas said: “Today, hundreds of participants are here to make a difference, not only for medical research that we help fund, but also in coming together to create this community of care surrounding mental health.”

Saldana said: “Every step we take today is a step towards a more understanding world. We are showing that together we can create a future where mental health is prioritized, where no one has to face their struggles alone, and where hope is always within reach.”

The state of teen mental health across the nation is more urgent than ever before. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 15 to 19 and almost 4,000 children and teens attempt suicide every day. 

Before the Race began, an Ambassador from NYC Teenspace/Talkspace spoke about their program which was established by the New York Department of Health and Powered by Talkspace to bring free therapy sessions to teens aged 13-17. Event participants were encouraged to sign up that day.

The Teen Race of Hope is a 5K (3.1 mile) U.S. Track and Field-certified race.  At the starting gun, Grier, Hayden, and Noelle led participants, all sporting HDRF’s signature sunshine yellow color with matching caps and t-shirts, on a beautiful 5K (3.1-mile) course starting at Pier 76 Hudson River Park and continuing along the esplanade with stunning views of the Hudson River.  A sampling of the schools represented included: Chapin, Dalton, Dwight, Fieldston School, Grace Church, John Bowne, Nightingale-Bamford, Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics, Marymount, Phillips Exeter Academy, Red Bank Catholic, Renaissance Charter School, Speyer Legacy, Stuyvesant, and Trevor Day School.

Some participants ran competitively, while others walked or strolled with friends. No matter their speed or age, all the racers united in a common purpose – to support research into new treatments for depression and to fight the stigma still associated with seeking help.

The even, is HDRF’s only Race of Hope in New York City and the first one to be youth- focused. HDRF also has held an annual Race of Hope in Palm Beach, FL and Southampton, NY.

At the close of the Race, Audrey Gruss presented awards to the top finishers.  First prize for Top Male Finisher went to Matteo Ruiz (17:28.81), and first prize for the Top Female Finisher went to Mariam Ashamsi (24:48.94).  

Second placefor Top Male Finisher went to Arturo Puerto (18:55.50) and second placefor the Top Female Finisher went to Maggie Clancy (24:48.94), third place for Top Male Finisher went to Bentley Ferraina (20:14.26), andthird place for the Top Female Finisher went to Vivian Yim (24:48.94).

HDRF Executive Director Louisa Benton then took the stage to thank all the Student Ambassadors and present two special awards to the Co-Lead Student Ambassadors, Hayden Lucas and Noelle Saldana.

All Race participants received a commemorative t-shirt, race hat, race bib and huge ­finisher medal. The first, second, and third place winners received medals based on the winnings.

The Teen Race of Hope was supported by a team of  Student Ambassadors including Mia Abramson, Marni Arons, Anysa Bickici, Alva Carlston, Ethan Criollo, Hannah Diker, Sophie Higgins, Abigail Kidd, Tanner Klipstein, Hayden Lucas, Ruby McKillips, Summer Nelson, Sophia Rossi, Noelle Saldana, Bryan Samaniego, Gui Sequiera, Ai Vy Shulman, Jennifer Tatu, and Sienna Vadi.

HDRF has been a leader in research since 2006, convening top brain researchers from different universities to pool data and expertise to find new and better treatments for anxiety and depression.     HDRF also works to raise awareness of depression as a medical illness and to educate the public about the facts of depression and remove the stigma that still surrounds it.

5K Race of Hope Sponsors

NYC Teenspace/Talkspace, Balmain Paris, PWR Lift, Scotts Protein Balls, Montauk Iced Tea, Hudson River Park.

About Hope for Depression Research Foundation:

HDRF was founded in 2006 by philanthropist Audrey Gruss in memory of her mother Hope, who struggled with clinical depression. The mission of the HDRF is to spur the most innovative brain 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. The World Health Organization has declared depression as the leading cause of disability worldwide, and yet conventional medications today are outdated and do not fully work for 50% of patients.  HDRF is working tirelessly to improve the mental health landscape for every American.  The Foundation has provided more than $75 million through over 200 grants for breakthrough depression research that promises to transform the way depression is viewed, diagnosed, treated and prevented. Currently, HDRF has a potential new class of medication in pilot clinical trials at Mount Sinai Medical Center, and Stanford University. HDRF is also funding clinical trials into other novel therapeutics and diagnostic tests at Johns Hopkins, University of San Diego, and the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  

The post Audrey Gruss’ Hope for Depression Research Foundation’s Second Annual Teen Race of Hope appeared first on NY UNDRESSED.

The Co-Grand Marshals for the Race were Grier Henchy, the 16-year-old daughter of Brooke Shields, and Hayden Lucas, who was one of the creators of the event.  Grier is following in her mother’s advocacy footsteps, as Brooke Shields herself was honored by HDRF with the Hope Award for Depression Advocacy in 2009.

Soul Cycle’s Stacey Griffith, mental health advocate and social media influencer, spun her signature playlist as DJ for the race.  The music reinforced the energy of the crowd as they waited for the Race to begin against the backdrop of New York Harbor, downtown Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. 

Grier Henchy said: “Today is all about the message of hope and how we can make it safe to talk about mental health.  It’s really important for every teen to know it is okay to not be okay – and to reach out for help.”

Hayden Lucas, who also served as the Chief Student Ambassador for the Race, is a junior at Dwight High School.  He came to HDRF with the idea of a Teen Race after he had run in a recent Race of Hope in Southampton, NY. 

Lucas said: “HDRF has supported the idea of the Teen Race from the beginning. Thanks to them we are able to run here today to spread awareness and work towards ending the stigma about mental health.”

The state of teen mental health across the nation is urgent.  Last year the surgeon general declared a national emergency in teen mental health.  More than one in three high school students reports feeling persistent hopelessness, a 40% increase since 2009.  Suicide has become the second leading cause of death for teens ages 15 to 19.  

“These staggering statistics underscore the vital importance of uniting New York’s school communities to better understand the signs of depression and how to talk to teens about it,” said HDRF Executive Director Louisa Benton in opening remarks before the Race.  

HDRF Founding Chair Audrey Gruss also took the podium before the Race to acknowledge the teens for their energy and activism on the anti-stigma front.

Gruss said: “The Teen Race of Hope is primed to even be bigger than our Race of Hope and this is because young people know how to make change. All of you, the young people in our community, are going to be the ones who can make a real difference. That is why this race is so important and that is why it’s going to be the most talked about event in New York.”

The Teen Race of Hope is a 5K (3.1 mile) U.S. Track and Field-certified race.  At the starting gun, participants set off to complete the 3.1-mile course starting at Pier 40 Hudson River Park and continuing along the esplanade with beautiful views of the Hudson River.  Everyone sported HDRF’s signature sunshine yellow color with matching caps and t-shirts.

The event, which raised $35,000, marked HDRF’s first Race of Hope in New York City and the first one to be youth focused. HDRF also has held an annual Race of Hope in Palm Beach, FL and Southampton, NY.

At the close of the Race, Audrey Gruss presented awards to the top finishers and to the top fundraisers.  First prize for Best Male Time went to James Knox, and first prize for the Best Female Time went to his mother, Sarah Knox.  The award for Top Fundraising Team went to the Dwight School team.  The award for Best Costume went to the Sunshine Girls, who wore matching yellow outfits with flower sunglasses.

Second place for Best Male Time went to Cesar Hernandez and second place for the Best Female Time went to Luisa Cavalli, third place for Best Male Time went to Isaac Jeffrey, and third place for the Best Female Time went to Dawn Brewer.

All Race participants received a signature yellow shirt, cap and finisher medal. The first, second, and third place winners received medals based on the winnings. The costume contest that was held during the race encouraged all participants and supporters to show up in their best yellow ensemble, with the winner Sunshine Girls taking home a $100 bank card. 

The Teen Race of Hope was supported by local student teen ambassadors including Hayden Lucas, Chief Student Ambassador, Mia Abramson, Marni Arons, Alva Carlston, Hannah Diker, Sophie Higgins, Abigail Kidd, Tanner Klipstein, Ruby McKillips, Jeremy Negrin, Summer Nelson, Sophia Rossi, Noelle Saldana, Gui Sequiera , Ai Vy Shulman, Andrew Wetenhall, Amelia Wetenhall.

HDRF has been a leader in research since 2006, convening top brain researchers from different universities to pool data and expertise to find new and better treatments for anxiety and depression.  HDRF also works to raise awareness of depression as a medical illness and to educate the public about the facts of depression and remove the stigma that still surrounds it.

ABOUT HOPE FOR DEPRESSION RESEARCH FOUNDATION (HDRF)

HDRF was founded in 2006 by philanthropist Audrey Gruss in memory of her mother Hope, who struggled with clinical depression. Today, HDRF is the leading nonprofit organization focused solely on advanced depression research into new and better treatments for the illness. The World Health Organization has declared depression as the leading cause of disability worldwide, and yet conventional medications today are outdated and do not fully work for 50% of patients. The mission of the HDRF is to spur 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 $50 million through over 200 grants for breakthrough depression research that promises to transform the way depression is viewed, diagnosed, treated and prevented. Currently, HDRF has a potential new class of medication in pilot clinical trials at Mount Sinai Medical Center, Columbia University, and Stanford University. HDRF is also funding clinical trials into other novel therapeutics and diagnostic tests at Johns Hopkins, University of San Diego, and the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The post Hope for Depression Research Foundation Draws Over 275 Teens To Inaugural Teen Race of Hope appeared first on NY UNDRESSED.

Developed by teens for teens, the Teen Race of Hope will mark HDRF’s first Race of Hope in New York City, uniting teenagers and their families, friends and teachers from across the five boroughs to fight the stigma around mental health and fundraise for advanced depression research. 

For the past seven years HDRF has also hosted a major Race of Hope in Palm Beach and in Southampton, NY, but the Teen Race of Hope is the first to be youth-focused. 

The Teen Race is the brainchild of Hayden Lucas, who serves as the Chief Student Ambassador for the Race.  Lucas is a junior at Dwight High School and the leader of the newly formed HDRF Teen Task Force, a platform created to empower teens to openly discuss mental health and reinforce their sense of community.

“I am excited to lead my peers, teachers, and friends in this race to help our community better understand the importance of mental health awareness,” said Hayden. “As teens, its paramount that we educate ourselves about the signs of depression, coming together in our schools to support the mental wellbeing of others.”

Grier Hammond Henchy follows in her mother Brooke Shields’ footsteps, serving as this year’s teen celebrity Grand Marshal to help bring awareness to depression. Brooke was honored by HDRF with the Hope Award for Depression Advocacy in 2009.

Grier and Hayden will be joined by fellow student ambassadors, as they lead participants on a beautiful 5K (3.1) mile route through the Hudson River esplanade and public piers.  While some will choose to run this event competitively, others will opt to stroll casually with their friends and dogs. But they are all united in a common purpose – to support research into new treatments for depression and to fight the stigma still associated with seeking help.

The state of teen mental health across the nation is urgent.  More than one in three high school students reports feeling persistent hopelessness, a 40% increase since 2009.  Suicide has become the second leading cause of death for teens ages 15 to 19.  

“These staggering statistics underscore the vital importance of uniting New York’s school communities to better understand the signs of depression and how to talk to teens about it,” said HDRF Executive Director Louisa Benton.  

Benton continued:  “It is so inspiring to see these teens coming together to reinforce their sense of school community, because community is a powerful protective factor in future mental health.”

The Teen Race of Hope is supported by local student teen ambassadors  including Mia Abramson, Marni Arons, Sophie Higgins, Abigail Kidd, Ruby McKillips, Jeremy Negrin, Summer Nelson, Sophia Rossi, Gui Sequiera, Ai Vy Shulman and Noelle Saldana.

HDRF has been a leader in research since 2006, convening top brain researchers from different universities to pool data and expertise to find and fast-track novel treatments to clinical trials.   Currently, a clinical trial for a new category of medication is underway at Mount Sinai,  Columbia, and Stanford University.

5K Race of Hope Sponsors

Scott’s Protein Balls

Participants include professional and first-time runners, teens, school teams families, and children.  Strollers and dogs are welcome.  To participate, please visit https://www.nycteen.raceofhopeseries.com/

First 100 registrants receive a commemorative t-shirt, race hat, race bib and huge ­finisher medal; and medals are awarded for best time in different age categories as well as for the top individual fundraiser and top fundraising team.

Registration Information:

·      Date: Sunday, May 21, 2023

·      Meeting Point: Pier 40, Picnic House, Hudson River Park at 353 West St. Manhattan, NY 10014

• Time: Race starts at 10:00m AM ET
• Cost: Student – $15
• Strollers and Dogs welcome

ABOUT HOPE FOR DEPRESSION RESEARCH FOUNDATION (HDRF)

HDRF was founded in 2006 by philanthropist Audrey Gruss in memory of her mother Hope, who struggled with clinical depression. Today, HDRF is the leading nonprofit organization focused solely on advanced depression research into new and better treatments for the illness. The World Health Organization has declared depression as the leading cause of disability worldwide, and yet conventional medications today are outdated and do not fully work for 50% of patients. The mission of the HDRF is to spur 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 $50 million through over 200 grants for breakthrough depression research that promises to transform the way depression is viewed, diagnosed, treated and prevented. Currently, HDRF has a potential new class of medication in pilot clinical trials at Mount Sinai Medical Center, Columbia University, and Stanford University. HDRF is also funding clinical trials into other novel therapeutics and diagnostic tests at Johns Hopkins, University of San Diego, and the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The post Hope for Depression Research Foundation’s Inaugural NYC Teen Race of Hope with Grand Marshal Grier Hammond Henchy appeared first on NY UNDRESSED.