Twelfth Annual HOPE Luncheon Seminar,
November 12, 2018

Annual HOPE Luncheon Seminar focused on Brain Health and Wellness

We had a fabulous HOPE Luncheon Seminar last week! We were 300-strong, filling the Plaza ballroom on Tuesday, November 6 with good cheer despite the rain.

We’ve had many requests for the slides that were presented during the luncheon. We are happy to provide a re-cap here.

Click here to read the full article…

Breakthrough Research from HDRF,
September 5, 2018

What is Acetyl-L-Carnitine? Depression linked to low levels of brain molecule

A major study funded by Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF) at Rockefeller University has revealed that a compound known as Acetyl-L-Carnitine (LAC) may be a biomarker for depression — a discovery that could lead to a potential blood test for depression.

The study, published July 30 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), also points to a breakthrough new class of anti-depressant that is faster-acting and free of side effects than the current treatments that have been in use for the past 30 years.

Click here to read the full article…

Walk of HOPE Raises A Quarter Million for Research!,
September 5, 2018

The Walk of Hope + 5K Run to Defeat Depression raised $250,000 for urgent research.

Thank you to the hundreds of participants who came out for our third annual Walk of Hope + 5K Run to Defeat Depression on Sunday in Southampton.

This year’s event was a huge success! More than 500 men, women and children – plus a few canine friends – came out to raise awareness and $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.”

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Pride Month and Mental Health Awareness,
June 29, 2018

June 28, 2018 marked the 49^th anniversary of the Stonewall Riot, the event that sparked the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States, and later inspired Pride events every June. In honor of this important milestone, we wanted to shed light on mental health issues still affecting the LGBTQ community.

Unfortunately, a stigma still exists surrounding LGBTQ communities, which leads to increased rates of bullying, harassment, and even homelessness among a disproportionately large percentage of this population, particularly LGBTQ youth. Such stressors put these individuals at a much greater risk of developing mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

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Food and Your Mood,
June 18, 2018

As summer sets in, let’s not forget the importance of self-care for our mood. Self-care includes things like sleep, exercise and diet, and it is crucial for our overall mind-brain health.

We’ve talked about sleep and exercise in the past, but not yet about diet.  What we eat matters for every aspect of our health, including our mental health.

Diet and Emotional Well-being

A growing body of research shows that a healthy, natural food diet can help prevent depression.  And an unhealthy diet – high in processed and refined foods – increases the risk for the illness in everyone, including children and teens.

Click here to read the full article…