On Friday, July 15th, Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF) hosted a panel discussion on mental health at the Southampton Arts Center in Southampton Village, New York.
The hour-long discussion focused on The Four Pillars of Mental Health: Sleep, Diet, Exercise and Meditation. Over 80 people attended the event, which HDRF conceived in partnership with Southampton Arts Center (SAC) Board member Simone Levinson.
Panelists were Bob Roth, CEO of the David Lynch Foundation, Eddie Stern, yoga instructor and author, Jamie Pabst, founder and CEO of Spiritune and Ivey Leidy, nutrition expert and coach. The moderator was HDRF Executive Director Louisa Benton.
The event was a kick-off for the seventh annual Race of Hope to Defeat Depression, a 5K run/walk in August that raises funds for depression research. In her welcome remarks, HDRF Founding Chair Audrey Gruss said: “This discussion on evidence-based methods to reduce stress and increase resilience to anxiety is more important than ever. Mental illness and mental wellness are the reverse side of the same coin.”
A luncheon followed the panel discussion, and was exclusively for the committee members of the Race of Hope. Over 60 committee members attended including James R. Borynack and Adolfo Zaralegui, Janna Bullock, Arthur Dunnam and Roy Cohen, Mark Gilbertson, Alan Glatt, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Martin Gruss, Mai Hallingby Harrison, Kim Heirston, Natasha Jeffries, Sharon Loeb, Anne Nordeman, Kathy Prounis, Nancy Silverman, and Lis Waterman.
Luncheon Guests were seated at tables adorned with bright yellow sunflowers in the SAC Sculpture Garden, where they enjoyed a delicious buffet of grilled chicken kebabs, poached salmon, grilled vegetables, gourmet cheeses, farro salad, garden salad, red potato and string beans and fresh fruit kebabs. Juice Press donated fresh, healthy beverages.
Throughout the luncheon, models strolled among the tables wearing items from the Fall 2022 collection from Akris, a sponsor of the Race of Hope. After the luncheon, guest walked to the Akris boutique nearby on Jobs Lane for champagne, dessert bites, and gift bags.
