By Tammy Reese
Star-Studded List of Attendees Include Three-Time Grammy Winner Chance The Rapper, Global Superstar Demi Lovato, Founder and CEO of OBB Media, Michael D. Ratner, Daly, TODAY Co-Anchor Savannah Guthrie, Sanaa Lathan, and Fashion Designer Stacey Bendet
Inspirational Evening Followed the Nonprofit’s Daytime Festival Featuring Meaningful Conversations With Lovato, Ratner, Daly, Governor Kathy Hochul, Comedian Gary Gulman, Entrepreneurs Andy Dunn, Julie Rice, David Lynch Foundation CEO Bob Roth And More
On Thursday, October 10, Project Healthy Minds, a Millennial and Gen Z-driven mental health tech non-profit, held its second annual World Mental Health Day Gala at New York’s Spring Studios. Hosted by TODAY co-anchor Carson Daly, the event supported the organization’s mission to connect over 10 million Americans over the next 10 years with mental health services through its groundbreaking free digital marketplace.
During the elegant evening, three-time Grammy winner Chance the Rapper, who performed his hit songs “Child of God” and “Blessings,” was presented with the first-ever Project Healthy Minds Trailblazer of the Year Award for his dedication to mental health awareness and youth empowerment through his non-profit SocialWorks.
Following opening remarks from TODAY co-anchor Savannah Guthrie and Daly, award-winning musician, actor and advocate Demi Lovato presented Founder and CEO of OBB Media, Michael D. Ratner, with the Storyteller of the Year Award. Additionally, founders of The Yabuki Family Foundation, Jeff Yabuki, Chairman of Motive Partners, and his wife Gail Yabuki, were presented the Humanitarians of the Year Award; and KPMG was recognized with the Corporate Visionary of the Year Award with KPMG U.S. Chair and CEO, Paul Knopp, accepting on their behalf. Other supporters in attendance included: Actress and Gala Dinner Chair, Sanaa Lathan, influencers Remi Bader and Tinx, Indianapolis Colts vice chair/owner Kalen Irsay Jackson, actress Stéphanie Szostak, model Camille Fishel, New York Times best-selling author and Peloton instructor Tunde Oyeynin, Ally Shapiro, entrepreneur and daughter of former Housewives cast member Jill Zarin; Fanatics owner and CEO Michael Rubin, Board members Lisa Licht and Wayfarer Studios President Tera Hanks, dinner chairs Dr. Jennifer Ashton (who attended with her husband, former TV exec and Boston Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner), philanthropist Sheri Disney, artist Peter Tunney and the gala’s artistic curator, alice + olivia CEO and Creative Director, Stacey Bendet.
Remarks from some of the evening’s participants are below:
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE
Kicking off the Gala, TODAY co-anchor Savannah Guthrie said, “I’m so proud to be here supporting the important, deeply relevant and ever more urgent mission of Project Healthy Minds,” continuing, “We can never underestimate the importance of this — just talking about mental health at all, taking on the silence and stigma that have so long surrounded this subject. And we are committed to changing how we talk about mental health: without judgment or misunderstanding, with warmth and acceptance and recognition and humanity and — let me be a little mushy — with love.”
CARSON DALY
Daly, who serves on Project Healthy Minds’ Board of Directors, reflected on his personal mental health journey, sharing, “I found a therapist who was into cognitive behavioral therapy before it was cool. And then came one of the best days of my life: the day I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. It was amazing. I’m serious. Before that, I didn’t know what was wrong with me. Now, I did. He gave me a real diagnosis, with real science and real treatment behind it. It was the first time I knew I was going to be okay. I put in the work and learned how to understand and manage my anxiety. I’ve got tools now — therapy and medication, breathing and meditation, my family and my faith. Most importantly, I’ve come to accept myself as-is. God hardwired me to be extra sensitive. Nervousness, for no real reason, sneaks up on me like a tsunami. At the same time, though, I viscerally feel music, sunsets, hugs from my kids. I feel these things as powerfully as I do panic attacks. Life is turned to 11. I haven’t just come to accept that tradeoff — I can’t imagine life without it. I’ve come to embrace it as something that makes me stronger. It’s my superpower.”
CHANCE THE RAPPER
While accepting the first-ever Trailblazer of the Year Award, Chance the Rapper expressed his gratitude for the organization’s commitment to mental health and opened up about what inspired his own work in the space, stating, “It’s an honor to be recognized by an organization like Project Healthy Minds, who’s been working relentlessly to make sure that mental health resources are accessible and that the conversation around mental health stays loud, stays open, and, most importantly, stays human.” On his nonprofit work, he continued, “I’ve been lucky enough in my life to create a program for my nonprofit, SocialWorks, that also helps those in need of mental health resources. When we started SocialWorks in 2016, our goal was to empower and uplift in Chicago, whether it was through education, the arts or homelessness support, we always knew that mental health would be a key part. So many young people in our communities face challenges that we don’t always see on the surface, and for them, mental health resources are not a luxury,” adding, “Just like Project Healthy Minds, we believe in using technology to meet people where they are.”
DEMI LOVATO
Presenting Ratner with the Storyteller of the Year Award, Lovato shared, “Having had the very personal opportunity to work with Michael and OBB on ‘Dancing with the Devil,’ I experienced firsthand the importance of his vision and guidance when telling our difficult stories about mental health. We recently worked together again on ‘Child Star,’ and he was a guiding presence in finding the greater story I wanted to tell, not only about myself but about others in the industry who had similar experiences growing up as child stars. And this time, as a co-director on the project, I could see Michael’s art of storytelling from a different lens and new perspective and I was able to have a deeper appreciation for what it’s like to bring a project to life. Michael never loses sight of what matters and the power of his platform. He continues to touch so many lives, to be a source of strength and an advocate for uncovering hard truths, and championing others to share their stories in the hopes of destigmatizing how we talk about mental health.”
MICHAEL D. RATNER
While accepting his award, Ratner stressed, “Storytelling is a powerful lever for change. Research shows that sharing diverse mental health experiences can dismantle barriers to seeking help. I have seen firsthand how artists sharing their mental health journeys on-screen — especially when they’re younger and still experiencing these challenges — deeply connects with others. Young people are drawn to stories that reflect their experiences, including the struggles in your head and we need that now more than ever in the time of social media. We’ve had our audiences reach out saying they feel seen, that our stories have made them feel less alone, and that they inspired them to seek help. When artists like Demi use their platforms, they can help promote healthier conversations and shift the narrative around mental health.”
PHILLIP SCHERMER, PROJECT HEALTHY MINDS FOUNDER AND CEO
During the evening, Project Healthy Minds Founder and CEO Phillip Schermer thanked Gala attendees for their tremendous support while highlighting the nonprofit’s mission to continue inspiring progress, asserting, “In this era of pervasive anxiety, we need something that can help. Our Project Healthy Minds free marketplace is just that tool. It helps people find mental health services that are right for them. Whether you are looking for a psychiatrist or a therapist or a support group — whether you want virtual or in-person support — you can find a service, vetted by clinicians, that’s right for you. As I always say, it’s like OpenTable or Expedia, but for mental health services.” He continued, “Let’s all be agents for change. The time is now. Because he who saves one life, saves the world. And we don’t have one moment to lose.”
PROJECT HEALTHY MINDS’ WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Earlier in the day, the nonprofit kicked off its third annual World Mental Health Day Festival across New York City’s Hudson Yards with a welcome breakfast where NY State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal thanked the New York based organization’s leadership for its commitment to raising awareness. He said that in Albany “the heightened awareness around the issues of mental health could not be greater,” adding, “The governor, last year, dedicated with the legislatures support $1 billion to build new hospital beds for mental health patients, Those, as you may know, were wiped out during the 80s and 90s, leaving many of our neighbors struggling, whether in the classroom, in their homes, on the streets, in the subways, which as a New Yorker, I experience on a daily basis, including my ride here. And when you have mental health colliding with addiction and homelessness and just downright despair and poverty, it is a toxic combination. So, I cannot thank you enough for raising the awareness and extending support to so many individuals, parents, speaking as one of a 13 year old, and families who need this help and guidance. And the de-stigmatization of mental health, I think, is one of our greatest barriers. So…by virtue of…your appearances today, whether it’s on the street or on television, and the widespread support network that you built with these incredible sponsors, you will do tremendous good for my constituents, all New Yorkers and the entire country as we struggle with this incredibly vexing problem. So thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.”
The breakfast was followed by a day of thought-provoking panels with leaders from entertainment, music, politics, academia and more including Lovato, Ratner, Daly, Gary Gulman, Andy Dunn, Julie Rice, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul about the importance of destigmatizing mental health, the defining public health issue of our time.
The Fest’s Mainstage Talk Series included: “Lights, Camera, Advocacy: Demi Lovato & Michael D. Ratner in Conversation with Carson Daly on Mental Health in Media”; “Mental Health: America’s Fraying Social Fabric” fireside chat with New York Governor Kathy Hochul and ABC News Live “Prime” Anchor, Linsey Davis; “Punchlines for Progress: Comedy’s Power to Shift How Americans Feel & Talk about Mental Health” with renowned stand-up comedian and author Gary Gulman; “The Price of Passion: Mental Health in the Founder’s Journey” with Andy Dunn, Founding CEO of Bonobos and Pie, and Julie Rice, Co-Founder of SoulCycle and Peoplehood; and “Mind Over Muse: Meditation’s Path to Creative Genius” with Bob Roth, CEO of the David Lynch Foundation.
In tandem, an impactful Intimate Conversation Series took place featuring a keynote discussion titled “We Will Dance Again: The Rise of Antisemitism, Its Trauma, & Our Journey Forward” moderated by Susan Zirinsky, former president of CBS News and now President, See It Now Studios, with panelists Daniel Vaknin, DJ, Music Event Producer, Nova Festival Survivor; and Leat Corrine Unger, whose cousin is one of the remaining Israeli hostages still in Gaza; Leo Pearlman, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Fulwell 73. Additional talks in the Intimate Conversation Series included: “The Harvard Series: Suicide Prevention In An Increasingly Digital World,” “The Harvard Series: Viral For Good: How Public Health-Influencer Partnerships Can Improve Mental Health Information On Social Media,” “Creative Minds: The Intersection Of The Arts And Mental Health,” and a “Mindful Consumption Lunch & Conversation” experience in partnership with the James Beard Foundation.
Throughout the day, the Festival hosted movement and mindfulness activities around Hudson Yards including a Guided Meditation at Equinox with actress Sanaa Lathan, SoulCycle Benefit rides with influencers Carly Weinstein and Ana Wolfermann, community run/walk with influencers Timm and Kelly Chuisano, Tyler Swartz, Cormac Murphy and Raymond Braun. Festival goers were also invited to participate in yoga classes and a padel tournament.
ABOUT PROJECT HEALTHY MINDS:
Project Healthy Minds is a Millennial and Gen Z-driven mental health tech non-profit startup that is democratizing access to mental health services by building the world’s first digital mental health marketplace, destigmatizing mental health by partnering with culture-makers, and improving access and affordability by advocating for innovative workplace investments in employee mental health. The non-profit is focused on closing the treatment gap in America by attacking these primary barriers to care: stigma, discoverability, and affordability. Project Healthy Minds’ programmatic initiatives have served more than 400,000 Americans.
All Credits: Courtesy of Project Healthy Minds
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TAMMY REESE
Tammy Reese began her career as a theater actress performing in 60 live stage shows a year with The Media Unit TV and Stage Production Company. She also directed the weekly live TV show Rough Times Live.
Eventually, she went to Empire State College to obtain her degree in media studies. After graduation, she did more theater and wrote and produced her own videos to spread awareness on social issues through the arts.
Tammy is an award-winning journalist and is best known for her legendary interviews with Angela Bassett, Sigourney Weaver, Jennifer Connelly, Laurence Fishburne, Phylicia Rashad, Sharon Stone, Jasmine Guy, Geena Davis, Billy Porter, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Steven Yeun, Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Lauren Cohan, Giancarlo Esposito, Skeet Ulrich, Sam Reid, Jacob Anderson, Eric Bogosian, Delainey Hayles, Terry O’Quinn, Essie Davis, Luke Evans, Morris Chestnut, Vivica A. Fox, Omar Epps, Joseph Sikora, Carmen Electra, Tom Arnold, Theo Rossi, Ross Marquand, Michael James Shaw, Laila Robins, Mick Garris, Naomi Grossman, Tony Todd, John Kassir and many more.
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