On Monday, April 30, 2007, The Fountain House Symposium and Luncheon took place in the Grand Ballroom of The Pierre. The symposium entitled Shades of Blue: Depressive Disorders in Adolescents and Young Adults featured a panel discussion by three leading experts in the field of mental health research, treatment, advocacy, and public policy: Peter S. Jensen, M.D., a Ruane Professor of Child Psychiatry and Director of the Center for the Advancement of Children’s Mental Health at Columbia University; Elizabeth A. Kastelic, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital; and Pete Earley, a former reporter for The Washington Post and the author of Crazy: A Father’s Search Through America’s Mental Health Madness.
The Event’s Co-Chairs were Lorna Hyde Graev, Alexandra Herzan, Anne Mai, and Lynn Nicholas served as the symposium Program Chair. Consuelo Mack served as emcee. Mary and Mike Wallace received The 2007 Fountain House Humanitarian Award. Adam Lewis and Peter B. Lewis, Benefactors, Fountain House Wellness Center, were honored as well. A record $1,000,000 was raised to benefit Fountain House.
Mental illnesses usually strike individuals in the prime of their lives, often during adolescence and young adulthood. All ages are susceptible, but the young are especially vulnerable. Seven to twelve million youth suffer from a mental illness. Over 90% of teens who die by suicide suffer from mental illness. 2/3 of young people do not receive treatment. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15-19 year-olds, following accidents and homicide.
Vice Chairs and committee members included Ann Barish, Sharon Handler and Ambassador John L. Loeb, Jr., Mariana and George Kaufman, Karin Luter, Annalu Ponti and Geoffrey Hoguet, Kari and Carl Tiedemann, Denise Wohl, Frances BeattyAdler and Allen Adler,Courtney Allinson Arnot, Barbara Bancroft, Brook and Roger Berlind, Katherine Bryan, Dana Buchman, Marjorie Reed Gordon, Charlotte Moss and Barry Friedberg, Fernanda Niven, Elizabeth Peabody, Pauline Pitt, Hilary GearyRoss, Diana Taylor, Topsy Taylor, Jonathan Tisch and Laurie Tisch.
Among the guests, The Sopranos’ Joe Pantoliano and Glenn Close, a supporter and volunteer; Deeda Blair, Larry Graev, Jessie and Julia Araskog, Sydney Shuman, Barbara Tober, Patricia Patterson, Adrienne Vittadini, Barbara de Portago, Patricia Duff, Darcy Gould, Audrey Gruss, Debbie Bancroft, Michèle Gerber Klein, Alison Chace, Stephanie de Wangen, Catherine Cahill and William Bernhard, Lois Chiles, Virginia Coleman, Adria de Haume, Bambi de la Gueronniere, Caroline Dean, Sean Driscoll, Ingrid Edelman, Mariana Galesi, Paul Herzan, Margo Langenberg, Chris Meigher, Armene Millikin, Nancy Newhouse, Susan Patricof, Ann Rapp, Alexia Hamm Ryan, Emilia Saint-Armand and Nathan Saint-Armand, Virginia Coleman, Sean Driscoll, Maryan Grossman, Barbara Brody, Joe Spalding, Anne Whitehead, Ellie Johnson,Gale Gilbert, Judy Cormier, Stephanie Stokes, and Kristi Witker.
The tables were beautiful with bowls of pastel orchids, roses and hydrangea, and the room had its usual rosy glow but the topic was very acute. “Mental illness needs to be talked about with candor, warmth and compassion,” said Anne Mai, Chairman Emertus.
Mike Wallace, co-editor of CBS television's "60 Minutes" since its premiere in 1968, has spoken with candor and insight about his own experience with depression and suicide attempt. Mr. Wallace is quick to give credit to his wife, Mary, for her dedication and support throughout the ordeal. "Depression takes over your life," he has said. "It's painful. You don't eat. You don't sleep. Your self-esteem drops to zero, and you're trying to hide it, which makes it more difficult. My wife's tireless support and encouragement got me to see a doctor and start treatment. I couldn't have come this far without her."
The Lewis family has also been challenged by mental illness. As a young adult, Adam, now in his mid-40s, was diagnosed with schizophrenia and then bipolar disorder. Turning their personal struggle into support for others, the Lewises made a multi-year, $3 million grant to Fountain House to create state-of-the-art wellness centers at its 47th Street headquarters and at its farm property in Montague, New Jersey.
