Resort Report: Annual 5K Race of Hope to Defeat Depression spotlights youth mental health
SOUTHAMPTON, New York — The road around Lake Agawam turned into the world's busiest, yellow-est footpath as the Hope For Depression Research Foundation hosted its trademark Hamptons fundraiser.
The eighth annual 5K Race of Hope to Defeat Depression, the culmination of a weekend of fundraising and educational events, took place Aug. 6 in Southampton Village.
More Palm Beach and resort society news here.
Audrey Gruss, founder of the HDRF and of the Race of Hope, and board member Arthur Dunnam were grand marshals for the race, which spotlighted mental heath in young people.
In keeping with the focus on youth, the 2023 Race introduced the first-ever teen grand marshals: Grier Henchy, the 17-year-old daughter of Brooke Shields; and Hayden Lucas, a high school senior and leader of the newly formed HDRF Teen Task Force.
Henchy's mother, who was among the earliest celebrities to speak openly about depression, accompanied her daughter to the race. Henchy is now following in Shields’ footsteps as a passionate mental health advocate.
“It can sometimes feel overwhelming to be a teen,” Henchy said to the crowd of racers just before the start gun. “We are dealing with school stress and college applications and anxiety about the future. And, of course, the ever-present social media, which can be hard to turn off. It’s really important for every teen to know it is OK to not be OK — and to reach out for help.”
More than 500 people turned out for the race, either as participants or spectators. Jordan Daniel was the first across the finish line in the race, which is a USA Track and Field-sanctioned event.
Committee members included Thomas C. Quick and Michael Donnell, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Judy and Leonard Lauder, John Paulson, Nancy K. Silverman, Lynne McGowan Wheat, Wendy and Howard Cox, Ide and David Dangoor, Annie and Michael Falk, David and Jennifer Fischer, Candy Hamm, Joseph Hernandez, Tania and Brian Higgins, Sharon and John Loeb, Jr., Robert F. Mancuso, Mary P. Moran, Jane and Richard Novick, Stacey Pashcow, Kathy Prounis, Carolyn and Curtis Schenker, Barbara and Randall Smith, and Sarah Wetenhall.
The event raised more than $275,000 for mission its to better understand the root causes of depression in the brain and to accelerate the next generation of treatments.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: 5K Race of Hope to Defeat Depression spotlights youth mental health
