2007 Gala Review

There may be no better way to characterize our inaugural Gala, "Tackling Mental Illness: Kicking the Stigma" on May 10, 2007 at FedEx Field where more than 600 people attended than by saying, we scored a “Touchdown”!

Without question, it was a “Touchdown” financially – we raised $419,150!* 

But, perhaps, most importantly the message – raising awareness of mental illness and the stigma overwhelmingly associated with it – was the biggest “Touchdown” of all!

Everyone on the podium that evening had a “story” to tell how mental illness has touched them in some way – a family member, a relative, or personally – whether it was depression, mood disorder, or suicide – the message was profoundly clear – mental illness is, inarguably, an issue that impacts all of us! 

We need to admit it – we need to acknowledge it – we need to be public about it IF we want to truly change how society treats this disease.  NO ONE should feel shame if they have depression (or any psychiatric disorder) – what makes this illness any different than cancer or diabetes. 

People we know with cancer or diabetes, we tend to applaud their courage in the way they manage their disease and we lift their spirits with our support and compassion.  But, when we think of a person with mental illness, do we extend the same hand and feel compassion and empathy, or is it shame, maybe even fear. 

Do we not fear most what we know least about? 

Isn’t this how society reacted to AIDS 25 years ago?

What happened within four days following the Gala further convinces me that mental illness must be as “top of mind” as any other disease we are so public and vocal about – such as cancer, heart disease, and AIDS.

Two people – fellow guests – who attended the Gala experienced mental illness in “real life” and “real time”.  On Sunday, May 13th – Mother’s Day – one received a call that a best friend’s mother committed suicide, the other received a call, too, that a friend’s wife attempted suicide.

All this did was affirm the message we hope we conveyed in the statistics and stories you heard that evening - mental illness is pervasive and impacts us personally and our community in profound ways.   It is, perhaps, the one disease with the most intergenerational consequences.

My personal “hope” for this Gala was that 600 people would walk away, not only with new knowledge and changed perceptions, but, motivated to lend their voice and continue their support for this issue (and Potomac Ridge).  If this was accomplished, then we – our community – are well on our way to, indeed, “kicking the stigma”!  
Furthermore, I hope, too, that we instilled a “call to action” message. 

It’s not a question of “should we act”, but, that “we must act”.  Robert Kennedy challenged us when he said, "Every generation inherits a world it never made, and as it does so, it automatically becomes the trustee for those who follow."

All of us there on May 10th did not make this "world" of mental illness, but, it is ours to inherit, if we choose.  We must all vow to become its “trustee”, and bring to it our collective resolve, determination, and resources to take giant steps together to erase the stigma and advance the best-practice treatment and research options available.

An extraordinary thank you to everyone for their collective donations of “time, talent, and treasure”!

With heartfelt gratitude,

Alan Ezagui, Director
Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health Foundation