A Century Commemorated at MHA Centennial Gala Celebration

It was a night many in attendance describe as the “exclamation mark” or “the pinnacle” in Mental Health America’s 100-year history.  It was an elegant affair filled with laughter, tears, cherished memories, inspirational tributes and thundering applause for a century of accomplishments that recognized Mental Health America--the organization which began the mental health movement in the United States. 

On a beautiful June evening in Washington, D.C., Mental Health America, in conjunction with our Centennial Conference, celebrated in style with a fundraising Gala to honor the organization’s Founder Clifford Beers and bring together past Board Chairs, Committee members, supporters, mental health advocates and mental health consumers, all of whom dedicated their time, talents, leadership and passion to bettering the lives of individuals with mental health conditions. 

Joining in the celebration were Mrs. Tipper Gore, Honorary Chair of the Centennial Conference and Gala Celebration, and Mrs. Rosalynn Carter. Both have been staunch supporters of Mental Health America for many decades. During the Centennial Gala Senators Edward M. Kennedy and Pete Domenici were honored for their legendary work on behalf of individuals with mental health conditions.  Kennedy, who could not be in attendance, and Domenici were presented the Paul Wellstone Legacy Awards for their lifelong work and commitment to mental health and their leadership in winning passage of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. The act was signed into law last year. The award is named after the late Senator Paul Wellstone, who championed this issue of mental health parity during his time in the Senate.

Emmy Award-winning actress Glenn Close also attended as an honorary guest.  Close, known primarily for her talents as an actress, is a strong mental health advocate.  She has recently begun speaking about two members of her own family, both of whom have mental health conditions.  At the Centennial Gala, Close announced her plans for a PSA campaign that will launch in 2009 and that is designed to reduce stigma and offer hope and support to mental health consumers and their families.

Grammy-nominated artist Vanessa Carlton and singer-songwriter Dwight Yoakam entertained the Gala gatherers. Carlton sang several of her hit songs “A Thousand Miles” and “Home.” 

One of the most touching moments of the Gala Celebration came when Yoakam, who before his performance, read a poem from a soldier, Sgt. John Daniel Eubanks, whom he had just met while at the Gala dinner.  Sgt. Eubanks had written a touching poem about his struggles both physically and mentally upon returning to the United States following several tours of duty in Iraq. 

The ultimate crowd pleaser and show stopper, however, was the Clifford Beers Award winner Sharon Jenkins Tucker. Tucker spoke eloquently and with humor and passion of her life-long struggle with depression and how as a peer-specialist she has fulfilled a mission to help others.  Tucker also spoke of her respect for Clifford Beers and it was through her own struggles that she aspired to become more of an advocate out of her respect for Beers’ work

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Mental Health America would like to thank our sponsors for their generous support of our Centennial Conference and Gala.