Raising Awareness and Money in Palm Beach

By Christine Stapleton

For four months every year - December through April - Palm Beach becomes ground zero for charity fundraising in the United States. Groups from all over the world descend on the island with hands open and pricey galas. We’re talking tiaras and couture gowns. Caviar and truffles. Private performances by members of Cirque du Soleil, Sheryl Crowe and James Taylor. Ticket prices: $500 plus. Venues: Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago and the historic Breakers Hotel.

Say what you want. It seems kind of weird when we are a frog’s hair from double-digit unemployment and Wall Street Armageddon. But if that’s what it takes to raise millions for mental health research - perennially at the bottom of the government-funded research food chain - so be it.

During the last two weeks the big mental health groups came to town and brought with them a few celebs and the world’s top scientists. I get invited and I am honored to attend. It means so much to me to be out in public among people who do not doubt that depression is real. I love being able to talk about my illnesses without someone getting embarrassed or changing the subject.

I love listening to the scientists - even if I don’t understand what they are saying - and studying the brain scans they display on big screens. “Healthy brain on the right, depressed brain on the left.” ”Healthy brain on the right, bipolar brain on the left.” “Healthy brain on the right, addict brain on the left.” I just want to shout - “See! It’s real! I’m not making this us! I am sick! Depression is real! Bi-polar is real! Alcoholism is real!” Except everyone in the ballroom knows that. It’s the folks outside that don’t know.

I thought about writing just one blog about all these events. But there is too much - so much I want to say about each one, the speakers, the venues and the celebs. So, over the next few days I am going to share with you my experiences here in Palm Beach with the smartest, richest and most understanding people in mental health research and treatment.

Have a great day and remember, there are people out there who believe us and want to help. Come back tomorrow for my interview with four-time Super Bowl champ Terry Bradshaw.

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