The Jed Foundation Hosts Eighth Annual Gala
The Jed Foundation was founded in 2000 by Donna and Phil Satow, after their beloved son, Jed, commited suicide. The Foundation’s mission is to reduce emotional distress and prevent suicide, the second leading cause of death among college students. Unaddressed emotional problems are a top reason students struggle in school academically and socially. The Jed Foundation’s programs are changing the way parents and students think about mental health, paving the way for more young people to get treatment if needed, and helping colleges create safer, healthier campus communities.
President John Sexton of New York University attended the event and has initiated a program to help students cope with depression (see Education Update next month for the article).
Hosted by Stone Phillips, the evening honored musician/entrepreneur/activist Pete Wentz and President of HBO Documentary/Films Sheila Nevins for their contributions to the national dialogue on mental health in America. Ms. Nevins was cited for her role in producing the documentary Boy Interrupted, about a 15-year-old boy in New York City who committed suicide. The gala featured performances by Kristy Cates (of the original Broadway cast of Wicked) and The Bacon Brothers. #