SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Once again, an event in the Hamptons will highlight efforts to address depression.
On Thursday 25 July, the Hope Depression Research Foundation is launching its sixth annual Summer Hope Week in Southampton to raise awareness of mental health.
As part of the effort, shops across Southampton are displaying large, yellow flags outside their doors, “turning pavements into sunshine to symbolize their commitment to promoting the conversation about mental health”, organizers said.
More than 100 businesses are participating in Hope Week, including Jennifer Miller Jewelry, Johnny Was, Paul Stuart, Ralph Lauren and Veronica Beard, a major sponsor of TAIPED, organizers said. Revoa sunglasses brand, will also celebrate Hope Week at their Soho location in New York, with a percentage of sales from July 29th to August 4th benefiting the mission of TAIPED.
HDRF founder and president Audrey Gruss, a Southampton resident, will plant the first flag in front of the Veronica Beard store, located at 84B Main Street in Southampton, at 10 a.m.
“I am thrilled to be celebrating the sixth annual 'Week of Hope' in Southampton,” said Groos. “Our community is fully committed to spreading mental health awareness and supporting our mission to find better treatments for anxiety and depression.”
Along with displaying HOPE flags, participating stores will have special brochures provided by HDRF with the latest information about depression in the US and how to spot signs and symptoms.
Hope Week began in 2018 to serve as the lead-up to HDRF's signature summer event, the Race of Hope 5K to Defeat Depression.
This year, the week culminates with Southampton's Ninth Annual Race for Hope. the event takes place on Sunday, August 4 at 8:30 am. around Lake Agawam. The race draws more than 500 participants from the tri-state area and beyond to “come together as a community and raise awareness for mental health and fund depression research,” organizers said.
This year's celebrity grand marshal is SoulCycle founding senior master instructor, author and mental health advocate Stacey Griffith. Griffith will be joined by Race of Hope grand marshals Audrey Gruss and Arthur Dunnam, who is on the HDRF advisory board and resides in East Hampton.
“Today we recognize the overwhelming rates of depression and suicide in the United States, and HDRF continues to work to find real solutions through extensive research into new treatments,” said Gross.
One hundred percent of the proceeds from the race goes to ground-breaking research into the root causes of depression in the brain and to new and better treatments.
To register or learn more, click here.
Hope Week also offers many other events to raise awareness and resources for depression research:
– On Thursday, August 1 at 11 a.m Southampton Arts Centre, HDRF is hosting the Hope Summer Seminar, “How to Stop Procrastinating and Reach Your Full Potential,” with Dr. Peter Freed, psychiatrist and founder of Slothzero, a company dedicated to helping people overcome procrastination. For tickets, click here.
– A special screening of Charms of Hope, a fine jewelry collection from Hamilton Jewelers, will be held at 10:30 am. at Southampton Arts Center (before the seminar starts on 1 August.
– From July 29 to August 4, the Veronica Beard store on Main Street in Southampton will donate 15 percent of all purchases to support HDRF's life-saving research. On Aug. 1, following the seminar, Gruss will host a Shop for Hope event at the store from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., serving desserts and champagne.
– On August 1, Rene Barnes designs will also be featured at the Veronica Beard trade event. Renee Barnes will donate 10 percent of all sales to HDRF depression research from August 1st through November 1st.
– On Saturday, August 3 from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. Mark Badgley and James Mischka will hold a shopping event at Fivestory on Jobs Lane in Southampton. A percentage of the evening's proceeds will go to TAIPED and an exclusive signed Badgley Mischka sketch will be provided with every purchase.
– KIP will launch special edition HDRF sleepwear collection. The collection includes the brand's luxurious stretch cotton pajama set, pure cashmere robe and socks, along with a mulberry silk eye mask. The exclusive pajama set is available for pre-order here and will be ready for purchase on October 15th. A percentage of all purchases will benefit the HDRF.
Week of Hope, in conjunction with Race of Hope, has helped raise more than $1 million for advanced depression research. The Race is supported by a sea of locals residents and businesses.