By: Kyrie Sismaet By: Kyrie Sismaet | October 17, 2022 | People, Parties, City Life, News and Features, Celebrity, Interviews, Awards, Events, Women of Influence Latest, Entertainment,
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Mark your calendars, because on Wednesday, October 19th will be a star-studded evening full of awards, entertainment, and heartfelt advocacy, from Bring Change to Mind (BC2M)'s annual Revels & Revelations 10. This organization is a nonprofit co-founded by the incredibly talented Glenn Close and is devoted to ending the stigma and discrimination towards mental illness.
2022 marks the Revels & Revelations gala's 10 year, and this upcoming one at Bimbo's 365 Club is slated to be even bigger and more showstopping than ever, as celebrities Alanis Morissette, Jay Pharoah, and Andy Grammer will grace the stage along with the presenting of the Robin Williams Legacy of Laughter Award to none other than Melissa McCarthy.
Hosted by Glenn Close herself and Erich Bergen, this is an energizing and elegant night that is guaranteed to not only dazzle and raise funds, but also stimulate greater discussions and awareness towards the normalization of being more transparent and supportive with mental health issues.
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Visionary Glenn Close first established Bring Change to Mind in 2010 after several discussions with the nation's most premier mental health organizations regarding the gaps in proper advocacy and the ongoing harmful stigmas towards mental health. As her own sister Jessie lives with Bipolar Disorder, and nephew Calen with Schizoaffective Disorder, such issues come very personal to Glenn, and over the years BC2M's driven efforts have been able to powerfully shift perspectives and establish awareness programs, such as for the youth.
Formed in 2015, Bring Change to Mind’s High School Program, BC2M HS, is student-led and encourages youths to become active in their platforming for better mental health. Today over 450 high schools and 12,000 members in the greater Bay Area and across the country all participate in this valiant initiative, with this year's BC2M’s Seventh Annual High School Student Summit set for Friday, November 5th at 1955 Broadway Street in Oakland from 10am - 3pm.
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On Tuesday, October 18, there will also be a launching of Glenn Close and BC2M’s Scientific Advisory Council's signature dialogue series titled, "Stigma, Personhood, Context and Culture: Humanization & Inclusion for All," which entails an intimate and thought-provoking evening with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at The Battery on 717 Battery Street from 6 to 8pm.
The main event, Revels & Revelations, will be graciously set at the iconic Bimbo’s 365 Club on 1025 Columbus Avenue, with a cocktail reception at 6:30pm and the dinner and program following an hour later. From the irresistable melodies of Alanis Morissette, to the honoring of Melissa McCarthy's trailblazing comedic prowess, this is an evening promised to be spectacular, thrilling, and overall empowering.
We had the grateful chance to speak with the Executive Director of Bring Change to Mind, Pamela Harrington, all about what this event means for her, the importance of mental health in both our Covid era, and for teens, and what her most heartwarming memories are working with BC2M.
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Hi Pamela, thanks so much for taking the time to chat! First of all, it's important to know: why do you feel that visibility and advocacy for mental health is important now more than ever, especially from COVID?
Bring Change to Mind has been working for over a decade to make mental health a priority – it is the unpinning that we need to thrive as individuals, families, communities and businesses. The take-away from Covid is that we all now understand that mental health is something that we must address – our own wellbeing and the health of those around us.
The isolation, uncertainly and fear from the early days of pandemic and the violence around race inequalities has had every citizen at a heightened state of alarm. The United States is seeing the highest recorded level of anxiety and depression. The US Surgeon General has issued an Advisory on the Youth Mental Health Crisis. And the number of people we are losing to mental illness is unconscionable. We need to equip people with the tools and resources that they need to reach out for help or listen/identify when someone needs support. We need to get federal and state monies into communities and schools to provide more access to care.
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How do you feel about the significance of Melissa McCarthy winning the Robin Williams Legacy of Laughter Award in San Francisco?
We’re so grateful to work with The Williams Family to bestow this award in Robin’s name. Robin’s son, Zak Williams, has served on our Board of Directors and is a leader in mental health advocacy and an entrepreneur. Melissa McCarthy has provided us with that balm of laughter and comedy over the last 25 years and we could not be more thrilled to introduce her to the previous recipients of this award that include: Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Ben Stiller, The Smith Family and Dan & Eugene Levy.
Laughter has numerous long term and short term benefits for mental health.
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Definitely. And so with the younger generations and high schoolers, how important is it to you that this demographic understands the importance of destigmatizing mental health issues and prioritizing self-care?
Over the last eight years we have worked with high school students across the country with Bring Change to Mind Clubs – we currently work in 38 states and have more than 12,000 students participating in this evidence-based movement of change. It is absolutely critical that young people have the space and the agency to advocate for themselves, better understand how to reach out for help and to create empathic environments within their schools. We are now piloting a middle school program in SoCal and hope to roll this out in the coming years.
I have never been more inspired than in witnessing the work and enthusiasm of the incredible teen leaders that we have the opportunity work with. AND – 47% of these high school teen leaders want to pursue behavioral health career paths. Our city, state and nation need this so desperately.
What have been some of your favorite memorable and heartfelt moments working with BC2M?
I have been with Bring Change to Mind for 11 of its 12 years. My incredible staff gifted me a bejeweled tear box for tissues because there is not a day that I am not moved to tears in this work. I am amazed by our mighty teen advocates that are so strong and compassionate. They will change everything – laws, parity, insurance, school offerings, workplace and medical practices. Too often I am in tears from learning of the loss that a family is enduring. Our work with youth will save lives and that keeps me motivated.
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Lastly, what are some small or easy ways we can advocate or show support for mental health awareness and make a change in our day to day lives?
It can be as simple as checking in with people. With remote work and hybrid gatherings it’s difficult to see how people are really doing. Someone can put on a smiling face for a 30 minute Zoom but we need to connect with one another in person and with more humanity. Ask people how they are really doing and listen without judgement. You don’t have to be a therapist or have the answers – an empathic ear is hugely important. Visit our website and social channels to get involved in local events and help to support our teens through charitable giving.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful responses Pamera, we can't wait to see Revels & Revelations all stunningly unfold at Bimbo's 365 Club Wednesday, October 19th!
You can find more information on Bring Change to Mind, and get tickets to Bring Change to Mind at www.bringchange2mind.org
See also: SF Bay Area Organizations To Support For Breast Cancer Awareness Month
This interview has been edited and condensed.
Photography by: Marcel Strauss/Unsplash
