NEW YORK, Nov. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Child Mind Institute (www.childmind.org) raised $6.63 million and honored Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Dr. Thomas R. Insel at its fifth anniversary Child Advocacy Award Dinner at Cipriani 42(nd) Street Monday night. These critical funds will allow the Child Mind Institute to continue providing life-changing mental health care for children, pursuing scientific breakthroughs, and expanding public education and outreach efforts.
Secretary Clinton received the 2014 Child Advocacy Award for her longstanding commitment to helping children in need.
"What I love most about Hillary is her work on behalf of children," said Child Mind Institute president Harold S. Koplewicz, MD. "Hillary's first job out of law school was at the Yale Child Study Center where she was dismayed at how little judges in family court knew about children's psychiatric and learning disorders. Since that time, she has been a caring and fierce advocate for kids, most recently as founder of the child advocacy organization Too Small to Fail."
Secretary Clinton spoke about the importance of lifting stigma surrounding mental illness and discussed how vital it is that we treat mental illness with the same sense of urgency and care as physical health.
"Central insight of the Child Mind Institute is that the mental health and well-being of children is every bit as important as the physical health and well-being," she said. "It may seem obvious, but that is not yet firmly enough embedded in our national understanding, and we still face stigma around the treatment and care of children with mental health challenges."
In addition, Dr. Thomas R. Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, was presented with the 2015 Child Mind Institute Distinguished Scientist Award in honor of his extraordinary contributions to research in brain development and disease. Both the 2014 Child Advocacy Award and the 2015 Distinguished Scientist Award were designed and donated by Michael Aram.
The evening, which was hosted by Ali Wentworth, also spotlighted the stories of families who have worked with the Child Mind Institute to overcome mental health issues. The evening concluded with a lively auction led by Lydia Fenet of Christie's, which raised funds for the Child Mind Institute's financial aid program. To date the Child Mind Institute has provided $2.3 million in financial aid to families in need. Each dollar raised for the financial aid fund will be matched by time donated by Child Mind Institute clinicians.
"The financial aid fund is such an important part of what the Child Mind Institute does," said Brooke Garber Neidich, chair of the Child Mind Institute board of directors. "No child should be denied mental health care because his or her family can't pay. These donations will ensure that more children than ever receive the help they need."
Benefit chairs included: Elizabeth & Michael Fascitelli; Debra G. Perelman & Gideon Gil; Joan Granlund; Julie Minskoff; Brooke Garber Neidich & Daniel Neidich; Amy & John Phelan; Linnea & George Roberts; Preethi Krishna & Ram Sundaram
Dinner chairs included: Elaine Thomas & Joseph Healey; Christine & Richard Mack; Anne Welsh McNulty; Valerie Mnuchin & Bruce Moskowitz; Danyelle & Josh Resnick; Eileen & Brian Riano; Arnold Simon; Min Sun
Additional Benefit leadership included: Rula Jebreal Altschul & Arthur G. Altschul, Jr.; Lisa Domenico Brooke; Alfonse D'Amato; Molly Jong Fast & Matthew Greenfield; George Hall; Jen & Jon Harris; Anne Keating; Mindy Schneider & Michael Lesser; Tammy & Jay Levine; Joella & John Lykouretzos; Connie Mack; David Molner; Kim & Ralph Rosenberg; Jil & Jordan Schaps; Nellie Chi & George Sing; Laura & Harry Slatkin; Tony Spring; Wendy Svarre
About the Child Mind Institute (childmind.org) The Child Mind Institute is dedicated to transforming mental health care for children everywhere. Founded by Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz and Brooke Garber Neidich, our organization is committed to finding more effective treatments for childhood psychiatric and learning disorders, building the science of healthy brain development, and empowering children and their families with help, hope, and answers. The Child Mind Institute does not accept funding from the pharmaceutical industry.
Press Contacts:
Child Mind Institute?
Alison McSherry, 646-625-4341
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SOURCE Child Mind Institute
