First Ladies to host Emmy-winning actor and filmmaker at Mental Health Foundation's August Evening in Saratoga

Related Media

Joe Pantoliano

ALBANY, NY (06/12/2010)(readMedia)-- First Lady of Saratoga Marylou Whitney and former New York First Lady Matilda Cuomo will welcome Emmy-winning actor and film-maker Joe Pantoliano as the Mental Health Foundation holds its annual August Evening in Saratoga on Monday, August 16 from 5:30-8:00 pm. The event will take place at The Saratoga National Golf Course in Saratoga Springs. Both Mrs. Whitney and Mrs. Cuomo have co-chaired the August Evening in Saratoga for the past five years. Mrs. Cuomo also serves on the Foundation Board.

Pantoliano is best known for his ability to pick groundbreaking projects such as The Matrix, LaBamba, Memento, and Bad Boys. He won an Emmy Award for his performance as Ralph Cifaretto on The Sopranos. Pantoliano has spoken extensively about his own struggles with clinical depression. His challenges led him to found an organization called NKM2 – No Kidding, Me Too – focused on making mental illness part of normal conversation in America. His celebrated 2010 documentary NKM2 will be screened during the August event.

The message of NKM2 closely coordinates with the mission of the Mental Health Foundation to end stigma through dialogue and understanding. Last year the Foundation launched the "It's Okay to Talk About It" grant program, which was suggested by Marylou Whitney and her husband John Hendrickson. The grant program was established to support initiatives that help young people deal with the challenges of mental illness.

The Mental Health Foundation has presented a range of successful events in recent years in its effort to promote better understanding about mental health, including hosting mental health advocate Tipper Gore, at an Albany reception last May, and a 2006 event with former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. The Foundation's annual Paws for a Cause at the Plaza each of the past four years has drawn tens of thousands of participants and helped celebrate the link between the animals in our lives and good mental health.

The Foundation's education work has also included production of a series Your Health in Mind that was presented in partnership with Time Warner Cable. The Foundation has also funded a graduate student internship through the University at Albany's School of Public Health to help develop the "It's Okay to Talk About It" program.

Proceeds for an August Evening in Saratoga will support the Foundations continuing educational efforts related to good mental health. Tickets are $100. To learn more about the Mental Health Foundation visit www.mentalhealthfoundation.net or call 426-7252 to reserve a ticket to the event.

-30-