Mental Health Foundation to honor Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson at August Evening in Saratoga

ALBANY, NY (07/15/2012)(readMedia)-- The Mental Health Foundation will honor Marylou Whitney and her husband, John Hendrickson as part of its annual An August Evening in Saratoga, Monday, August 20th at 5:30 pm at Saratoga National Golf Club. Gov. Mario M. and Matilda Raffa Cuomo will host the event. As a founding member of the Board, Mrs. Cuomo continues to serve on the Foundation Board and has co-chaired the Saratoga event with Mrs. Whitney for the past six years.

"Marylou and John have been the Foundation's earliest, most consistent and most generous supporters," Cuomo said. "Marylou Whitney is the First Lady of Saratoga and the first lady of grace no matter where she goes," Mrs. Cuomo said. "Marylou has been our dear and special friend for two decades.

The Mental Health Foundation seeks to end stigma around mental health through dialogue and understanding. In 2009 the Foundation launched the "It's Okay to Talk About It" grant program, which was suggested by Whitney and Hendrickson. The program has distributed nearly $100,000 in grants to support initiatives that help young people recover with the challenges of mental health.

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 in 2009, and a 2006 event with former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. This year we all have the great opportunity to express our deep gratitude to Marylou and John for the dedication and assistance they have given to the Mental Health Foundation to help people with mental health issues.

The Foundation's education work has also included production of a series Your Health in Mind, which 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.

The program for An August Evening in Saratoga will be hosted by CBS6 News Anchor Liz Bishop.

Event sponsors are Pfizer, Colley Asset Management, CSEA, Savatore Ferragamo, NYSUT, PRIME, Sentron Associates, and Tonio Burgos & Associates.

Proceeds for An August Evening in Saratoga will support the Foundation's continuing educational efforts related to good mental health. Tickets are $100. To RSVP and learn more about the Mental Health Foundation visit www.mentalhealthfoundation.net or call 426-7252.

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