Audrey Gruss spent decades watching her mother, Hope, suffer from clinical depression. “I saw what a debilitating disease it was firsthand and made it my mission to build a foundation that could find new and better treatments for depression and its related mood disorders,” she said. So in 2006, Gruss did just that: she founded the Hope for Depression Research Foundation. Now, 18 years later, the HDRF is going strong with its dual mission is to raise awareness and fund the advancement of research into the diagnosis and prevention of depression, as well as new and better treatments.
On August 4th, crowds will assemble in Southampton for the ninth annual Race of Hope. But the event is part of a full week of activities that begin on July 25th. Throughout the week a number of local institutions will display yellow flags in honor of the HDRF, and some retailers will host benefit activations. And on August 1, the Southampton Cultural Center will host a seminar with renowned psychiatrist Dr. Peter Freed.
Ahead of the race, PALMER chatted with Gruss.
Who is this year’s celebrity Grand Marshal?
Founding Senior Master Instructor at SoulCycle, acclaimed author and mental health advocate Stacey Griffith. She penned Two Turns From Zero and ENERGIZE! Go From Dragging Ass to Kicking it in 30 Days! She is also a highly sought-after motivational speaker, having earned the position of lead SoulCycle instructor and motivator on Oprah Winfrey’s 2014 Life You Want Tour, motivating 17,000 people in 84 U.S. cities. She even served as our celebrity DJ at the Teen Race of Hope in New York City.
Do you participate every year?
I am always standing at the starting line cheering on all of our participants. I also love watching every single one of our runners cross the finish line and support our mission to raise mental health awareness and funds for research.
What’s your most memorable Race of Hope moment?
Wall Streeter Michael Fleming, husband and father of three young boys, died by suicide two years ago. His widow, Adrienne, and three sons attended the Race of Hope last year. Adrienne told me that she and her boys were uplifted by being part of a community of mental health supporters. It was the first time that they realized they were not alone, and that suicide is an illness. They will be at the Race again this year, and I will hold the four of them in my arms and thank them for their courage and support. My stepson, Josh Gruss, created “Team Fleming” for many of Mike’s friends to join the Race to show support for this important cause.
Gurss (right) at the Palm Beach Run for Hope.
What do you usually do after the Race?
We celebrate our incredibly dedicated team at a brunch in a local restaurant.
Why did you start the Race of Hope in Southampton?
Many of our leadership community live in the Hamptons during the summer and helped us see the opportunity to spread the word to this influential community.
What does the route look like?
Our starting line and finish line are at Southampton Cultural Center, 25 Pond Lane. The Race participants are led on a beautiful 5K (3.1 mile) route around Lake Agawam in Southampton Village.
Why is awareness around mental health important?
We are seeing shocking statistics on the rates of depression and anxiety in America. One-third of adults are affected, and the rates are more staggering in our teens, with more than one in three high school students reporting feelings of persistent sadness and hopelessness, a 40% increase since 2009. Depression is the number one reason for suicide worldwide.
Tell us about the HOPE Seminar!
Our HOPE Seminar this year is with Dr. Peter Freed on the topic “How to Stop Procrastinating and Reach Your Full Potential.” Dr. Freed is an expert on motivation and will discuss how it ties into our mental health.
How are you reaching younger generations?
We have seen more and more young people join our fight and even created the Teen Race of Hope for them specifically. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 15 to 19. Almost 4,000 children and teens attempt suicide every day, so it’s more vital than ever for teens to be supported and understand the importance of mental health and where they can find help.
Has the HDRF made any recent discoveries?
Dr. Eric Nestler, the Chair of our Depression Task Force (DTF) at Hope for Depression Research Foundation, recently announced that the DTF has identified 20 new molecular targets in the brain—i.e. 20 genes and the proteins they produce—that can lead to novel treatments for depression. Through a series of joint research projects, the DTF narrowed the genetic complexity of depression from over 20,000 genes in the human body, down to 1,500. Using advanced tools to manipulate individual genes in specific brain cells, the DTF scientists narrowed down that pool to 20 gene targets, which will soon go into clinical trials.
Are there any differences between the Southampton and Palm Beach runs?
While they both support the same cause, we have a different crowd at each event with their own committee that are dedicated to supporting mental health through their individual communities. Depression doesn’t discriminate from one community to the next. It affects everyone—every race, religion, age, gender, education, and socio-economic level. The eyes of the world are on both communities, and what we all have in common is the need for good mental health.
Read more about Audrey Gruss in our profile from PALMER Vol. 4. To register or donate to the Race of Hope, click here.