Former U.S. Representative, founder of the Kennedy Forum, co-founder of One Mind and New York Times best-selling author, The Honorable Patrick J. Kennedy is the featured speaker for Grant Halliburton Foundation’s 11th annual Beacon of Hope Community Luncheon on Tuesday, March 10 at the Omni Dallas Hotel. A reception begins at 11 a.m., and the luncheon starts at 11:45 a.m. Grant Halliburton Foundation works to strengthen the network of mental health resources for children, teens and young adults; promote better mental health; and prevent suicide.
Dixey Arterburn and Ginger Sager are luncheon chairs, Kylie Hughitt and Jessica Slay are luncheon vice chairs. Honorary chairs are Kate and Art Anderson. Special entertainment features RAINNE, an alt-pop duo with singer-songwriter Annie Dingwill and saxophonist Justin Klunk. Dingwall performed at the first luncheon in 2010.
The Honorable Patrick J. Kennedy is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and the nation’s leading political voice on mental illness, addiction and other brain diseases. During his 16-year career representing Rhode Island in Congress, he fought a national battle to end medical and societal discrimination against these illnesses, highlighted by his lead sponsorship of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 and his brave openness about his own health challenges. The son of U.S. Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy, he decided to leave Congress not long after his father’s death to devote his career to advocacy for brain diseases and to create a new, healthier life and start a family. He has since founded the Kennedy Forum, which unites the mental health community, and co-founded One Mind for Research, a global leader in open science collaboration in brain research. Kennedy is also the co-author of “A Common Struggle,” which outlines a bold plan for the future of mental health in America. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, Amy, and their five children.
Kennedy said, “I see a future where everyone who needs mental health care gets it. We must end the separate and unequal treatment of mental health and addiction, and ensure each of us is able to achieve a full, meaningful life.”
Tables start at $2,500 and can be purchased online at https://www.granthalliburton.org/bohtickets.
The Beacon of Hope Luncheon aims to bring focus to the vital work needed to educate the North Texas community on adolescent mental health and suicide prevention. Through its work in North Texas schools and the community, Grant Halliburton Foundation aims to change this grim reality as it works to promote awareness and understanding of teen and young adult mental health and to prevent suicide.
The Foundation also offers two free community tools to help North Texans find mental health and addiction information and resources:
- HereForTexas.com is a website with a searchable database of North Texas providers, designed to help people make informed decisions about mental health care.
- The Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line is a helpline that offers people personal assistance with finding providers and resources that match their needs. Help is just a free phone call away at 972-525-8181.
Grant Halliburton Foundation was established in 2006 in memory of a Dallas teen who battled depression and bipolar disorder for several years before his suicide death at the age of 19. The Foundation that bears his name works to help families and young people recognize the signs of mental illness through a variety of avenues including education, conferences, collaboration and encouragement. Grant Halliburton Foundation works to strengthen the network of mental health resources for children, teens and young adults; promote better mental health; and help prevent suicide. The Foundation provides mental health education, training and support to more than 35,000 students, educators, parents, and professionals annually. More information can be found at https://www.granthalliburton.org/.