Project Healthy Minds Hosts Annual Gala and Festival to Raise Mental Health Awareness

Project Healthy Minds, a leading mental health tech nonprofit, is set to host its fourth annual World Mental Health Day Gala and its fifth annual World Mental Health Day Festival. The events, which will take place on October 8 and 10, respectively, at New York's Spring Studios, aim to raise awareness and support for mental health services across the United States.

Nespresso will receive the "Corporate Visionary of the Year" award. Bill Lawrence, executive producer of popular TV series including "Shrinking" and "Ted Lasso," will be recognized as the "Storyteller of the Year." Renowned DJ Samantha Ronson will provide the evening's soundtrack with a high-energy set, featuring special guests including Jack Goldburg, founder of Jack's Dining Room & Yes Chef Group.

Adding a special dimension to the Gala, Naeem Khan, the world-renowned fashion designer and the Gala's Artistic Curator, will unveil his interactive "Beyond the Glitter" installation. This immersive exploration of the intersection of fashion and mental health will use fashion, light, and visual storytelling to examine the tension between outward radiance and the inner realities we all carry.

The World Mental Health Day Festival, free to the public, will take place on Saturday, October 10. Grounded in six pillars, Connect, Move, Restore, Reflect, Create, and Care, the festival will unite world-renowned thought leaders, celebrities, authors, and sports personalities for a full day of conversations and experiences. The dynamic lineup includes NBA Champion Karl-Anthony Towns, actor and author Terry Crews, and social psychologist Jonathan Haidt. Hands-on activations and fitness classes will be led by Sydney Miller, founder and CEO of HOUSEWORK; Kelsey Wells, global fitness trainer and mental health advocate; Becs Gentry, Peloton Instructor and ultramarathon runner; Timm Chiusano, author; Joe Gonzales, founder of Brooklyn Stroll Club; and Jack Bauer, certified breathwork facilitator, mindfulness coach, and fitness instructor. An award-winning puppy yoga class hosted by Puppy Sphere™ will also be featured.

Sessions will explore mental health through the lens of music, motherhood, entertainment, identity, performance, and technology. Additional sessions and workshops will be announced.

Project Healthy Minds, which has served more than 500,000 people through its programmatic initiatives, is dedicated to destigmatizing mental health, expanding access to mental health services, and advocating for innovative workplace investments in employee mental health. The organization's mission is to connect over 10 million Americans with mental health services over the next decade.