IdentifyLA : The Latest in Entertainment

View Original

Hope and Grace - Influencers Join The Conversation to be StigmaFree

(L-R) Actress Torrey DeVitto, Actress Rachel McCord, Vice President, Global PR, Social Media and Charity at philosophy Tiffani Carter-Thompson, Blogger Jamie Stone and National Director of Communications at NAMI Katrina Gay attend the Hope and Grace Luncheon with NAMI And Philosophy For Mental Health awareness month at Sofitel Hotel on May 19, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. Photo Credit: Araya Diaz/Getty Images for Philosophy.


Influencers gathered at Esterel in the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills to learn about the importance of education on mental illness. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Philosophy held its annual Hope & Grace luncheon to start the conversation on this illness and how it affects the lives of many.

Actresses Torrey DeVitto (L) and Rachel McCord attend the Hope and Grace Luncheon with NAMI And Philosophy For Mental Health awareness month at Sofitel Hotel on May 19, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. Photo Credit: Araya Diaz/Getty Images for Philosophy.

Philosophy is the wellbeing beauty brand that offers much more than amazing products. It builds the foundation and provides insight, inspiration, and words that uplift and nourish the spirit of its users. For over 20 years the company has been rooted in hope & grace. They pride themselves to help women look and feel their absolute best and also have a brand-wide commitment to support mental health and wellbeing by contributing 1% of all net USA product sales to effective community-based organizations working to empower women focusing on mental health and overall wellbeing. 

Goodies from the event. Photo Credit: Araya Diaz/Getty Images for Philosophy.

NAMI is the largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. Together NAMI and Philosophy will be an unstoppable force in spreading the message and getting the conversation going about mental health issues.

Below are a few facts about mental illness:

-1 in 5 Americans are affected by mental illness in a year

-Suicide is the second leading cause of death of our youth

-90% of those who die by suicide had an underlying mental illness 

-Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the  U.S.

Actress Rachel McCord attends the Hope and Grace Luncheon with NAMI And Philosophy For Mental Health awareness month at Sofitel Hotel on May 19, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. Photo Credit: Araya Diaz/Getty Images for Philosophy.

With May being Mental Health Awareness Month this event could not have come at a better time. Along with NBC's Chicago Med Torrey DeVitto and Rachel McCord of The McCord List, guests shared personal testimonies and took the pledge to be StigmaFree. 

(L-R) National Director of Communications at NAMI Katrina Gay, Actress Torrey DeVitto and Vice President, Global PR, Social Media and Charity at philosophy Tiffani Carter-Thompson attend the Hope and Grace Luncheon with NAMI And Philosophy For Mental Health awareness month at Sofitel Hotel on May 19, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. Photo Credit: Araya Diaz/Getty Images for Philosophy.

I encourage you to get the conversation going. Talk to your friends, family, and colleagues and inspire to be StigmaFree.

Stay connected: #stigmafree #hopeandgrace #esterelrestaurant #sofitellosangeles