Oscar Winner Richard Dreyfuss to Appear at Depression Research Foundation Event

The Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF), an organization dedicated to funding cutting-edge scientific research, will hold its 7th annual HOPE Seminar on November 7, 2013 in New York City. This year the topic will focus on clinical depression in men, providing potentially life-saving information about hard-to-recognize symptoms. The featured speaker will be Richard Dreyfuss, Academy Award-winning actor, who will recount his personal experiences living with bipolar disorder. Master of ceremonies will be Chuck Scarborough, NBC's Emmy Award-winning anchor and correspondent.

Richard Dreyfuss states, "I'm honored to have been asked to speak at this year's HOPE Seminar and tell my personal story. I am grateful to speak because it allows me to remove the word "stigma" from any association with depression. It's an irresponsible word, and I am calling on society to elevate discussion of depression, which is a physical, medical condition. I also want to stress the need for the kind of advanced medical research that HDRF is doing in depression. While some progress has been made, so many people are without medication that works, and that is unacceptable and unfair."

Depression is a killer; the annual death rate from suicide is higher than the death rate from homicide. While depression affects twice as men women as men, an overwhelming 80% of suicides in the U.S. are men. One of the most pronounced increases in suicide has been seen among male Baby Boomers. Studies reveal that the financial crisis has been a trigger for this increase. In addition, studies show depression is significantly associated with retirement in late middle-aged U.S. workers.

Audrey Gruss, Founder and Chairman of HDRF, states, "There is a grave need, now more than ever, to get the facts out about depression in men and talk openly. I salute Richard for being a thinking man's hero, for helping others understand the facts about depression and its related mood and emotional disorders."

Gruss added, "Both Richard and HDRF know the pressing need for innovative research in this greatly underfunded field. Over 50% of depressed individuals do not respond to existing medications or other treatments. In the 27 years since the advent of Prozac, no major new treatments have been developed. Virtually all new medications are variations of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). HDRF is funding unprecedented research to develop new medications and treatments."

Annual HOPE Seminar Details

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