Social, Community & Cultural Issues
Social Services- Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders
Social Services- Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders:
Former US Representative, Rhode Island
Patrick Kennedy was a Representative from Rhode Island to the US House of Representatives. He now works as a mental health advocate and speaks about mental health, healthcare and many other related issues.
Award-Winning Actress, Producer & Equal Rights Advocate
With various ‘firsts’ in her already impressive career, Laverne Cox is a four-time Emmy- nominated actress, Emmy-winning producer, and a prominent equal rights advocate and public speaker.
Former NBA Player / Addiction Recovery Advocate
A hometown basketball legend, Chris Herren realized his dream of playing for the Celtics only to lose it all to addiction. He shares his story in Basketball Junkie & the ESPN documentary Unguarded.
Abuse & Homelessness Survivor, Author of CinderGirl
Empowering others with her inspiring life story, Christina Meredith survived sexual, mental and emotional abuse, incest, trauma, aging out of foster care, poverty and homelessness to forge a life committed to helping others.
Author, Recovering Addict & Son of Michael Douglas
Born into Hollywood royalty as the son of Michael and grandson of Kirk, Cameron is the author of the #1 Amazon bestseller Long Way Home, an unflinching account of his dangerous descent into years of drug abuse and his eventual rise to recovery.
Actor & Filmmaker
Sean Astin is an actor and director known for his roles in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Goonies, Rudy and Netflix’s Stranger Things 2. Son of actress Patty Duke, he is an advocate for mental health awareness, civic engagement and more.
Social Services Advocate, Community Activist
A vibrant community activist, Lonise Bias has turned the losses of her two sons (including basketball star Len Bias) into a calling to help remedy the social ills of today.
Recovering Addict & Subject of Beautiful Boy
Nic Sheff’s heartbreaking and inspiring struggle with substance abuse disorder is the story of Beautiful Boy, a major motion picture starring Timothée Chalamet as Nic and Steve Carrell as his father, David.
Mental Health Advocate
After battling depression for years, Kathy Cronkite now fights the stigma attached to mental illness by educating people about depression and on how to get help.
Award-Winning Actress & Best-Selling Author
Speaker Jamie Lee Curtis has demonstrated her versatility as an actress with roles in such films as Halloween. She is also the author of eight children's books.
Actor & Activist
A prolific actor of stage and screen, Rob Lowe is known for his roles in St. Elmo's Fire, and Parks and Recreation. He is also a dedicated cancer activist and the author of Stories I Only Tell My Friends.
Five-Time Emmy Award-Winning Journalist
Sheila Hamilton is an award-winning journalist and the host of Portland’s #1 radio program, Kink.fm. Her book, All the Things We Never Knew is at the top of Amazon's new releases in mental health and suicide.
Broadcaster, Author & Mental Health Activist
O’Brien is known for his work as a sportscaster with CBS and NBC as well as anchor and host of Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight and the Insider. Now, more than 7 years sober, he counsels and helps others.
Actor, Producer, & Mental Health Activist
Award-winning actor Joe Pantoliano has made it his mission to put a face on the issue of mental health. He works to "stomp the stigma" associated with brain disease, and offers hope to those affected.
Interventionist on the A&E Series Intervention
“The Face of Recovery” on the award-winning A&E series Intervention, Candy Finnigan is a nationally recognized addiction specialist and interventionist who has been involved in the recovery business for 25 years.
Entertainer & Mental Health Advocate
Pointer’s voice turned out to be missing when the Pointer Sisters went from a trio to a quartet. Pointer’s memoir, Still So Excited!: My Life as a Pointer Sister is about her rock, recovery, and redemption.
VP Public Affairs Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
Moyers is the VP of public affairs and community relations at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. He has committed himself to helping people understand addiction and the promise and possibility of recovery.
Pro BMX Competitor & Recovering Addict
Elite pro BMX competitor Tony Hoffman is the founder and CEO of the Freewheel Project, a non-profit BMX racing organization devoted to educating youth on the importance of leading drug-free lives.
Dean of Yale School of Public Health and C.-E. A. Winslow Professor of Public Health (Health Policy)
Dr. Ranney is a practicing emergency physician and national advocate for innovative approaches to public health. Her research focuses on digital health interventions to prevent violence, health disparities and COVID-related risk reduction.
Authors, Storytellers & Advocates
Twins Sarah Eagle Heart and Emma Eagle Heart-White are members of the Oglala Lakota Nation and grew up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where they learned Native American storytelling traditions.
Co-Authors of The Price She Pays, Mental Health Advocates & Licensed Experts
For Katie Steele and Dr. Tiffany Brown, sports have always been a means of connection, and when they witnessed first-hand the mental health crisis facing athletes, they could not look away.
Author, Self Esteem Coach & Advice Columnist
A woman with a message, Abiola Abrams is an empowerment coach, advice columnist, motivator and author. She is passionate about body image issues, women’s issues, healthy relationships and personal development.
Neuroscientist & Mental Health Advocate
Dr. Addy is a sought-after speaker on college and university campuses, a popular conference keynote speaker, and a frequent guest on podcasts and community panels where he discusses topics of neuroscience, mental health, faith, and diversity.
Subject of the Film Hoop Dream
Arthur G Agee Jr is featured in the award-winning, internationally acclaimed motion picture, Hoop Dreams. He tells audiences his story of resilience and the importance of community role models.
First Legally Deaf Player in NBA History
Hearing impaired since birth, former NBA player Lance Allred is a best-selling author and thought leader who compels those around him to seek ways to overcome setbacks and pursue dreams.
Co-Founder of ACE Study
Dr. Robert Anda played the principal role in the design of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study and serves as its Co-Principal Investigator. He has presented findings from the ACE Study at Congressional Briefings and numerous conferences.
Comedian, Actor & Writer
One of Hollywood's most entertaining funnymen, Tom Arnold is a Golden Globe-winning writer and producer. Sober for 20 years, he shares his story of addiction and recovery.
Mental Health Advocate
Jennifer Ayers-Moore is sister to Nathaniel Ayers, the subject of The Soloist. She is an outspoken advocate for the artistically gifted mentally ill.
Actress
Meredith Baxter has been an actress for 49 years; she’s also a writer, artist and mother of five, grandmother of 3. She starred in five television series, including the long-running Family Ties.
Clinical Psychologist & Executive Coach
A clinical psychologist, executive coach and international lecturer on stress, mindfulness and behavior change, Dr. Damon Bayles is committed to helping people cut through the noise and distress in their lives to develop clarity and confidence.
Actor & Environmental Activist
A recognizable actor with credits in such films as Pineapple Express and A Mighty Wind, Ed Begley Jr. is an environmentalist whose work has earned him a number of awards.
Actor & Musician
Actor Jim Belushi has been seen on Saturday Night Live, According to Jim and a number of feature films. He shares his humorous perspective on life and the male/female relationship.