As Southampton prepares for its tenth annual Race of Hope on August 3, the event stands not only as a testament to community spirit but also as a beacon in the ongoing fight against mental health stigma. Benefitting Hope For Depression Research Foundation, the event has transformed the conversation around depression, rallying over 1,000 participants each year to champion awareness and fund vital research. We spoke to HFDR founder Audrey Gruss to dive into the vision behind Race of Hope and reflect on the significant strides made in mental health research.
What inspired you to create this event in Southampton?
We created the Race of Hope to give people a meaningful way to rally around mental health, raise funds for life-saving research, and reduce the stigma surrounding depression. I am so grateful for the dedication of our Southampton community. The Race has grown every year, and it now has over 1,000 participants! This year is our tenth annual Southampton Race of Hope.
What does it mean to you to see the yellow tide of runners and walkers moving through the streets of Southampton each summer? What are you most looking forward to at this year’s event?
Seeing the smiles and excitement of the participants that show up on race day is amazing. Everybody wears caps and race gear in HDRF’s signature yellow, so it looks like a sea of sunshine! We’ve come a long way in bringing mental health into the public eye. What I look forward to most is the moment when everyone comes together, not just to run or walk, but to stand united in hope.
Over the years, how has the conversation regarding depression and mental health evolved, and in what ways has HDRF contributed to this shift?
HDRF has for 20 years been at the forefront of changing public attitudes about depression with major annual events such as the Race of HOPE and our Annual HOPE Luncheon in NYC. When HDRF was founded 20 years ago, mental illness was rarely discussed openly. Today, thanks to tireless advocacy and awareness and education events, the conversation has changed dramatically. HDRF’s role has been to educate the public that depression is a medical illness while supporting the essential science that will lead to better treatment and prevention for future generations.
What recent advancements in depression research excite you the most?
The top brain scientists that comprise our Depression Task Force recently announced that — out of the 20,000 that make up the human body — they have identified 20 new gene targets in the brain that can lead to novel treatments for depression. Through a series of collaborative research projects, they have found that these 20 genes produce proteins whose levels get out of balance in stress-related disorders like depression. Treatments targeting these protein imbalances are now ready to be tested in pilot clinical trials. This represents a major turning point for the mental health research space, and HDRF is leading the way.
What are your hopes for the future of the Race of Hope?
Race of Hope started in Southampton and has now expanded to Palm Beach and New York City. My hope is that it continues to grow and expand nationwide! Depression affects one-third of Americans every year, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, or socio-economic level. The message of Race of Hope is that you are not alone and there is hope in the fight against depression. It is a fun but serious event where people can show up, speak out, and support the science that will lead us to better treatments and prevention.
