Mariel Hemingway keynote speaker at mental health network’s 60th anniversary

Oscar-nominated actress and author Mariel Hemingway will provide the keynote address at Shine On, the Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network’s 60th anniversary dinner celebration on Oct. 14 at the Grand Hyatt Downtown Denver. Hemingway has spoken openly about her family’s history of mental illness, addiction and suicide.

About her book, released last week, Hemingway said, “My family — my father, my mother, my two sisters and myself — is the kind of family that in today’s era of euphemism and doublespeak, gets called ‘dysfunctional.’”

Her parents had a tumultuous and addiction laden relationship, her two older sisters struggled with mental health and addiction issues as well. Model and actress, Margaux, died as a result of a drug overdose. Mariel Hemingway recounts seven known suicides in her family, including most notably, her grandfather the late Ernest Hemingway, who died by suicide months before her birth.

Hemingway said, “When you’re inside a situation, moving through it day to day, you just think of it as the life you’re living…As I have gotten older, as the events of my youth have become more distant, I have started to think back through the days and months and years, not only to make sense of them now but to think about how I made sense of them back then.”

CEO Joan DiMaria said, “We are really thrilled and so fortunate to have Mariel Hemingway speak at our 60th anniversary celebration because her story helps raise awareness around mental illness, which one in four adults struggle with today. Her ability to cope, grow and forgive is an inspiration and an example we can all benefit from.”

At the event, Hemingway will talk about her recently released book, “Out Came the Sun: Overcoming the Legacy of Mental Illness, Addiction, and Suicide in My Family”, and through a conversation with DiMaria, she will provide insight and encouragement to all those affected by these common conditions.

Since 1955, Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network has provided mental health and substance abuse services in the south metro area. The 60th anniversary gala will celebrate past accomplishments and future goal of the organization, its partners and all of the clients and families served. Proceeds from the event support suicide prevention services and mental health crisis care.

For more information, go to www.admhn.org.