Veterans Affairs Secretary Shinseki to Present at Mental Health Association of New York City Gala

The Mental Health Association of New York City (MHA-NYC) has announced that the Honorable Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, will attend our annual benefit gala on June 6th at Cipriani 42nd Street.

Secretary Shinseki will present the award to our gala honoree Kenneth Fisher and family, of Fisher Brothers and will speak about the important contributions of Mr. Fisher and the Fisher Houses to VA and veterans across the country. The Secretary will also acknowledge the importance of the joint commitment between VA and MHA-NYC in working toward preventing veteran suicides.

The Fisher family created 60 Fisher Houses, "homes away from home," that provide a space for military families to be close to a loved one during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury. MHA-NYC collaborates with government to provide life-saving programs such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (funded by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) and the Veterans Crisis Line (funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs). These lines together will respond to over a million calls this year.

"Secretary Shinseki has been a dedicated leader, helping improve the lives of America's veterans by expanding the VA's mental health services. We are privileged to work closely with the Department of Veterans Affairs on the Veterans Crisis Line and are honored that he will join us at our gala." said Giselle Stolper, President and CEO of MHA-NYC.

The event, "Where There is Help, There is Hope" will highlight MHA-NYC's 50 years of providing people with mental health challenges and their families with the support they need to live productive and healthy lives. This year's gala will focus on the mental wellbeing of our nation's veterans and military personnel whose psychological wounds can be as painful and debilitating as the physical injuries sustained in war. Howard Cross, Superbowl champion Tight End for the New York Giants, television personality and Senior Vice President at commercial real estate firm Cresa New York will serve as emcee. Howard will be joined by his Giants teammate and Superbowl MVP Ottis "O.J." Anderson as celebrity auctioneers for the evening.

Ric Clark, Chairman of Brookfield Office Properties and Bruce Mosler, Chairman of Global Brokerage, Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. will serve as Dinner Chairs. Vice Chairs for "Where There is Help, There is Hope" are: Frank Branchini, President and COO of EmblemHealth, Inc., Scott Cutler, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Listings at NYSE Euronext, Kevin J. Danehy, Executive Chairman, Brookfield Global Relocation Services, Inc., and Cynthia Zirinsky, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, New York Gracie Square Hospital.

Learn more about the event and purchase tickets at www.mha-nyc.org/2013gala