2010 Annual Benefit Gala: The Fifth Annual Gala will be held on Friday, October 22, 2010, at the celebrated Edison Ballroom on 47th Street in Midtown Manhattan. The theme for the evening will be the Roaring Twenties. Cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, silent and live auctions, and a raffle promise an exciting evening that is sure to please past gala attendees as well as attract many new guests not yet familiar with the Foundation.
About: The Dave Nee Foundation was created in the wake of the 2005 suicide of Dave Nee, a brilliant law student who struggled silently with depression for many years. The Foundation was formed a year later by a group of his friends and family. In 2007, an Advisory Board of mental health professionals was established to assist with the cause. Dave possessed extraordinary intelligence and intellectual curiosity, traits that were complemented by his humor, selflessness, and generosity. The Foundation seeks to emulate these aspects of Dave’s personality in its effort to combat the disease of depression and prevent the unnecessary loss of life through suicide.
The mission of the Foundation is to raise awareness about the prevalence of depression and to inform people of the signs and symptoms of illness, and the possibilities for effective treatment. Guided by an advisory board made up of distinguished clinicians, counselors, physicians, and researchers, we initially worked to identify and support existing organizations focused on goals similar to ours, and indeed have already raised and distributed over $35,000 in restricted grants. Our grant recipients, including TeenScreen, Families for Depression Awareness, and Active Minds, have achieved tangible, quantifiable results—lives saved because of our support.
The Foundation, comprised solely of volunteers, has worked extremely hard to reduce the stigma of depression and prevent suicide through its support of established organizations and its own direct advocacy. Sadly, suffering such as Dave Nee’s is common, especially in the legal profession:
On average, 80 Americans die by suicide each day;
Roughly 90% of suicides result from depression or another treatable mental illness;
Lawyers are 3.6 times more likely than any other occupational group to suffer from depression; and
40% of law students claim to feel some level of depression by the time they graduate from law school.
A principal reason for the high suicide rate in the United States is a lack of candid discussion about depression and early treatment of the disease. Further, too few suffering adolescents are aware of the available options for treatment and recovery. We hope to spread the message that depression and thoughts of harming oneself need not be a stigma, and that in an overwhelming number of cases treatment is a safe, effective way to improve one’s quality of life.
Uncommon Counsel: We founded our Uncommon Counsel program in 2008 to fight depression and prevent suicide among law students by correcting misconceptions associated with depression and educating law students about the available resources and the benefits of treatment. We have enlisted the assistance of our expert Advisory Board to help us explore the ways in which depression affects law students and law schools. Our charter law school partner for Uncommon Counsel is Fordham University School of Law, with whom we have worked closely and ensured that our efforts reach every law student at the school. Additionally, we have given talks and participated in panel discussions at
The Queens Bar Association
New York Law School
Duke University School of Law
Why Is this Important? Attorneys have the highest rates of depression and suicide of any profession. Few talk about the problem – even fewer lawyers do. Statistics suggest that the rate of suicide attempts among attorneys and their clients is increasing as the effects of the recession widen. It is urgent that law students and attorneys who exhibit the warning signs for suicide get the help they need.
Gala Details:
Event tickets will cost $175-$300; a discounted ticket of $125 will be offered to law students. The fundraiser will be attended by over 300 guests (established professionals, aged 30 and up).
By supporting the Dave Nee Foundation you will:
- Increase name recognition and/or brand awareness with many professionals in a variety of industries
- Provide members of your organization an opportunity to hear more about the Dave Nee Foundation and learn how they can become involved or help a friend/associate in need
- Contribute to, and be associated with, a worthwhile and necessary cause