The Staglin Family Announces Major Strides, Funding at 18th Annual Music Festival for Mental Health

Over 80 Wineries and Chefs Nancy Oakes, Matt Molina and Nancy Silverton Provide the Best in Food & Wine for a Great Cause Attendees Enjoy Special Performance by Jermaine Jackson

RUTHERFORD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On September 15, the 18th Annual Music Festival for Mental Health at Staglin Family Vineyard announced the International Mental Health Research Organization (IMHRO) and One Mind for Research campaigns have raised approximately $6.1 million in cash and in-kind contributions to help support pioneering mental health research. Leveraged funds provided to scientists as a result of IMHRO's initial research funding from festival proceeds reached approximately $4.7 million in 2011/2012, bringing the combined 18-year total in direct and leveraged funds to approximately $146 million to date.

“Our momentum continues to accelerate, and along with our work with One Mind for Research, and a partnership of outstanding scientists and researchers, we believe more than ever that these answers and cures are possible in our lifetime”

IMHRO has become the nation’s leading private-public mental health organization dedicated to curing depression, schizophrenia, and bi-polar illness and focusing on issues including funding, research, and anti-stigma.

Co-hosts Shari and Garen Staglin, along with children Brandon and Shannon, and Congressman Patrick Kennedy, and One Mind CEO, General Pete Chiarelli, USA (Ret.) addressed attendees, including donors, scientists, government officials and friends. Dignitaries included Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) and Congressman John Garamendi (CA-10).

Symposium keynote speaker Jeffrey Lieberman, M.D, Chair of Psychiatry at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons was followed with presentations by the 2012 Johnson & Johnson/IMHRO Rising Star Award winners Drs. Colleen McClung and Scott Russo.

R&B superstar Jermaine Jackson and his band entertained more than 450 guests with a performance on the intimate Staglin Music Festival stage.

Nearly 80 world-class wineries, including Abreu Vineyard, Bond Estate, Bryant Family, Colgin Cellars, Cora, Favia, Futo, Harlan Estate, Ovid, Pisoni, Scarecrow, Screaming Eagle, Staglin Family Vineyard, Williams Selyem, and more, poured their finest vintages, paired with passed hors d'oeuvres by Chef Nancy Oakes of Boulevard Restaurant in San Francisco.

Celebrated chefs Nancy Silverton and Matt Molina from Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles, prepared a four-course dinner, paired with Krug Champagne, Staglin Family Vineyard wines, vintage port and cigars.

“Reaching the $146 million mark is an important step, allowing us to fund the research towards our goal of finding answers to and cures for brain diseases," said Garen Staglin. “Our momentum continues to accelerate, and along with our work with One Mind for Research, and a partnership of outstanding scientists and researchers, we believe more than ever that these answers and cures are possible in our lifetime," Staglin added.

Donations to the Music Festival for Mental Health may be made on-line at www.music-festival.org, www.1mind4research.org or by sending a check to IMHRO, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that sponsors the Music Festival. Please mail donations to: P.O. Box 680, Rutherford, Calif., 94573.

For further information, please email [e-mail] or visit www.imhro.org, or www.1mind4research.org.

Photos available upon request