Demi Lovato Honored At Open Mind Gala

The Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA held its biannual Open Mind Gala on March 22nd at the Beverly Hilton in support of mental health research, education, and clinical care programs at UCLA.

The Open Mind Gala, which was sponsored by both The Friends of the Semel Institute and the UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital Board of Directors, raised over $900,000 for the cause.

The Open Mind Gala honored three leaders in business, education, and entertainment, for their work in advancing the fields of neuroscience and mental health. Demi Lovato received the Artistic Award of Courage from CAST Centers CEO Mike Bayer for her inspirational leadership, passion, and advocacy in using her platform to heroically speak out about mental health in order to reduce stigma, raise awareness, and help others. Julia S. Gouw accepted the Humanitarian Award, in memory of Dr. Lori Altshuler, from Dr. Peter Whybrow for her deep commitment to improving the lives of those with mental illness through humanitarian efforts and philanthropy. Dr. Kelsey Martin was honored with the Visionary Award, presented to her by Chancellor Gene Block, for her outstanding visionary work in the fields of mental health and neuroscience. Actress Lisa Kudrow hosted the event, while singer-songwriter Chord Overstreet took the stage with his guitar in hand to perform “Homeland” and his new single “Hold On.”

Attendees included Vicky Goodman (Founder and President of The Friends of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior at UCLA), Dr. Nancy Glaser (Founding Chair of The Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital Board of Advisors), event co-chairs Margot Calabrese, Alexandra Dwek, Beth Karmin, and Dana Pachulski, UCLA’s Dr. Michael Gitlin, Dr. Andrew Leuchter, and Dr. Thomas Strouse, along with Dan Bucatinsky, Courteney Cox, Diane Keaton, Andrea and Peter Roth, Jane Semel, Luke Walton, UCLA Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Scott Waugh, and more.