Carrie Fisher to be Honored at Silver Hill Hospital Annual Gala

Silver Hill alumna will speak about her own mental illness and raise scholarship money to help patients who need Silver Hill long-term residential treatment programs

• Tickets are available at the Silver Hill Hospital Gala Benefit Office, 212 843-1741.
• Many local residents are supporters of the Silver Hill Gala, detailed below.

has announced that Carrie Fisher, esteemed author, award winning actress–and former patient of Silver Hill–will be honored at their Gala for her advocacy work on behalf of mental illness. The Gala, Nov. 3 at Cipriani’s 42^nd Street, is a fundraiser to provide financial assistance for individuals who need the Silver Hill long-term residential treatment programs but are without adequate resources to cover the costs. 

 “At least one in five people have a diagnosable mental illness in a given year.  Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can result in shorter, less debilitating illnesses,” says Dr. Sigurd Ackerman, President and Medical Director of Silver Hill. “Ms. Fisher not only overcame her own mental illness, but she speaks so openly that it greatly reduces its stigma and may encourage others to get help. We are privileged to have her as this year’s honoree.”

“I am proof that a mental illness diagnosis need not be life-limiting,” says Fisher. “The program at Silver Hill helped me regain my own mental stability. I am happy to do whatever I can not only to raise awareness, which is critical, but to raise money so that those less fortunate than I can get treatment that can lead to recovery.”

Silver Hill has a two-phase approach for patient care:

• Acute Care is for crisis stabilization and it is typically covered by insurance.

• The Transitional Living Program is the second phase. These are intense psychological and behavioral programs and the minimum stay is four weeks.  Patients and families work together with clinical staff to bring about a true behavior change. Silver Hill believes these long-term programs are essential for successful recovery. Insurance does not cover Transitional Living Programs. 

The Silver Hill Hospital Gala raises money for scholarships for patients who need the Transitional Living Programs but are without resources to cover the cost.

The 2011 Silver Hill Gala enjoys the support of the following individuals:

Honorary Co-Chairs

Michael Cominotto & Dennis Basso

Co-Chairs

Sigurd Ackerman, M.D.President & Medical Director, Silver Hill Hospital, & Cecelia McCarton, M.D.; Carlos & Rosemary Ferrer; Todd Hollander & Natalia Bulgari; Peter & Beverly Orthwein

Vice-Chairs

Lance Lundberg; Elizabeth van Merkensteijn; Sheila Nevins; David & Jieun Wax; Lynne Wheat

Young Professionals Committee

Kate Gibson; Jaime L. Gleicher; Anne R. Kiely; MacLean K. Pilsbury 

Silver Hill Hospital’s 2011 Gala will be held at Cipriani’s 42^nd Street in New York, New York on Nov. 3.

Tickets are available at the Silver Hill Hospital Gala Benefit Office, 212 843-1741.

Carrie Fisher is an award winning actress, novelist, and screenwriter.  Her experiences with addiction and bipolar disorder – and her willingness to speak honestly and candidly about them – have made her a sought after speaker and respected advocate.  She appeared on the California Senate floor, urging state legislators to increase government funding on medication for people living with mental health issues.  Fisher has received dozens of various awards for her courage and commitment to fighting mental illness, and the stigmas that are associated with it.

Fisher has just received an Emmy Award nomination for her documentary Wishful Drinking.  In 2009, she received a Grammy Award nomination in the Best Spoken Word Album category.  In 2009/2010, she was nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance, and the Drama League’s Distinguished Performance Award.  She won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Solo Performance. In 2010 Wishful Drinking was made into a documentary by HBO.

Silver Hill Hospital is a not-for-profit psychiatric hospital in New Canaan, CT with acute crisis stabilization and longer-term residential Transitional Living Programs for those with mental illness. Silver Hill Hospital provides treatment for psychiatric disorders that include addiction, depression, dual disorders and eating disorders. Silver Hill is an academic affiliate of the Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry.