Performance by Tony Award Winner Jennifer Holliday

Special Appearances by Jimmy Smits, Judd Apatow and Melissa Rivers

Culver City, Calif. (April 26, 2021) –  Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, a renowned leader in whole-person mental health care and suicide prevention, will host its inaugural Mental Health Is Health experience streaming on Thursday, May 26 at 6:30 PM PDT. Attendance is free with registration.

Didi Hirsch, which started and led a national movement to erase the stigma of mental illness 25 years ago, is now partnering on the launch of a new movement to ensure that mental health care is as universally accessible and paid for as physical health care. Whether someone has asthma or ADHD, diabetes or depression, breast cancer or bipolar disorder should not determine their ability to get help. 

The broadcast will provide an unforgettable experience through entertainment, wellbeing tips, advocacy strategy, inspiring stories, and recognition of Didi Hirsch’s 2021 Mental Health Is Health Ambassadors – Selena Gomez, Bebe Rexha and Headspace. As part of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, the event emphasizes the inseparable mind-body connection known to scientists for decades but largely ignored until COVID-19 exacerbated the nation’s mental health crisis. The event will include a performance by Tony-Award winner Jennifer Holliday and special appearances by Jimmy Smits, Judd Apatow, and Melissa Rivers, a Didi Hirsch board member.

The Mental Health Is Health experience is produced by Tony Award winner Scott Mauro/Scott Mauro Entertainment, Inc., and written by 6 time Emmy Award winner Bruce Vilanch.

About Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services:

Didi Hirsch has been a leader in whole-person mental health care and suicide prevention for nearly 80 years. Our welcoming, culturally sensitive services put diverse children, adults, and families at the center as we respond to their complex health and human needs. Best-in-class outpatient care and residential facilities help those struggling with mental illness or substance use heal with dignity. Our Via Avanta home is one of the nation’s first where mothers can receive treatment and job training while living with their babies and young children – a whole-family approach keeping kids out of the foster system and mothers on the road to recovery so generations can thrive.

Didi Hirsch is also home to the nation’s first and most comprehensive Suicide Prevention Center, a recognized global leader in crisis care quality and innovation. The Center’s multilingual, 24/7 crisis lines field calls, chats, and texts for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the national Disaster Distress Helpline, Teen Line, LAUSD Line, and Crisis Chat, among others. It also provides suicide-specialized individual and family therapy, support groups for teens and adults who’ve lost someone to suicide, and support groups for adults who’ve survived an attempt. Didi Hirsch partners on suicide prevention research with top academic institutions, and trains thousands of students, teachers, mental health professionals, law enforcement officers and first responders to save lives each year. Annually, Didi Hirsch serves 160,000 children, adults, and families in 10 locations and 120 schools.