On June 1 , 2013 , siblings Libby Mascaro and Samuel Kane lost their mother , Mary Lou , to suicide . Mary Lou had battled bipolar disorder for 25 years , and had continually suffered from the stigma that often accompanies mental illness .
Following their mother ’ s death , Mascaro and Kane pledged to use their tragic loss as a platform to help eradicate the fear and shame often tied to mental illnesses like schizophrenia , bipolar disorder , anxiety and depression .
“ When she died , I vowed that I would help try to end the stigma associated with mental illness , because no single person should have to suffer not only from their actual illness , but also from the abandonment that can occur ,” says Mascaro , 39 , of Upper St . Clair .
They channeled their determination into action . While at a National Alliance on Mental Illness conference in 2014 , Mascaro asked if a gala had ever been held in Pittsburgh solely for mental health awareness .
“ The general consensus was that there had not been one in Pittsburgh . So , we decided then and there we were going to do it ,” says Mascaro .
After a year of planning , Pittsburgh ’ s first annual Green Light Gala was held on Dec . 1 at the Heinz History Center . The event ’ s mission : to raise awareness that mental illness is both common and treatable , and to eliminate the stigma associated with the disease .
Nearly 300 people attended the gala , which was catered by the Common Plea . The nine-piece Move Makers Band provided entertainment , and a live auction was held for a painting donated by renowned Pittsburgh artist Johno Prascak . Mascaro and Kane co-chaired the event along with NAMI Southwestern PA board member Kathy Testoni .
“ One of our goals was to create an atmosphere of fun and conversation , even though we were discussing a topic that is often hard to talk about ,” says Mascaro .
The gala raised approximately $ 136,000 for NAMI .
“ It was exactly what my sister and I had envisioned — a fun and light evening , centered around a very tough subject ,” adds Kane , 41 , of Mt . Lebanon . “ It was a time for us to see that our mother did not die in vain and that strides are being made to eradicate the archaic and unnecessary stigmas associated with mental illness .”
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