VERO BEACH — The Mental Health Association invites the public to join in for Pathos, Pasta and Pantoliano, on March 21, 2015, at the Vero Beach Museum of Art, featuring award winning actor Joe Pantoliano.
With over 100 film, television, and stage credits to his name, Pantoliano is most well known for his memorable roles in movies like Risky Business, Midnight Run, The Fugitive, The Matrix, and Memento, not to mention the hit HBO series, The Sopranos.
But, “Joey Pants,” as he is affectionately known, is also a leading advocate for mental health education and awareness, intent on “stomping” the stigma of mental illness, and he will be in Vero Beach for dinner and a movie, as well as interactive discussion on this important subject.
The evening will begin at 5 p.m. with a showing of Canvas, a film Pantoliano produced, starred in, and earned an Outstanding Actor Award for, in 2006. This Best Feature Film portrays a family’s struggle with mental illness. Following the movie, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a Gala Italian Dinner catered by Adrienne Drew, will be served in the Holmes Great Hall.
After dinner, Pantoliano will speak about his own personal journey through clinical depression and addiction, which provided his inspiration to create the moving documentary and subsequent non-profit by the same name, “No Kidding, Me too!,” dedicated to promoting mental health and awareness, and removing the stigma of mental illness.
It is the Mental Health Association’s hope that this important educational and entertaining event will help spread the mission and vision of the Mental Health Association, which is to provide immediate access with no barriers to mental health care in Indian River County, by reducing the stigma of mental health issues and increasing community awareness.
For ticket information, please call Patty Vasquez, Fund Development Manager, MHA, at (772) 569-9788, extension 16, or go to the organization’s website at www.mhairc.org. All proceeds benefit the Mental Health Association in Indian River County.