TV Veteran Brings a River Oaks Luncheon to Tears: Fighting Mental Illness with Hope

By Shelby Hodge // Sep 27, 2017

Photography Jenny Antill Clifton

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Emmy Award winner John Tesh talks the talk at re:Mind luncheon.

Elizabeth Jefers, Mary Collins, Marie Louise Kinder

David Kinder

Joanie Haley, Mary Catherine Sharman, Gwen Hanna

Jack Selber, Phyllis & Steven Segal

Jessica Johnston, Emily Schott, Jackie Callies, Jackie Macha, Amanda Harris

Kristi Copper, John Tesh, Candice Neuner, Cynthia Canevaro

Kristi Oldham, Sushma Yalamanchili, Katherine Murphy

LeAnn Levering, Jo Ann Levering, Janice & Allan King

LIndsay Hyman, Sheri Bailey, Brooke Robertson

Mary Kristen Valentine, Tom Brown, Peggy Roe

Sushila Mathew, Dessi Mathew, Dr. John Stephens, Dr. Sanjay Mathew, M.D.

What: re:Mind “Help, Hope, Healing” luncheon

Where: River Oaks Country Club

PC Moment: There were actually two moments to this very moving luncheon. The first came when David Kinder, re-Mind board member and husband of luncheon co-chair Marie Louise Kinder, discussed his family’s experience with mental illness. The second came with guest speaker John Tesh’s perspective on mental health and his drive to persevere in the face of metastatic prostate cancer (now in remission). The musician (eight million records sold) and TV host (six-time Emmy winner) delivered a speech that elicited both tears and laughter — and applause when he announced a donation to the non-profit in honor of his doctor.

Formerly Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, the renaming of the organization was announced via video played before the gathering of more than 330 mental health advocates, supporters and friends.

Who: Luncheon chairs Elizabeth Jeffers and Marie Louise Kinder, re:Mind president and CEO Mary Collins, John Jeffers, Phyllis and Jack Selber, Joanie and Don Haley, Cynthia Canevaro, Dessi and Sanjay Mathew, Maureen Hackett, James Jennings, Jo Ann Levering, Carolyn Light, and Katherine and Paul Murphy.