The Son of a Famous Actress Shares Her Bipolar Disorder in Houston

Inside Patty Duke’s Struggle

By Shelby Hodge // May 7, 2018

Photography Jenny Antill Clifton

1/0

Deborah Duncan, Sean Astin

Ginger Blanton, Doug Richnow, Nikki Richnow

Leila Gilbert, Chuck Willits, Elaine Finger

Jack Neblett, chair Kathy Neblett, Sean Astin

Michael Garofalo, Judson Robinson III

Lela & Robin Gibbs, Laura Kissel

Chrissy & Mike Doherty

Chris Huston, Jennifer Hovas

Jan Talbert, Gaile Withers, Barbara Robertson, Kate Scott

Letty Knapp, Don Howell, Melissa Moss

Kim Bush, Lauren Maloy

Jacqueline Kinloch, Cheryl Benefield

Tio Suman, Anne Suman, Anne Frischkorn, David Frischkorn

Katrina Rufino, Elizabeth McIngvale, Allison Squire

Linda Burger, Joan Alexander

Carol Lee, F. Allen Lyons

Debi Strong

What: The Menninger Clinic annual luncheon

Where: The Westin Galleria

PC Moment: Whether it was former Menninger patient Debi Strong sharing her story of attempted suicide and recovery at Menninger or actor Sean Astin discussing late actress Patty Duke’s (his mother) battle with bipolar disorder, the midday fundraiser was sobering and inspirational. Emcee Channel 11 CBS personality Deborah Duncan deftly moved the on-stage conversation to Astin’s concluding advice to family members and friends who have loved ones with mental illness: Protect yourself and have faith in your community.

Some 450 mental health supporters joined the event that raised $350,000 to support the clinic that is ranked among the top three psychiatric hospitals in the country. The event honored the Hamill Foundation with the hospital’s Vital Balance Award accepted by the foundation’s grants director Tom Brown.

Key to the luncheon were chair Kathy Neblett, Menninger interim president and CEO Tony Gaglio, board chair Jeff Paine and Menninger Clinic Foundation board chair Vivie O’Sullivan.

Who: Ginger Blanton, Linda Jones, Cyndy Garza Roberts, Jennie Hull, Bess and Rob Wilson, Melanie Gray, Dr. Kathy Flanagan, Gaile Withers, Charlie Read, Becky Joy, and Michael Hanson Jr.