Blog entries

FST OPENS 2012 Mainstage with Pulitzer Prize-winning "next to normal"

elizabeth — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:16:06 +0100

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Danae DeShazer
Public Relations Manager
(941) 366 – 9017 ext. 338
ddeshazer@floridastudiotheatre.org
DATE: October 19, 2011

FST OPENS 2012 Mainstage with Pulitzer Prize-winning "next to normal"
(Sarasota, FL) —Florida Studio Theatre presents the Southeastern Regional Premiere of the contemporary rock musical Next to Normal. Next to Normal is an emotional powerhouse of a musical about a suburban American family trying to takRead More...

Sunshine from Darkness Honors Two Locals with the Diamond and Heart of Gold Awards

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 18:42:25 +0100

Sunshine from Darkness Honors Two Locals with the Diamond and Heart of Gold Awards
at the Diamonds in the Rough Mental Awareness Luncheon

[March 25, 2011 – Sarasota, FL] On Thursday, March 24, 2011 Sunshine from Darkness, the Sarasota-based nonprofit organization that raises funds for brain research, honored two local individuals with the Diamond Award and, for the first year, The Heart of Gold Award, at the annual Diamonds in the Rough Luncheon. Read More...

Join us to run or walk for mental health awareness!

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 18:29:28 +0100

Coming in April is the Third Annual Siesta Key Beach 5KRun/Walk for Mental Health Awareness! Sunshine From Darkness is a proud supporter of this annual event, kicking off at 7:30 a.m. on Sun., April 16.

Registration starts at 6:30 a.m. at the Siesta Beach Pavilion. You may also pick up registration packets in advance at Fit2Run from AprilRead More...

We support the Treating Schizophrenia conference in April

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 22:55:25 +0100

We here at Sunshine From Darkness are proud to support other organizations locally, nationally and internationally that correlate to our mission of raising both awareness and funds for mental illness and research.

Coming in April is the Treating Schizophrenia 2011 conference put on by MA Healthcare April 14 and 15 at the Institute of Physics Read More...

World figure skating champions send-off performance

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 21:44:50 +0100

Join Sunshine from Darkness and the Ellenton Ice & Sports Complex [5309 29th Street, East Ellenton] from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Sat., March 12, to give a special world championship send-off to the 2011 U.S. silver medal winners and Olympic figure skating duo Mark Ladwig and Amanda Evora.

The team will depart to compete for the WorRead More...

Our 2011 Diamonds in the Rough luncheon featuring Linda Larsen

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 06:00:00 +0100

On Thursday, March 24, we will raise awareness for mental health at our annual Diamonds in the Rough Luncheon at Michael’s On East (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.).

The gathering includes an inspiring speaker, a raffle for an exquisite Akoya Keshi and Tahitian Pearl necklace and the second annual Diamond Award to honor an individRead More...

Join us for a free champagne party: Baubles & Bubbles!

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:54:29 +0100

Please join us for the kick off party for our annual "Diamonds in the Rough" Mental Awareness Luncheon, Baubles & Bubbles, sponsored by The Golden Image Jewelry Store and MK Designs.

Baubles & Bubbles will take place at The Golden Image (30 S. Palm Ave.) from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wed., March 2. This free event will feature door prizes, a raffle for two Read More...

What if...

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 19:21:03 +0100

What if the tragic event that occurred in Tucson was caused by a person with a serious mental disorder characterized by disturbed behavior, mood and thought. That disorder is called schizophrenia. Symptoms usually start between the ages of 16 and 30. It is present in all ethnic groups. Both sexes are affected.

Families bear the brunt for a loved one who no longer Read More...

Join us to "Walk for Life"

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 17:18:30 +0100

Sunshine from Darkness is a proud supporter of the eighth annual 5k Manatee Glens Walk for Life event on Sat., Sept. 25. The Walk raises awareness about depression and promotes suicide prevention. The event also provides support to families and friends who have lost a loved one to suicide.

“DepressionRead More...

Seeking volunteers and heroes to help stop the stigma of mental illness and raise funds to find ...

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 19:46:33 +0100

From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 22, Sunshine From Darkness is hosting an evening of cocktails and inspiration at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota for anyone interested in learning more about SFD activities and the many opportunities to “Be a Hero.”

There is no cost for the event, but reservations are requested by contacting Marlene Hauck at (941) 504-671Read More...

2011 Symposium speaker: Elaine Walker, Ph.D.

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Our final speaker at the 2011 Journey to Wellness Symposium will be Elaine Walker, Ph.D. delivering a talk titled “Adolescent Development and Mental Health: Hormones, Genes and the Brain.”

The developmental trajectory leading to serious mental disorders typically involves escalating behavioral dysfunction during adolescence, and then the emergence of cRead More...

2011 Symposium moderator: Dr. Andrew Cutler, M.D.

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Dr. Andrew Cutler, M.D. will be returning as moderator of our free annual Journey to Wellness Symposium, taking place this year on Sat., Jan. 8, 2011, featuring several speakers discussing mental health issues.

Dr. Cutler is currently a Courtesy Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Florida, and has been Principal Investigator (PI) on over 300 psychiRead More...

2011 Symposium speaker: Susan Voglmaier, M.D., Ph.D.

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:26:49 +0100

Our free annual Journey to Wellness Symposium will take place on Sat., Jan. 8, 2011 and feature several speakers discussing mental health issues. The first will be Susan Voglmaier, M.D., Ph.D. presenting a speech called “Lighting Up Brain Pathways: New Ways of Understanding Mental Illness:”

Right now you are reading an articlRead More...

2011 Symposium Luminary Award Recipient: Dorothy Hamill

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:06:25 +0100

Sunshine from Darkness is honored to bestow our 2011 Luminary Award upon Olympic figure skater Dorothy Hamill.

In the public's eyes, skater Dorothy Hamill was "America's sweetheart." In 1976, she was the perky 19-year-old with the famous hairdo — "the wedge" — who won an Olympic gold medal for her dazzling figure skating aRead More...

Meet our first Diamond Award recipients: the Kreisman family

Sat, 29 May 2010 23:12:47 +0100

“It was a Tuesday afternoon… about 2 o’clock. I was standing in my kitchen when I got the call. I will never forget that day” says Dorothy Kreisman when asked about her daughter’s illness. Diane was a sophomore at George WashingRead More...

Free Seminar on Personality Disorders

Tue, 04 May 2010 13:34:51 +0100

We are happy to share information on mental health related events sponsored by our many community partners as part of our mission to increase public awareness about mental health issues.

This Saturday, May 8 from 1 to 3 p.m., Mental Health Community Centers is sponsoring a free seminar on Personality Disorders at Waldemere Auditorium, located at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, 1700 S. Tamiami Trail.

Reserve your seat online by clicking here or by call 953-3477. Continuing education Read More...

Diamonds in the Rough luncheon photographs

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:52:34 +0100

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the first annual Diamonds in the Rough Mental Health Awareness Luncheon at Michael's on East, April 29, 2010.

Event organizers Emily Walsh Parry and Marlene Hauck did a fabulous job putting together an elegant, feel-good luncheon for a great cause. Champagne was served to the many guests who mingled around beautiful white hydrangea centerpieces.

Diamonds in the Rough: A Mental Health Awareness Luncheon

gabriel — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 05:43:31 +0100

11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 29, 2010 at Michael’s On East

“Revealing the Sparkle: 3 secrets that will change your life”
with Beatty Cohan Hosted by SUNSHINE FROM DARKNESS
Benefiting the International Mental Health Organization (IMHRO)

Share some quality time with Beatty as she helps us all dig into the things that might be blockRead More...

3rd Annual Siesta Key Beach 5K Run/Walk for Mental Health Awareness

SFD — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 01:35:08 +0100

We all know someone who is affected by mental health issues. Tribuo, Inc., a local not-for-profit dedicated to giving back to the community and raising mental health awareness, has a healthy and fun way to give hope to those in need: The 3rd annual Siesta Key Beach 5K run/walk for Mental Health Awareness on Saturday, April 17.

Tribuo is happy to welcome back the Read More...

2010 "Journey to Wellness" Symposium Wrap Up

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 06:00:00 +0100

Our annual symposium this year was a great success! The free community education program dubber "Journey to Wellness: Lifelong Recovery from Mental Illness" was from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sat., Jan 9, 2010 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center in Sarasota.

The program featured Dr. Thomas Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health. Insel and the NIMH announced that a trio of genome-wide studies – collectively the largest to date – has pinpointed a vast arRead More...