Author shares mental health knowledge

Julie A. Fast, author of several books on mental health issues and a consultant for the Showtime series “Homeland,” shared her expertise at a recent fundraiser for Skyland Trail.

Fast’s works include the titles “Loving Someone With Bipolar Disorder,” “Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder” and “Get It Done When You’re Depressed.” She helped inform Claire Danes’ character, Carrie Mathison, a counterterrorism expert who battles both national security threats and bipolar disorder.

“The threat is real for her as a person struggling with this disorder, and America is intensely vulnerable to Al Qaeda’s threat,” Danes told The New York Times in a 2011 interview about the show. “The threat is real in both cases.”

Fast’s keynote remarks, focusing on how communities can support people with bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety or schizophrenia, were among the highlights of the recent Skyland Trail function, held last month at Cherokee Town Club. More than 250 supporters enjoyed lunch and a fashion show presented by Tootsies that included pieces from guest designer Hilton Hollis.

The event was coordinated by Skyland Trail Associates, the organization’s auxiliary group of fundraising volunteers. Nan Easterlin is president and Nancy Caswell is vice president of Skyland Trail Associates. Beth Finnerty is president and CEO of Skyland Trail.

The event’s sponsors included Georgia Commerce Bank, Sons Automotive Group, VeinInnovations, Dr. Anna Paré, Whole Foods Market of Buckhead and James Hurley Designs.

Patron sponsors included Easterlin, Kelly Loeffler, Betsy West, Duvall Fuqua and Amy Kreisler.

Table hosts included Nancy Bryant, Caswell, Mary Virginia Coffman, Mary Dillon, Mary Frances Garrett, Melissa Lowe, Angie Major, Kim Marks, Sue McKinley, Patricia Nalle, Beth Park, Leigh Pollard, Edie Poplin, Patty Reid, Denise Rezek, Michelle Sullivan, Stephanie Teichner, Sarah Tripodi, Brooke Weinmann and Leslie Wierman.

Skyland Trail is a nonprofit mental health organization offering residential and day treatment programs that help adults with mental illness pursue productive, independent lives. For information: skylandtrail.org.

CONTRIBUTED BY KIMBERLY LINK Beth Park (from left), Sarah Tripodi and Shannon Dixon attended the 2015 Skyland Trail fundraiser. More than 250 supporters were at the event.