Alanis Morissette and Melissa McCarthy to star at gala for Glenn Close’s mental health nonprofit

Music icon Alanis Morissette will join Oscar-nominated star Melissa McCarthy and a lineup of other performers at a gala in San Francisco Wednesday night to benefit Bring Change to Mind, the nonprofit co-founded by Glenn Close to end stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness.

The 10th annual Revels and Revelations fundraiser for Bring Change to Mind (BC2M) takes place Wednesday night at Bimbo’s 365 Club in San Francisco. The lineup features musical and comedy performances by Morissette, musician Andy Grammer and comedian Jay Pharoah.

Morissette has been candid over the years about her experience with depression and anxiety. “Jagged Little Pill,” a jukebox musical based on hit songs from her catalogue, is currently playing in San Francisco at the Golden Gate Theatre through Nov. 6.

The program for Revels and Revelations culminates with McCarthy receiving the organization’s Robin Williams Legacy of Laughter Award for contributions to comedy over her 20-year career, which includes Academy Award-nominated turns in the films “Bridesmaids” and “Can You Ever Forgive Me.” Close and actor Erich Bergen will host the event.

Tickets are still available for the gala — at a cost of $1,000 per person. Money raised from the event will help support BC2M, a San Francisco-based national organization “dedicated to encouraging dialogue about mental health, and to raising awareness, understanding and empathy.” Close founded the nonprofit in 2010 after her sister, Jessie, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and her nephew, Calen Pick, with schizoaffective disorder.

Much of BC2M’s work focuses on its High School Program, said executive director Pamela Harrington. BC2M provides evidence-based training and funding to student-led clubs in high schools, wherein teens promote mental health in a way that is relevant to them and to their peers. Students may organize a campaign to help peers learn more about eating disorders or to take care of their health the stress of finals.

Since its launch in the fall 2015, the initiative has expanded to include clubs in more than 450 high schools, with12,000 student members across the wider Bay Area, Southern California, Arizona, Indiana, the Northeast and New York City’s Tri-State Area.

In addition to Revels & Revelation, BC2M will present other events this fall in the Bay Area, including its 7th annual High School Student Summit at Oakland’s Uptown Station on Nov. 5. The group will host more than 200 teenagers from 75 Northern California schools, who can learn about mental health from experts, influencers, youth leaders and individuals with lived experience.

Harrington said the work of stigma-busting mental health organizations like BC2M has had an impact on how people talk about mental illness in the United States, especially in the past few years when the COVID-19 pandemic forced many people to come to terms with anxiety, depression and isolation.

“For the first time, we’ve seen a reduction in stigma and anxiety around depression,” said Harrington, adding that BC2M conducts studies to measure the public’s attitudes and behavior around mental illness.

“I think there is a great level of empathy and compassion in most sectors.”

Unfortunately, she said, there remains “a tremendous amount of stigma” around more serious conditions, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

On the other hand, Harrington is encouraged by the way that people in the younger generation have learned they don’t need to feel shame if they are struggling mentally or emotionally.

“Students don’t have reservations around saying, ‘I need help’ or ‘I need to talk to somebody,’” Harrington said. “We really see that this new generation is remarkably well versed in how to ask for help and how to have these conversations.”

What the organization also has noticed is that teens who participate in their clubs “teach up” to their teachers and parents about mental illness. “These young people are sophisticated and motivated,” Harrington said. “They are truly inspirational. We’re in good hands when they grow up.”

Revels and Revelations: Gala fundraiser for Bring Change to Mind. 

When: Oct. 19, 6:30 p.m. cocktail reception; 7:30 p.m., dinner, program and entertainment

Where: Bimbo’s 365 Club, 1025 Columbus Ave., San Francisco

Tickets: Start at $1,000.  Event details, sponsorship and ticket information can be found on the BC2M website.