Celebrity Television Host, Designer Shared Personal Mental Health Struggles.
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Celebrity Tim Gunn just proved he’s a master of not only fashion, design, and reality television, but accomplishing something that few have ever accomplished. Silencing a group of more than 600 people in Boca Raton. Gunn served as the keynote speaker at the Ruth and Norman Rales Jewish Family Services Annual Reflections of Hope Luncheon at Boca West Country Club. JFS shared this with BocaNewsNow.com.
>>Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services (Rales JFS) held its annual Reflections of Hope Luncheon on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at Boca West Country Club in Boca Raton. Each year, this event aims to shed a light on mental health and break the stigma surrounding this topic that affects so many. Tim Gunn served as keynote speaker, sharing his personal journey with mental health and the rode to healing.
With more than 625 guests in attendance, the ballroom immediately became silent as he spoke openly about the challenges he faced as a teen and young adult. His message was to seek out the people you trust and do not be ashamed or scared to ask for help. He acknowledged that while he had support from his family, a psychiatrist, coupled with counseling, saved his life. Several attendees approached Tim in tears after he spoke, expressing their appreciation for his candor and authenticity.
Event Co-Chair, Joanna Drowos stated, “It was so powerful to have more than 600 caring members of our community come together to eliminate the stigma and raise funds for crucial mental health services for our community. Tim Gunn delivered a powerful message on the importance of asking for help, and of knowing that you are not alone. Jewish Family services provides lifesaving services and support to all members of our community regardless of age, background or financial ability.”
Danielle Hartman, President & CEO of Rales JFS shared, “When we need help, we ask a friend for a therapist recommendation. We don’t think twice about the cost or whether our insurance covers it. But that’s not the case for everyone. In 2024, Rales JFS provided over 9,700 sessions of counseling, psychiatry, and psychological testing. Half of those sessions required financial assistance.”
While the Reflections of Hope Luncheon aims to break the stigma surrounding mental health, it also serves as an appeal to the community for their support. Rales JFS intends to neve turn anyone away due to financial hardships, so the support from the community will go a long way to ensure that anyone who needs these services can receive them.<<
