(ROCKWALL, TX – Sept. 15, 2016) “Let’s start the dialogue.” That was Dr. Rick Lucarelli’s challenge to skippers and participants at the Donna Ross Memorial Regatta held on September 10 and 11 at Lake Ray Hubbard.
“Racing to Raise Mental Health Awareness” was the theme of this year’s regatta. The DRMR was first held in 2012 to honor the life of Dr. Lucarelli’s mother who suffered from depression throughout her life and died unexpectedly in February of 2011.
Lucarelli was a young medical student when he stumbled into Rockwall’s Lake Ray Hubbard and the Chandlers Landing Yacht Club. Because of his passion for sailing and his desire to memorialize his mother, he bought a San Juan 28’ sailboat whom he named Donna Sue after his mother. With her signature stenciled on his boat, Lucarelli began to race on the lake.
Dan and Cindy Malak, co-chairs of the regatta, remembered Rick very well. Cindy shared how she got involve with the regatta.
“I got involved once I met Rick. His passion and enthusiasm for the cause was infectious. As a mother I was touched that a young man would commit himself to honor his mother in such a meaningful way. He had a lot on his plate at the time. He was finishing medical school and beginning his internship, yet he did the majority of the work to pull the first regatta together. How could I not help him?” said Cindy.
Cindy also shared a bit about why this cause is very important to her. “I have always felt strongly about mental health issues. My mother was a recovered alcoholic. Alcoholism and mental health have a lot of similarities in how they affect both the lives of those afflicted and the people who love them. I’ve seen first-hand how these conditions can devastate a family and how proper treatment can help a family heal. Helping Rick with the regatta has been an honor.”
There is much stigma attached to the topic of mental illness. Mental Health America of Greater Dallas (mhadallas.org) states that the problem of stigma and the lack of social inclusion is a terrible injustice. Stigma is the largest single barrier to mental health treatment – it keeps people with severe mental illness isolated and presents challenges to anyone seeking to improve their mental health. But it’s not always from other people. Self-stigma is also a concern for many people struggling with mental health issues.
As a kid, Lucarelli felt isolated regarding his mother’s illness. Keeping this family secret allowed fears to plague him—fear of his friends finding out; fear of what was going to happen in the future, and others. Why should anyone have to carry this burden alone?
In his efforts to raise funds for the regatta and its cause, Lucarelli shared with peers but quickly found that many professionals fail to seek treatment out of fear that it might have an impact on their careers and future promotions. Sadly, many are not ready to talk about their struggles.
Nevertheless, this year Lucarelli had several people approach him to share their personal stories and why the regatta was so important to them. “Those personal stories drive me; and helped me conclude that this is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. It is a huge unmet need.”
“At least we started the dialogue!” These words are not without action, as the next step will be to meet with county officials, stakeholders and Matt Roberts (President of Mental Health America of Greater Dallas) to discuss the mental health needs in the Rockwall County. Funds raised will be used for educational trainings in our area.
Sail on and keep the conversation going. Until next year!
Story by contributing writer Enid Reyes. Sailing photos by Phil McBride.
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