SNF Nostos

STAVROS NIARCHOS FOUNDATION

Louisa Benton


VP & Executive Director
Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF)

The main goal of the U.S. non-profit Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF) is to spur research into the biological basis of depression in order to find better treatments and an actual physical diagnosis.  Louisa works closely with HDRF’s team of top brain scientists, the Depression Task Force, to put complex science into clear and accurate language for the general public. She also focuses on creating programs to raise community awareness and mental health literacy for parents and teens across the country.  This involves bringing scientists and other experts to Town-Hall type forums, where they engage students in dialogue on topics like social media and bullying and mental health.  Louisa has a dual degree in History and Science from Harvard University, and a Masters in Journalism & International Affairs from Columbia University.  As a journalist, she has written features for the Miami HeraldSt. Petersburg Times, and the New York Times