Todd Petriscak
May 11, 1960-January 25, 2016
In May 2016, Founder and Executive Director Sean Brennan announced the first day of Mental Health Awareness Month. That Brain Food Garden Project’s pilot garden would be named in memory of his wonderfully loving and supportive friend Todd Petriscak, who lost his battle with bipolar on Jan. 25, 2016.
Todd and Sean both met and became fast friends while under psychiatric care in the inpatient unit at Metropolitan Community Hospital. Todd became one of Brain Food Garden Projects' earliest champions. His support and council ultimately contributed to the concept of making the Brain Food Garden Project a peer-led organization. And inspired Sean to seek out further educational opportunities to become an NYS Mental Health Peer Advocate. Todd’s deep appreciation and passion for science also led to our 5th mission statement goal to "Advocate, promote, and support research projects trying to better understand the connection between food and mental health."