Help Me Help Them: Let's Destigmatize Mental Health
I am trying to fund a social media campaign by sending postcards all over the world.
Project Description
I am a clinical psychologist with a self-help book on happiness that will be released in the next month. Ironically, I spend most of my day talking about unhappiness, since the majority of my patients are suicidal teenagers. But, quite often I encounter well-meaning parents who encourage their suffering child to keep depression a secret. And to keep suicidal thoughts a secret.
The problem is that secrets imply shame, which means the emotional load just got a lot heavier. Secrets also promote isolation, creating a lonely barrier between loved ones and professionals who may have been potentially helpful.
On March 20th, 2020, I want to spread a message about suicide prevention awareness and the need to destigmatize mental health. I have ordered thousands of these post cards because I have this dream of flooding social media with images of people all around the world holding this postcard and using the hashtag #10StepsEndTheStigma.
The response I have gotten so far has been amazing. People from all over the world are sending their address, awaiting their postcard, and eager to support this dream of mine. My heart is so damn full.
But I need your help. I can't do it alone.
I am here because I want to raise money to spread this important message. The money you donate will go towards shipping costs. As it turns out...A heck of a lot of people in the UK are mental health advocates. Which is fantastic. And expensive.
If you or someone you know has struggled with mental illness, please donate to this cause. If your teenage years were difficult, please donate to this cause. If you have mourned a celebrity who has taken his or her own life, or admired some distant stranger for being brave enough to share his or her own struggle -- please donate to this cause.
I have this idea that if one person out there who is suffering sees this social media message and feels less alone, then we have made a difference.
Updates
The Project FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
- But, you're a doctor, and you're asking for money?
- I am a psychologist. A part time psychologist and a full-time mom. I also take insurance, because I think it is important to provide care for everyone, not just those who can afford to spend $175 for a 45 minute session. (Also, I'm not bold enough to charge $175 a session.)
- $7,000 is a really random amount of money to set as a goal. Why?
- Excellent question. I did the math. Actually, a dear friend of mine did the math. My math is atrocious. Legit, atrocious. I spent $2,000 making the postcards, $5,000 on the printing of this book, and -- by my friend's estimate -- it will cost me roughly $10,000 to mail this stuff all over the world. (Side Note: The UK has an *absurdly* confusing postal-addressing process for this dumb American. Oh, and Canada? What's up with the absurdly late summer sunsets?) The truth is, I wrote this book with the understanding that I was doing so to fulfill a childhood dream -- not to make money. But my loss can only be so great before it impacts my family and -- frankly -- my ability to continue to take insurance and provide a sliding scale for my patients who don't have insurance. I can eat $3,000 to save 3 lives. Hell, I can eat $3,000 to save one life. That's how i came up with this random fundraising number.
- How does someone "accidentally" end up specializing in teen suicide?
- Thirteen months ago a recent high school graduate in the town adjacent to mine jumped in front of a train. Three weeks later there was another. And then another. My voicemail was suddenly filled by the concerned parents of teens. I was terrified. But, as I sat with these teens who spoke of thoughts and ideas of suicide, these teens who lacked a solid plan, or a totally unrealistic plan, or who really just wanted to muse about a different, less painful future, I realized -- I could hold their thoughts, their fears, and their fantasies without terror. You see, I was raised with a relative who treated suicide attempts like some people treat knitting, or golf. A hobby to indulge in and think little about after. It. Sucked. But it also made me more resilient, and less reactionary. And so...sometimes it all makes much more sense looking backwards, rather than going through it.
- How do I know you're not secretly using the money for wine?
- I prefer single malt whiskey.
- How can I help you?
- If you can't afford to donate your money to my cause, please donate your kindness to someone you know who may be suffering, or at the very least may need someone to check in on them to make sure they are okay. To tell them they matter. To remind them that someone out there is thinking about them.
I am more than happy to air your advertisement for 3 consecutive episodes
Just Because I Care
Making a difference in the lives of so many.
Rewards
I am more than happy to air your advertisement for 3 consecutive episodes
Just Because I Care
Making a difference in the lives of so many.