Raising awareness of mental illness and brain diseases and disorders through education of people to reduce the stigma and connect sufferers with existing resources for help. I have several family members or close friends that have died by suicide or have attempted it one or more times. I have family members that struggle with mental health issues and the judgement and embarrassment of "people finding out." At one point in my 30's, I was hearing a teenager describe her reason for attempting suicide and her continued despair. She had done some really bad things in her younger teens. She was trying to turn her life around, but she felt like every attempt she made, met with her parent's disapproval and constant expectation she would mess up again. She knew her parents did not trust her and she felt like they never would. In total embarrassment of her mistakes and the apparent futility of even trying to improve, she said "My parents hate me and will never forget or forgive me for my past mistakes. I have no reason to live." I looked at her and said, "then GO FIND ONE. Just one thing, today, is all you need. Maybe it is the green grass, or the blue sky. The ocean or the feel of the breeze on your skin. You just need one thing right now. Tomorrow, find another thing. You only need ONE each day." When things get tough and you want to quit...just GO FIND ONE. Let it be enough!
