The Mental Fitness Tour
Donation protected
I AM A SUICIDE SURVIVOR. Because of the pervasive stigma, it's taken me far too long to talk about it. We just don't talk about things like that. Now, I'm living to change that! My big goal is to raise $10,000 FOR 10,000... connecting and inspiring hope in 10,000 people by creating safe spaces for life-saving conversations.
I don't take one second of my life for granted. Most of my life I struggled with mental illness and an overwhelming sense that I didn't belong here; the voices in my head encouraged me to do something about that. And I tried. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in our country. With your support, we'll raise 10,000 FOR 10,000 . 1 in 4 struggles with a mental health challenge, that means it touches us all.
When I was 18, I was diagnosed with severe acute depression. A few years after graduating from Stanford University, I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder with psychosis and Panic Attack Disorder. People used to tell me to "Snap out of it!" or "Just get over it!" I was a Stanford grad, NBA Chicago Bulls cheerleader, MBA, and published Random House author. People didn't understand how I could be afflicted with mental illness. 61 million Americans who are experiencing mental illness this year won't be able to just snap out of it. There are 117 suicides each day.
We have to change that! It starts with a conversation. Connecting is Critical!
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“Erika delivers an informed, inspired, and life-affirming testimony on living one’s purpose while managing Bipolar illness. Erika uplifts the human spirit and encourages us to begin a new dialogue on healthy living.” -Lauren M. Walton, Psychiatrist and Chief of Service, Department of Addiction Medicine, Kaiser Permanente
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I'm raising money for the next leg of the tour that will include presentations, workshops and seminars, powerful panel discussions, and community networking that is vital to continuing the life-saving conversations long after the tour. Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York... and more cities are being added. Your support will help to cover costs: event and travel expenses, food, workbook production, marketing materials, and publicity.
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“I wanted to say Thank You for sharing your story. My daughter was diagnosed with anorexia, depression, anxiety in late February early March of this year. She has thoughts of suicide and self-harms. Your story has given me hope that she can and I will say she will overcome what she is going through. Thank you for helping to open my eyes. You are an incredible, beautiful woman! You are an inspiration. Hearing from you has taken some of the worry and weight off of me. Thank you for being strong and sharing your story with others.” -Robyn, CA (A Mother)
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Thank you for supporting the movement to save lives by creating safe spaces for life-saving conversations! $10,000 for 10,000 is the goal and we need you... our lives really do matter!
I love you,
xo, Erika
"And I don't have to know you to love you."
I don't take one second of my life for granted. Most of my life I struggled with mental illness and an overwhelming sense that I didn't belong here; the voices in my head encouraged me to do something about that. And I tried. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in our country. With your support, we'll raise 10,000 FOR 10,000 . 1 in 4 struggles with a mental health challenge, that means it touches us all.
When I was 18, I was diagnosed with severe acute depression. A few years after graduating from Stanford University, I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder with psychosis and Panic Attack Disorder. People used to tell me to "Snap out of it!" or "Just get over it!" I was a Stanford grad, NBA Chicago Bulls cheerleader, MBA, and published Random House author. People didn't understand how I could be afflicted with mental illness. 61 million Americans who are experiencing mental illness this year won't be able to just snap out of it. There are 117 suicides each day.
We have to change that! It starts with a conversation. Connecting is Critical!
--------------------------------
“Erika delivers an informed, inspired, and life-affirming testimony on living one’s purpose while managing Bipolar illness. Erika uplifts the human spirit and encourages us to begin a new dialogue on healthy living.” -Lauren M. Walton, Psychiatrist and Chief of Service, Department of Addiction Medicine, Kaiser Permanente
----------------------------------
I'm raising money for the next leg of the tour that will include presentations, workshops and seminars, powerful panel discussions, and community networking that is vital to continuing the life-saving conversations long after the tour. Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York... and more cities are being added. Your support will help to cover costs: event and travel expenses, food, workbook production, marketing materials, and publicity.
-----------------------“I wanted to say Thank You for sharing your story. My daughter was diagnosed with anorexia, depression, anxiety in late February early March of this year. She has thoughts of suicide and self-harms. Your story has given me hope that she can and I will say she will overcome what she is going through. Thank you for helping to open my eyes. You are an incredible, beautiful woman! You are an inspiration. Hearing from you has taken some of the worry and weight off of me. Thank you for being strong and sharing your story with others.” -Robyn, CA (A Mother)
-------------------------
Thank you for supporting the movement to save lives by creating safe spaces for life-saving conversations! $10,000 for 10,000 is the goal and we need you... our lives really do matter! I love you,
xo, Erika
"And I don't have to know you to love you."
Organizer
Erika Kendrick
Organizer
Chicago, IL
