It has been almost 10 years since my

uncle ended his life by completing suicide. That loss still stings to this day, and always will. No one in my family knew he was struggling so we didn’t know he needed help. My son was born last week and I honored my uncle by choosing to use his name - Michael - as Everett’s middle name.

I’m no stranger to depression - I remember first having suicidal thoughts and writing a suicide note in my closet at the age of 8. Eight years old and I wanted to escape the pain and rejection I felt in life. Thirty years later, with therapists and medications and so many other challenging life events in between, I am finally stable. I’m an LCSW who works in mental health, with background and experience in crisis work - mainly working with teenagers. I don’t ever want anyone to feel the way my uncle or I felt. I want people to know that there is help. There is support. There are people like me who want to listen and sit with others in their pain and not shy away from it.

That is why I’m doing this fundraiser with my pup, Tucker, who has had such a huge role in stabilizing me for the last 5 years. I’m newly postpartum, so these 31 miles will be slow and cumulative, but it will be good for me, my baby, my dog, and especially this organization. Please consider helping this cause - people like my uncle and I need you and need TWLOHA.

Even if you can’t donate, just sharing this post is helpful!

;

More info:

My pup and I are walking 31 miles to help To Write Love on Her Arms present hope and find help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. TWLOHA holds top ratings from Charity Navigator, the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, and Candid. Thank you for your support!