My name is Lisi and I set up this fundraiser on behalf of my son, Logan Whitworth, an aspiring artist and musician currently studying experimental pop at CalArts University. We have set up this GoFundMe campaign with the goal of raising funds up to $30,000 to provide support for Logan during this challenging time.

Image Description: Four young freshmen smiling and sitting on the steps in front of the “Blue Wall” at CalArts, with the school logo on the wall. From left to right: Zak, Logan, Christopher, and Malcolm.

What Happened to Logan?

He has been prescribed a medicine that is not recommended for individuals with a history of seizures. Not once, but twice - when he had a bad reaction the first time, the hospital listed him as allergic. On a later visit for stomach pains, it was prescribed to him again, on top of another medicine that he had also been having a bad reaction with. The combined effect has been devastating, and he is experiencing prolonged psychosis.

Image description: collage of pictures. One with Logan at 13 years old giving his dog a kiss, a picture of him wearing a shirt he drew on for a class assignment, and a close-up of the drawing, a heart and cardiovascular system. On the right, there are three pictures of him as a young boy, one with his brother, both of them with their hands raised in the ILY sign, and his brother signing "Mom".

Growing up, his body has always been very sensitive. He has had stomach aches easily since a young child, vomiting at the littlest thing. At 17 years old, he started having seizures if he doesn't get enough sleep or eat well enough. Unfortunately, he inherited my chronic insomnia - in combination with his creative mind, he has a very hard time getting decent sleep.

Due to his sensitivity, prescriptions need to be given to this young man with the utmost care and close monitoring.

A Mental Health Crisis Cliche

As of May 11, he has been in the hospital for over a week on an involuntary hold, after being arrested for "public intoxication" - the police and ER doctor failed to detect that he was in the middle of a psychotic break and left him in a jail cell overnight.

The next morning, they were ready to let him out on the street. Fortunately, he was lucid enough to communicate that he was feeling hopeless and suicidal. The Sheriff's mental health team were the first responders who talked to him for more than a few minutes, and they realized that he was in a serious crisis, with disordered thoughts and paranoia.

He gave them my phone number and they contacted me. I had already arranged for him to fly home, but we all agreed it was not safe for him to travel alone and checked him into the hospital for a 72-hour hold while I traveled from Washington, D.C. to California.

There is much, much more to the story -- and it is unfolding day by day. So, his father and I are setting up this fundraiser, his website, and a way to keep updating family, friends, and supporters on a daily and weekly basis.

Our goals are to:

The Story

On the weekend of April 30, I was getting ready for Mental Health Awareness month, sharing my journey in recovering from burnout, learning to live with anxiety and fibromyalgia, managing stress as an entrepreneur, and surviving cancer. My goal was to help create awareness of how various life events can impact mental health.

Image description: May is Mental Health Month. Take some time to look around, look within. MHANational.org/May

Then, I got a text from his girlfriend saying she is very worried about him, he had been behaving increasingly erratic and not making much sense. When I talked to him, he agreed he was not okay and in the middle of a mental breakdown, and I began making arrangements for him to come home and get emergency care.

The situation rapidly declined over the next 30 hours, with him ending up in jail instead of on a plane home. I paused everything and took off to California. The last week has been a very frustrating experience - I am a Deaf mother who is not being included in his treatment planning despite him giving his permission. I am only allowed to talk to a social worker, who passes messages along to the doctors.

At the time of publishing this fundraiser, I am very frustrated with the hospital and looking for alternatives, ideally a facility that takes a holistic approach and holds a philosophy of “medicine as a last resort.”

Logan is Not Alone: An Epidemic of Health Crises

The US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released an advisory last week addressing the “epidemic of loneliness and isolation” that is affecting 50% of the country. See the full report.

CNN reported that "research has showed that loneliness and isolation are linked to sleep problems, inflammation and immune changes in younger adults. In older people, they’re tied to symptoms such as pain, insomnia, depression, anxiety and shorter life span. In people of all ages, they may be associated with higher risks of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, addiction, suicidality and self-harm, and dementia."

Graduating high school and starting college in 2020, plus nearly two years of social distancing, has had its toll on Logan’s mental and physical health.

A case report published in the NIH National Library of Medicine found that out of 533 patients admitted [to a mental health facility over 14 months], 8.1% were admitted owing to antidepressant-associated mania or psychosis.

Additional research studies and statistics also show an alarming pattern of an overburdened first responder system: doctors, police, nurses, social workers and more are increasingly experiencing burnout, with skyrocketing suicide rates.

Why Support Logan?

He is a promising artist passionate about seeing positive change in the world. Such an amazing talent deserves to have a chance to do his work in the supportive environment that he needs.

Here is an example of his work: a music video incorporating his art, unique video editing style, song lyrics he wrote, and his singing.

Battling the Epidemic Together

I recently pivoted my business to a research and development lab studying inclusion, specifically in the space of learning and working wellness.

Previously, while creating accessible and inclusive experiences online and at events for different clients, and having gone through debilitating burnout and anxiety, I observed that our work and learning environments have an impact on our mental health. I thought, "What if we were working and learning better?"

Upon research, I discovered that up to 76% of individuals struggle with mental health at school and work. (Mental Health Challenges are Near-Universal & [Employees Are Leaving Their Jobs For Mental Health] by Mindshare). Logan has been cheering me on, loved my vision, and wanted me to help him form his creative team and support them in achieving working and learning wellness goals.

Just as I won investment for this new business direction, here I find myself in the middle of exactly the crisis I'm working to prevent.

Funding Needs & Next Steps

Medical Expenses: A significant portion of the funds will go towards covering Logan's mounting medical bills, including hospital stays, medications, and specialized treatments necessary for his recovery. Currently, the balance is over $40,000 after insurance payments. We will work to reduce the balances and pay off the remaining amount over time.

Travel and Moving Costs: We live in Washington, D.C., while Logan is receiving care in California. The funds will assist with travel expenses for me to be with him, as well as any necessary moving costs to ensure his safe return home once he is ready.

Boosting Logan's Self-Esteem: We believe in the power of art to heal and inspire. By selling products featuring Logan's artwork, we aim to boost his self-esteem and provide him with a sense of purpose and creative fulfillment during his recovery journey.

Establishing Log-In Productions: With your support, we plan to establish Logan's business, Log-In Productions, which will provide him with income once he has recovered. This venture will allow him to create more art, perform as a musician, and collaborate with a team of medical and creative professionals who will support his wellness goals.

Your contributions will make a tangible difference in Logan's life, providing him with the necessary resources and opportunities to overcome this crisis and pursue his artistic dreams. We are also grateful for any referrals, information, and data you can provide to help us navigate this challenging situation.

Please consider donating to our campaign, or subscribing to my Substack newsletter for regular updates and opportunities to purchase products featuring Logan's artwork.

Thank you for your kindness, and generosity, and for joining us in our mission to improve wellness outcomes for students like Logan.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Lisi, Lee and Logan Whitworth

Image Description: Photo of Lisi, Logan, and Lee smiling, with CalArts dorm and palm trees in the background.

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