The Internet always blows up when a celebrity dies by suicide. We get the "Check on your strong friend" or the "You never what someone is going through" posts. Well, my "strong" friend - who happens to be a suicide survivor - is really going through some really big challenges and I'm hoping everyone who has posted about Stephen "tWitch" Boss' recent death, who is passionate about mental health advocacy, or who just cares for my wonderful friend Regina, can help me, help her.

More than two years ago Regina Renaye started a peer support group (Sister Circle) to help Black women heal and start or maintain their mental wellness journeys. She has provided support to those struggling - both individually and in group settings. Her goal in life is to stomp out the stigma with respect to speaking about mental health struggles and seeking support. She is the creator of the annual "Strong Black Woman Redefined" conference which brings both clinicians and persons with lived experience alike together in one space in an effort to dismantle the Strong Black Woman syndrome.

Regina is a staunch mental health advocate who often shares her personal struggle with mental health to let people know they are not alone. She has even testified in front of the Massachusetts State Legislature to advocate for dedicated funding for peer-led mental organizations founded and run by people of color. She has been deemed a local inspiration by the MA Department of Mental Health and was recently named Mental Health Advocate of the Year by a leading culture-centered mental wellness organization, Healing Black Women.

She has worked tirelessly to help those who need it, often putting her own needs aside - which is why I am putting up this GoFundMe page. Regina is in extreme financial distress. She is currently being displaced/evicted, her vehicle has been repossessed (which means she cannot pick up her meds/food), and she is behind in her utilities - if you live in northern Mass, you know it's imperative to have fuel for heat during this time. Regina suffers from both mental and physical ailments (a genetic disorder that also requires several medications) so she really needs our help.

And of course, none of us knew about this because Regina is our strong friend. Please let Regina know that she is not alone and that we are here to support her by making a donation.

Your contribution will help Regina retain her housing, regain her vehicle, get access to both her psychiatric and medical prescriptions, catch up on her utility bills, and will cover the late fees associated with all the aforementioned bills.

Thank you for your kindness, love, and support.

-Emily