Help Me Become a Certified Mental Health CODE Advocate Teacher

I’m reaching out with a heartfelt request—and one I’m incredibly proud to share.

I recently signed a contract with Mental Health CODE to become a Certified Mental Health CODE Advocate Teacher. This opportunity is deeply meaningful to me because it combines my education, professional experience, and personal calling into a role where I can continue helping others on a broader scale through mental health education, advocacy, and support.

Mental Health CODE’s mission focuses on expanding access to mental health education and equipping people with practical tools to recognize emotional distress, reduce stigma, respond effectively in crisis, and create stronger, healthier communities through awareness and support.

Once certified, I will be able to provide education, advocacy, and support that can reach a wide range of individuals and communities—including teachers, school staff, first responders, police officers, veterans, families, youth, workplaces, faith communities, and individuals struggling with their mental health.

This work is especially important because so many people carry invisible stress, trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, burnout, or crisis without always knowing where to turn.

Through this certification, I would be able to help:

• Teachers and school staff better understand student mental health needs, emotional regulation, trauma responses, and ways to support youth both inside and outside the classroom.

• Police officers and first responders who face repeated exposure to trauma, high stress, burnout, compassion fatigue, and mental health challenges related to the demanding nature of their work.

• Veterans navigating PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, transition-related challenges, or feeling disconnected after service.

• Families and communities by increasing awareness around mental health, reducing stigma, and providing practical tools for support, communication, and healing.

• Individuals in crisis or emotional distress by helping connect them to education, hope, resources, and support before they feel alone.

Mental health affects every community, every profession, and every family—and this certification would allow me to be part of helping people feel seen, supported, educated, and empowered.

My own professional path has always centered around helping others. I hold a degree in education and have worked in teaching and supportive roles for years. I’ve served as a crisis counselor helping people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives, and I am currently a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate working toward full credentialing.

Because I am on oxygen 24/7, my physical ability to work outside of the home is limited, and I am only able to work remotely. That reality has created financial limitations for me—but it has never changed my desire to serve others.

That’s why this opportunity means so much.

Mental Health CODE gives me the opportunity to continue using my voice, training, lived experience, and professional background to help others while working remotely in a way that is sustainable for my health. It allows me to continue doing work I feel genuinely called to do while potentially impacting hundreds of lives through education and advocacy.

To begin this role, I must complete the Mental Health Advocate Certification Course, which begins Saturday, June 6, 2026.

The tuition for the certification is $3,600, and the full amount is due by June 5, 2026.

Because of my limited ability to work due to my medical condition and current financial circumstances, I’m asking for support to help cover this certification cost.

If you feel led to donate—whether it’s $10, $25, $100, or by simply sharing this fundraiser—it would mean more than I can express. Every donation helps me move closer to completing this certification and stepping into this role fully prepared to educate, advocate, and serve.

Your support would not only help me professionally—it would help expand mental health education and support to the people and communities who need it most.

If donating isn’t possible, sharing this fundraiser with others would be an incredible gift as well.

Thank you for believing in me, encouraging me, and helping make this next chapter possible.

With sincere gratitude,

Celeste Keitt