Lacie's Hike for Suicide Prevention

I am once again calling on your support. 

The last time I made a GoFundMe, it was to raise money for myself. After a turbulent, private battle with depression, I finally "came out" by quitting my job to hike the Appalachian Trail. I didn't know why I thought hiking would help, but since I'd already tried everything else, I figured I'd give it a shot.

Those 5 months of hiking changed my life forever. I rediscovered who I was underneath my mental illness, and felt more alive and connected to the world than I ever thought possible. 

Though hiking the Appalachian Trail was incredibly healing for me, I also recognize the incredible privilege I had to do such a thing. 1 in 5 Americans live with some kind of mental illness, and most of them don't have the option of leaving their jobs and families to go live in the woods. 

As the pandemic rolls on, the collective impact of financial insecurity and social isolation is creating a mental health crisis, putting even greater strain on our limited mental health resources. 

The demand for mental health services far outweighs the supply. People in psychiatric crisis are being told to wait weeks or even months to be seen by a professional. Therapists are at capacity, and many people don't know where else to turn. 

Without access to treatment, some people will inevitably turn to drugs or suicide to  find relief from their suffering.

If things had gone differently, that could have been me. Maybe it could have been you. 

Next month I will begin hiking the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. I hope to use this opportunity to raise money and awareness for NAMI, The National Alliance on Mental Illness and the amazing work that they do.
 
NAMI  is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to providing advocacy, education, support for individuals and families affected by mental illness.  They offer free resources to people struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or contemplating suicide, including support groups and crisis lines. 

I have used these resources in the past, and I know many others who owe at least part of their recovery to NAMI as well. 

I feel very blessed that I am able to fund my own thru hike this year, but if you would like to support me on this adventure, please consider making a donation to NAMI instead. 

Thank you and have a wonderful day.