It has come to my immediate attention that MUSC's Institute Of Psychiatry Children's 2 North Unit is in desperate need of some help. They are poorly funded, and it is obvious.

Without going into too many details for confidentiality, this was a resource our family desperately needed around Thanksgiving.

To our huge disappointment, I was saddened and completely shocked to see the pediatric unit in its current condition!

The unit is old, rundown, and feels more like a prison than a place that help children get better. This should be a calming environment. Kids need to feel like they are there to get help, not made to feel like they are being punished for something they can't control.

As a community, I am begging you to help out in whatever way you can. (If you have any ideas or ways that we can make more change please reach out to me!)

Mental health is a huge crisis not only here, but all around the country, and the world. It starts with our children, and we need to do better for them. Mental health affects us all.

The stigma around mental health needs to change. We know that. We need to normalize it, it's no different than having high blood pressure or any other health issue.

We need to be putting our resources into helping change that stigma! Because of that stigma the funding is limited!

This change can start by helping these facilities that so desperately need it!

I want to make a difference for our Charleston community.

I am creating a fundraiser, where 100% of the money given will go back to Pediatric 2 North Institute Of Psychiatry at MUSC for the children who need this resource to help overcome their fight.

For some of these children, this is their only hope for help, they should be given TOP QUALITY CARE, not tossed aside and made to feel like there is something wrong with them. They deserve BETTER!

This is just the start to help end this stigma. Let's come together and make a difference! We can do it! Our kids need us to advocate for them!

Please donate, whatever you can, even $1 is a step in the right direction!

Thank you for your time reading this,

Susan Ashby