Suicide Prevention & Awareness

I am Jessi, and I have been battling with depression for a good portion of my life. As many of my close friends, and new friends know, I have battled depression, suicidal thoughts, and have acted out on it twice. I am still here and I am fighting the good fight. Also, many know that I have/had resorted to drinking as a coping deivce for my depression. I have come a long way in the last few months and have really slowed down on my drinking and put more of my energy into working out, biking, training for this half, and most importantly, LAYLA. I am raising money for the Mini Donut Foundation, which is a half marathon race that is dedicated to help end the STIGMA behind mental health and aid in the prevention of suicide. The money will be used to provide more research and education about suicide and ways to help those that may be feeling suicidal or not sure where they can go. This race means so much to me personally because of my own battles that I still fight daily, but nevertheless, I am here and I am still fighting. this also means a great deal because I fully understand the embarssment of having a mental health issue and how I felt when trying to explain it to another. This isn't a 'just get over it' type of disease, this is a VERY serious and starting to become more of a problem disease. This is soemthing I feel that isn't getting enough attention or education put out for those who might need more insight on it. The Mini Donut half marathon is September 17th, 2017. I am hoping to be able to present them with a big donation to help break and end the STIGMA. I know that I would be so overwhelmed and over joyed, because I really didn't think that I would be so emotional last year when I crossed the finish line, but it wasn't easy to hold the tears back. Knowing that this is something I struggle with and am slowly getting better with, being able to donate something more than just myself running in honor of those no longer with us becasue they couldn't fight anymore, means more to me than I can explain. I have made a shirt and put names on it of those that I knew personally who lost their battle and those who I didn't know. I am and will run this in TEHIR honor. I would be forever grateful to anyone who donates anything. I would hold the upmost respect to those because I know those no longer with us would feel the same. I wear 2 semicolons on me daily as a reminder that I am the author of my story and I could've chosen to end it; but I am still going.

From last years race. I want to do more than just run, I want to know that I helped raise awareness and help break the stigma behind this disease that so many are too afraid to open up about. we all need to KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING! BREAK THE STIGMA! MY STORY ISN'T OVER YET.