October 9-11 we launch the national network to eliminate the stigma around mental health and substance use disorders, Stop Stigma Together. It’s an amazing Grand Challenge that I am privileged to lead. We have over 100 organizations participating at this event as well as thought leaders across the country, researchers, and activists. I have been working hard with our team putting the event together, enrolling participants, collaborating with work groups to address the program, and prepare for deep discussions on metrics, financial strategies, equity, and communication. It’s a ton of work and we are fortunate to have a backbone organization that is supporting this work including event logistics, marketing and all of the myriad of activities that go into putting something like this together.
It’s been a labor of the heart for me and I feel super fortunate to be engaged in this work. My mother developed schizophrenia when I was a child and it ended up tearing my family apart. It was the 70s and medicine just had not developed enough. Fortunately in the 90s she got good meds and we had a quality relationship for the last few years of her life. My dad channeled a lot of his angst into developing a mental health program for graduate student journalists. I participated in many of his activities. So, my family provided me with lived experience that I will now put to good use for the benefit of people suffering from mental health challenges everywhere.
If you read my posts regularly, you will know that I did a deep dive into the Bhagavad Gita when I went into the woods for a week last August. In that mythic story, Krishna, representing the ineffable source of being, speaks to Arjuna, representing humanity. Among other things Krishna extols the value of offering your work as a sacred gift. This Grand Challenge feels very much like that to me. I am honored to be in this position and welcome the chance to help so many by working with other amazing people across the country.
What might you do this week that is both work and a gift of the heart?
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”
– Muhammad Ali
