I would be hard-pressed to find someone whose life has not been impacted by mental illness. That, I believe, is because we are whole persons comprised of mind, body and spirit. Caring for ourselves - and our children - must entail caring for the whole person. We must treat our mental health the same as our physical health.

I aspire to see the day when the stigma associated with mental illness has been finally put to rest. When we openly talk and support one another when mental illness impacts our lives. When we no longer need a "mental health awareness" month because caring for the whole person is just what we do.

My life has been impacted by suicide, depression, anxiety and other forms of mental illness. I'm asking you to please join me in STOMPING THE STIGMA - to start talking about mental health, to reach out to those you know are being impacted by mental illness, and to invest in much-needed mental health research and resources. 

The Butterfly Run, presented by Big Lots, is a community fitness event to grow awareness, break stigmas, and raise funds for lifesaving pediatric behavioral health research at Nationwide Children's Hospital. More than just another 5K run and walk, The Butterfly Run is an event for anyone around the country to come together to advocate and improve outcomes for children living with mental illness. Please join me in this On Our Sleeves movement for children’s mental health. I encourage you to visit: https://www.onoursleeves.org/ for more information. 

Your support is so deeply appreciated! Please know that donations are tax-deductible and will be acknowledged by Nationwide Children’s Foundation.

With all my heart, THANK YOU for your support!