On My Mind: #MindsOnMain

In 2014 I worked with an almost singular focus to raise money for NAMI via Team TryJen, and hovered around $3500 the day before the walk. Team TryJen would ultimately take home the award for Top Friends & Family Fundraising Team(!).

Today, with under 5 days to go to the 2015 event, we total $215. I don't have the energy to campaign aggressively, these days. I spend most of my energy trying to avoid pain and flareups these days than anything else, and right now I'm trying to conserve energy in order do my part for the NAMI Mid-Carolina ‪#‎MindsOnMain‬ Parade & Block Party on Saturday so that I can walk 5 blocks AND volunteer during the party at Soda City NAMI Mid-Carolina serves such an important purpose in our state, and it relies on fundraising from this event for the majority of its operating budget.

#MindsOnMain Parade & Block Party, 5/2 at Soda City

If you, your employer, or someone you know can help us help the cause, please consider making a donation and/or sharing this post. EVERY dollar helps. Mental illness will touch the lives of 1 in 4 people in any given year [1], and it will do so without discrimination. Professional athletes [2], Beloved and award-winning famous actors [3], your little sister, your dad, your friend, yourself. Depression, anxiety, dementia, addiction, postpartum depression, autism, bipolar disorder... any of the nearly 300 disorders listed in DSM-V - will affect 20% of us PER YEAR. Organizations like NAMI Mid-Carolina are there when we are in need, but they can't be there without crucial funding.

Donate via or sign up to join Team TryJen.


1: WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) 
2: Article by Hayley Wickenheiser, 5-time Olympic Medalist
3: Robin Williams, Suicide

Try40

A year and a half ago, someone I love very much committed suicide. Years of untreated depression and alcoholism culminated in the loss of an incredible person who absolutely did not have to die. I can't go back and undo the terrible loss for a family and a worldwide community of friends and loved ones, but I can and will make a difference for the people in my own community who depend on services like those offered by NAMI Mid-Carolina.

Cocky cheering for the 2013 NAMIWalk

I live with depression and anxiety. I LOVE people with depression, anxiety, OCD, addictions, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, and more. 1 in 4 Americans are living with mental illness - which means chances are, so do you... either yourself, or someone you love.

We're not in this alone, and funding the mental health services in our Midlands community can help ensure that nobody who needs help has to feel alone or go untreated.

Every dollar helps. Every step counts. All we need to do is TRY. I'l be using the hashtag #Try40 for my walk, as I try to make it the entire 5k at age 40. :)

Yes, that's right, I'm about to turn 40. If you are inclined to give me a gift, please consider making a donation to sponsor my first EVER 5k (at age 40!) instead. You can also sign up to join Team TryJen, and come out and walk with me at the last public event at the old Bull Street "Asylum" before it is demolished and new construction begins.

Sponsor me: http://namiwalks.nami.org/jbb
Join Team TryJen: http://namiwalks.nami.org/tryjen

THANK you.