I am still here.
And that is where my story begins.
The story behind STILL HERE Mental Health Foundation is personal, honest, and rooted in the belief that no young person should feel like they have to carry everything alone.
Before STILL HERE Mental Health Foundation existed, my life was complicated—in one word.
My journey with mental health began when I was in fifth grade. At an age when I should have been learning how to navigate childhood, I was beginning to understand what the word depression meant.
Within the span of two years, I lost my baby sister, my parents divorced, and my great-grandfather passed away. Then came middle school, where I experienced bullying that made the depression I was already carrying become more persistent and visible.
Someone who notices. Someone who listens. Someone who takes them seriously. Someone willing to say, “You don't have to go through this alone.”
Surviving wasn't enough.
It became a purpose.
I told one of my friends that I no longer wanted to be here. I didn't fully understand what I was experiencing, and I didn't know how to explain the thoughts, emotions, and pain I was carrying.
Her name was Grace. Grace opened up to my older cousin about what I had shared with her. That decision changed the direction of my life.
I went through years of battling depression and suicidal thoughts. I wish I had spoken up sooner. My turning point came when I saw the look in my mother's eyes after I told her I wanted to take my own life.
My family surrounded me. They helped me find support, reminded me of my worth, and helped guide my faith in God in a direction that gave me hope for a future I couldn't yet see.
And I believe God pulled me out of the gutter when I needed Him most. He helped me recognize that my life had meaning. That I had a purpose. That my story wasn't finished.
Five years ago, I survived the battle that could have ended my story. STILL HERE was born from the decision that if I could become the person I needed when I was younger, I would.
Your story does not define you.
You matter.
Your life has value, even when you cannot feel it in the moment.
You are not alone.
Asking for help is a strength, not a failure.
Your story isn't over.
A hard chapter can be the beginning of something new.
Renewal. Healing. Resilience.
The lilies in our logo represent renewal, emotional healing, inner peace, fresh beginnings, personal resilience, and recovery.
For STILL HERE, the lily means personal resilience and the reminder that your story matters. It is not the end. It is a beginning.