It’s mental health awareness month – although I believe that should really be every day. Today I am shining the spotlight on The Scars Foundation.
On my current playlist is Under your Scars by Godsmack – and how fitting that they founded The Scars Foundation.
Our family is no stranger to mental health challenges from PTSD to being bullied. As a girl I was bullied for being in foster care, was molested and as a teenager, I was sexually harassed – leaving behind a mess for me to clean up – trying to heal from those scars.
Friends and Family deal with depression and PTSD from various sources all the way from being raped to having lived through war – only to come out on the other side to battle their own inner demons and watch their battle partners commit suicide.
And my kids experienced bullying because of having how they look or because of disability and physical scars and trying to come out on the
But those aren’t always public acknowledgments. We hear about it but are at a loss for what to do or how to help. And then there are the public ones – in the news – losses that have a profound impact on the individuals in this world.
I still am unable to watch a movie with Robin Williams – I have never met him but from what I was able to get a glimpse of he was indeed an amazing human being. And I still can’t listen to Linkin Park since Chester’s passing because his music spoke to me in ways that words perhaps could never truly convey.
From their Website:
The Scars Foundation was established by Sully Erna and Godsmack, who have lost an overwhelming number of fellow artists and friends to suicide over the past few years. These losses had a profound effect on Sully. Realizing that mental health issues -including depression- are at the core of this epidemic, Sully is committed to using his platform to help.
Their goal is to raise “monies to help like-minded organizations fulfill their missions to educate and save lives” (The Scars Foundation – Godsmack).
When you donate or shop the store through The Scars Foundation, they will benefit the programs with a proven track record in creating the change and effectiveness in addressing mental health issues.
The more we talk about mental health issues, we can eliminate the stigma about seeking and receiving help. There is no shame or gut you need to carry with you – and when you are vulnerable with the world you are letting other’s know it’s okay to not always be ok. You are also letting them know that receiving help is nothing that we need to hide from or be ashamed of.