Handing swag bags to families in need at local Chicago shelter on Christmas
Our Journey at Step Up For Mental Health in 2017 was the year in which many changes happened at Step Up For Mental Health. We changed our name that was clear to our mission. We started our Helpline to help individuals find local mental health services and we started our mental health programs where we focused on service to others in our community and giving forward to the most vulnerable individuals, families, and community.
It was a good beginning for a nonprofit startup. But now moving into 2018, we want to do more and reach larger groups and families in the community. Children and teens dealing with parents and mental health challenges, like Anna* who had a hard time growing up taking care of her mother. Making sure she was taking her medication while trying to study and do all the things teenagers like to do — but trying to make sure her mother was safe.
We also support persons like David* who reached out to us to help him find a local mental health support group but was housebound and lonely and didn’t know where to start. So we just listened.
Each of these stories tells us many people are reaching out for help in their greatest time when sometimes they feel hopeless. As a caregiver of a parent, and someone who has had depression during my lifetime, I know helping someone at that moment, can make all the difference in moving forward in life.
We thanks our donors, volunteers, and partners for all they do for Step Up For Mental Health all year-long! Happy Holidays and a Wonderful New year!
It’s been a year of listening, learning, and exploring to bring to life our programs for the good of families, and now we need your help to make a difference in 2018.
Your tax-deductible gift today will help us continue to work toward a tomorrow, where no one faces mental illness alone. We want to do even more, like peer-to-peer support groups for families who need to connect and share their lives and hopes and to continue our mentorship to help children succeed when life right now seems uncertain.
We are so grateful for your continued support. We know that when we all stand together, we can help build better lives for people who depend on us.
We are just getting started and 2018 will be even better!
The Step For Mental Health Team,
