| | Our MissionTo build a compassionate and informed community that supports mental health, promotes emotional well-being, and ensures no one struggles alone… in Kathy’s name. |
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| | A Note From Our FounderDr. Michelle Boodoo |
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| Five Aprils ago, we lost Kathy to suicide… and for so long, my grief felt like it was breaking my heart from the inside out. Lately, it doesn’t hurt in the same way. The sharp pain has softened into something quieter… something that wonders. I find myself wondering about Kathy all the time. I wonder what her voice would sound like today. I wonder what kind of bread she would have been baking in the kitchen. I wonder what she would look like…. would her hair be short or long? I wonder where life would have taken her. Would she be living in Spain or France… or traveling the world, as she always dreamed? I wonder if the red cardinals I see are little pieces of her, stopping by to say hello. I wonder if, somehow, she feels me thinking of her…the way I feel her in everything. There are so many things I wonder about her now. But more than anything, I wonder if she remembers just how deeply she was and is loved. |
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| | | Let’s Be Better HumansLet’s be better…better humans, better friends, better to one another, simply because it makes the world a little lighter for everyone. Being better doesn’t require perfection. It looks like small, intentional choices: offering kindness instead of judgment, listening instead of assuming, showing up when someone needs support, and leading with empathy in everyday moments. We never truly know what someone else is carrying. A little more patience, a little more compassion, and a little more understanding can go a long way. Be better, not for recognition, but because it matters. |
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| | | You Are EnoughYou are enough....exactly as you are in this moment. Not because of what you achieve, how you look, or what others expect of you, but simply because you exist. On the days when doubt creeps in, and your inner voice feels heavy, remind yourself that your worth is not up for debate. You don’t have to prove anything to deserve love, care, or peace. Take a breath and keep going. |
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| Love YourselfMake sure you love yourself, because you matter and your mental health matters.
Take time to care for your mind, be gentle with your thoughts, and give yourself the same compassion you offer others. You deserve rest, healing, and support. Your mental health matters, and loving yourself isn’t selfish...it’s necessary. |
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| | He Struggles TooMen feel sadness, depression, insecurity, and the weight of being misunderstood, yet too often, they are expected to stay silent. Many men struggle with their mental health in ways that go unseen, carrying emotions they’ve been taught to hide. It’s time to change that. Be present and listen without judgment. Create space for honesty and vulnerability. Your support can make a difference in helping the men in our lives feel safe enough to open up. Too many suffer in silence because of fear or shame. |
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| Stay KindStay kind…it’s what truly makes you beautiful. You never know what someone else may be carrying, and even the smallest act of kindness can mean the world to someone who is struggling. If you notice someone having a hard time, take a moment to check in, listen, and remind them they’re not alone. Your presence and compassion can make a difference. |
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| | Suicide PreventionSuicide prevention starts with all of us. It begins with checking in, listening without judgment, and creating space for honest conversations. A simple message, a kind word, or just being present can make a difference in someone’s life. |
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| | Happy Birthday KP 🤍 April 9th was Kathy’s 29th birthday. I thought about so many ways to celebrate her. But this year, her dad wanted to sing “Happy Birthday” to her in our local park... a place that holds so many memories of us. The park where we walked for hundreds of miles with her, talking about nothing and laughing about everything. The place we exercised, explored, went on nature walks, had picnics, and so much more. A place filled with memories… filled with HER. We just wanted to feel close to her, to remember her, to talk about her, and to imagine who she would be today. I think she’d be fluent in French and Spanish by now. I know we would’ve completed at least two Camino de Santiago walks together. She’d probably be living somewhere in Europe, chasing her dreams in her own little pastry shop. And one thing I’m certain of… She would always love us. Always. I miss her in every moment, in every breath, in every part of my life. But loving her never stopped... it only grows deeper with time. |
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| | | Mental Health is HealthMental health is health, just as important as your physical well-being. We don’t hesitate to see a doctor when something is wrong with our body, and the same care should be given to our minds. If you’re struggling, reaching out to a mental health professional is a strong and necessary step toward healing. You don’t have to go through it alone. Lean on your loved ones for support, share what you’re feeling, and allow others to be there for you. Connection can make a powerful difference during difficult times. |
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| Depression is RealDepression is real, and it can feel overwhelming, but you are not alone. What you’re experiencing matters, and you deserve support, understanding, and care. If you’re struggling, please call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, to connect with trained counselors who are available 24/7 to listen and support you. |
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| | Save a Life Talking about suicide can save lives. It’s okay to ask difficult questions; doing so does not introduce the idea of suicide, but instead creates a safe space for someone to share what they’re experiencing. When we listen without judgment and respond with compassion, we help others feel seen, supported, and less alone, while reminding them that help is available. |
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| Use Your VoiceIf we’re all waiting for someone else to end the stigma around mental illness, it will never change. Real progress begins when each of us chooses to speak openly, listen without judgment, and show compassion in everyday moments. Breaking stigma isn’t one person’s responsibility; it’s a shared commitment. It’s in the conversations we start, the language we use, and the way we support those who may be struggling. Change happens when waiting turns into action. |
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| | DepressionDid you know that depression is the most common condition associated with suicide, according to the AFSP.
Please know that your mental health matters, and taking time to protect your peace, rest your mind, and ask for help when you need it is a sign of strength, not weakness. |
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| My book, Grieving You, was written to help others navigate their grief. One of the most important things I learned through writing, researching, and creating it is that grief never truly leaves. It becomes a part of who you are. The empty spaces left behind by loss can’t be filled; instead, grief finds a way to settle into those spaces, shaping itself around every part of your being. And in that realization, I discovered something unexpected… in my grief, I see my Kathy. So I’ve learned to welcome it. It’s okay if it brings tears, sadness, or days when all I want to do is stay in bed. Because within those moments, I remember her, the sound of her voice, her little jokes, the quiet elegance of who she was. My hope is that when you read my book, you find those same moments, a way to remember, to feel close, and to hold your loved ones again within its pages. 💙…(her favorite color was blue)
If you’re struggling, please call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, to connect with trained counselors who are available 24/7 to listen and support you. |
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| Grieving You: Poems of Love and Loss |
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| | Disclaimer: In Her Name & Online Community is for informational purposes. It is not meant to serve as medical advice or to replace consultation with your physician or mental health professional.
If you or someone you know is in distress, CALL or TEXT 988 or go to https://988lifeline.org for help. The counselors will also help family members. |
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