MISSION: Walk Hard

Remember that time I was a brave secret agent {um, yesterday} and told even more of the world about my struggle with depression? And remember that time all these amazing, beautiful people left comments about their own struggles? And remember how those amazing, beautiful people showed me {and you} that there are so many of us struggling and that we’re not alone and that we’re loved and cherished and have value?

Yeah. That was an amazing time.

And now, I want to make it even more amazing.

I’m currently on the Board of Directors for the National Alliance on Mental Illness {NAMI} Southwestern PA. And with this position comes not only the opportunity to really get involved in a cause I feel very, very strongly about, but it also carries with it tremendous responsibility.  Today I had the honor of speaking at NAMI’s annual kick-off luncheon for their annual walk. I shared my own struggles with depression and thoughts of suicide, as well as my mother’s experience of living with schizoaffective disorder. Afterward, I had nearly a dozen people come up to me to share their own stories, to hug me, to offer support and love, and to just say thank you. Again, these actions just confirmed that there are so many people with stories. Staying silent is no longer an option.

A few years ago, I created a team to walk in NAMI’s annual walk. We called ourselves Team Laura’s Mom. Our t-shirts were pretty sweet, huh?

This year? I’m doin’ it again, y’all. Only this year’s team is Team Secret Agent L. And I want YOU to join me.

That’s right. I just asked you to do something. Again.

Now, I know many of you won’t be able to actually join the team and walk with me {and, subsequently, wear an equally awesome t-shirt, which I am in the process of designing, and which YOU WILL LOVE}. BUT. Do you think you might be able to give up that Starbucks latte some morning and donate the moolah to this important cause instead?

Yup. Less than $5. It’d make a difference. I promise.

Now. If you want to join my team {which would make me OH SO VERY HAPPY}, you can do so here.

But if you’d rather just donate $5 {or, you know, $50 or $500, or FIVE BAZILLION}, then you can do so here.

And if you feel like spreading the word, go ahead and link this post out to anyone and everyone in all manner of ways. Facebook it, Tweet it, blog it, Google+ it {I don’t even know how that works–something to do with circles maybe?}, etc. And if you’d like to have huge banners printed up and hung from overpasses on major highways, I’d be okay with that, too.

I will love you forever. True story.

From the bottom of my {and my mom’s} heart of hearts, thank you, thank you, thank you.