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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023
Compassion<br />
in Action<br />
ASL THERAPIST<br />
AND MENTAL HEALTH<br />
SUPPORT RESOURCE LIST<br />
At Karuna, we’re dedicated to championing the<br />
needs and experiences of people living with<br />
mental illness as we work toward our mission<br />
of developing and delivering transformative<br />
medicines to those in need.<br />
Use your phone to scan the QR code for a list of ASL<br />
Therapists and Mental Health Support organizations.<br />
LEARN MORE AT KARUNATX.COM<br />
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is made possible in part by a grant from<br />
Special thanks to the following individuals for<br />
their support in making this show a success:<br />
Sarah Alder<br />
US Army, 2000-2008<br />
Tiffany Freeze<br />
US Army, 2010-2015<br />
Rudy Caseres<br />
US Army, 2009-2009<br />
Dr. Jan Laughinghouse, PhD., LCSW-BACS<br />
Cast Mentor<br />
Cast Mentor<br />
Video Production<br />
Mental Health Professional<br />
www.thisismybrave.org<br />
@thisismybrave<br />
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DEAR FRIENDS,<br />
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY!<br />
What a journey it has been since This Is My Brave produced its very first show in Arlington, Virginia, in 2014 – a show<br />
inspired by our co-founder and former Executive Director, Jennifer Marshall. I know that she and her co-founder, Anne<br />
Marie Ames, never imagined at that time the success that Brave would realize. Since 2014, This Is My Brave has produced<br />
90 more shows in dozens of cities across the U.S. and in Australia. Story by story, This Is My Brave is shining a light on<br />
mental illness and addiction and helping end the stigma that has so long surrounded these issues.<br />
COVID-19 presented us (and the world) with challenges we never could have expected. If there’s any good that came from<br />
the global pandemic, it is that our society is finally understanding the need to prioritize mental health and wellness and<br />
eliminate stigma. We at This Is My Brave are here for it! Storytelling has and will always be a path to authentic connection<br />
and healing. We are especially proud to have a platform in place where all stories can be shared and all storytellers can<br />
be affirmed and celebrated.<br />
We are thrilled to collaborate on this very special edition of This Is My Brave - Stories from the Veteran Community,<br />
Vol. 2! I am incredibly honored that this cast of amazing storytellers has stepped forward to share their powerful<br />
personal testimonies of living well and thriving as individuals who are managing a mental health / substance use<br />
experience. I know that this show will shine a light on such circumstances and let others who are facing something<br />
similar know they are not alone.<br />
Especially now, opening up conversations in this community about mental health through storytelling will have a lasting<br />
impact for so many. We hope that the stories you hear tonight will spark important conversations in your circles!<br />
Every time a story is told — every time we shine a light on mental health or substance use conditions — we let someone<br />
know that they are not alone. We can give someone the gift of hope and provide them with a sense of community based<br />
on shared experiences.<br />
YOU ARE A VITALLY IMPORTANT PART OF THIS STORY, TOO.<br />
Many of us know what it’s like to be stigmatized because of what we’ve been through. It is time<br />
to acknowledge that this experience of shame is not unique. We must stop the secrecy that<br />
stigma has imposed on us and begin to share openly and honestly about our experiences.<br />
Together, we can work to end the stigma. We have come so far in nine years, but we still<br />
have so much more work to do. There are millions more stories to be shared, and we<br />
will start by sharing a few more on this stage here with you tonight.<br />
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON THIS JOURNEY.<br />
Erin Gallagher,<br />
Executive Director
OUR MISSION<br />
The mission of This Is My Brave is<br />
to empower individuals to put their<br />
names and faces to their personal<br />
stories of recovery from mental<br />
illness and/or addiction.<br />
“So much power in real stories of struggle & hope.”<br />
DAWN LITTLEFIELD, AUDIENCE MEMBER, DEKALB SHOW<br />
OUR VISION<br />
Someday, we will live in a world where we won’t<br />
have to call it “brave” for talking openly about<br />
mental illness. WE WILL SIMPLY CALL IT “TALKING.”<br />
This Is My Brave, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is the leading platform for individuals to share their stories of<br />
living successful lives despite a diagnosis of a mental illness or addiction. Our main event is This Is My Brave - The Show, a<br />
live stage production featuring a cast of individuals who use the performing arts to share their stories and inspire others.<br />
We’re opening up the conversation about mental health disorders in communities all across the country.<br />
www.thisismybrave.org<br />
@thisismybrave<br />
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THE<br />
SHOW<br />
We believe in the power of storytelling to break down the stigma surrounding mental illness. This<br />
Is My Brave - The Show is a live theater presentation of touching essays, original music, poetry,<br />
and comedy created and performed by individuals living with – or loving someone with – a mental<br />
illness. Our storytellers are here to inspire you to find hope in your own challenges or give hope to<br />
someone you love who may be facing similar circumstances. This Is My Brave is honored to work<br />
with volunteer production teams around the country to produce these shows in order to normalize<br />
conversations about mental health, break down stigma and offer hope.<br />
ORDER<br />
OF SHOW<br />
Opening Remarks<br />
Erin Gallagher, Executive Director<br />
This Is My Brave<br />
Victor Tafoya Rodriguez<br />
US Marine Corps, 2003-2009<br />
Lynn Geiser<br />
US Army, 1993-2004<br />
Eduardo De La Torre<br />
US Army, 2003-2013<br />
Carmela Hampton<br />
US Air Force, 2012-2022<br />
Enrique (Quique) Luis A. Hartmann<br />
US Army, 2000-2004; US National Guard 2006-2009<br />
My Daily Reality<br />
A Woman’s Voice<br />
Not Enough Training<br />
A Toast To Life<br />
Hallelujah<br />
Closing Remarks<br />
Erin Gallagher, Executive Director<br />
This Is My Brave<br />
Live Panel Discussion with the Cast<br />
featuring Dr. Jan Laughinghouse, Ph.D., MCSW-BACS as the Mental Health Professional<br />
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BRAVE AUDIENCE ETIQUETTE<br />
Please DO take out your cell phones during performances and<br />
SHARE on your social media platforms that you are watching!<br />
SHARE your photos, favorite lines or takeaways using the hashtag<br />
#STORYTELLINGSAVESLIVES<br />
and tagging us @THISISMYBRAVE<br />
Help us tell the world that we’re here, and you’re watching!<br />
Laugh at the funny, be comfortable with the sad,<br />
be inspired by the resilience.<br />
Need a break during the show? We understand. Things can get heavy.<br />
Please exit quietly, and let your friends and family know that you’re okay.<br />
We’ll be here when you’re ready :)<br />
THIS IS MY BRAVE’S 2023 NATIONAL SPONSORS<br />
www.thisismybrave.org<br />
@thisismybrave<br />
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The image depicted contains models and is being used<br />
for illustrative purposes only.<br />
Creating a future where disease is a<br />
thing of the past.<br />
At Janssen Neuroscience, we have a bold and ambitious goal – to create a<br />
future where serious mental illness and debilitating neurological disorders<br />
are a thing of the past. We work hard to help heal minds and bodies, restoring<br />
hope for better lives. Learn more at www.janssen.com.<br />
8<br />
© Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems, Inc. 2023 04/23 cp-311245v2
A NOTE<br />
FROM THE PRODUCER<br />
Thank you for joining us for this very special virtual show, This Is My Brave - Stories from the<br />
Veteran Community, Vol. 2. We are so proud of this group of individuals who have stepped<br />
forward to be Brave with us and share their stories of managing their mental health while living<br />
well and thriving as proud veterans.<br />
We hope that you are inspired by what you see tonight and that you will take this show as a call to<br />
action to start conversations within your own circles about veteran mental health. Silence is no<br />
longer an option. Every veteran deserves to know how much we appreciate what they have done<br />
for our country. We value them for their unique qualities and the remarkable impact that they bring<br />
to our communities and the world. Their lives matter, their stories matter, and we need them here.<br />
Finally, we want to extend a special thank you and an enormous amount of gratitude for our Brave<br />
storytellers - Carmela, Victor, Lynn, Eduardo, and Enrique; our cast mentors - Tiffany and Sarah;<br />
our mental health professional - Dr. Jan Laughinghouse; and our video producer - Rudy Caseres,<br />
for all they have done to make this show a success!<br />
Enjoy the show!<br />
This Is My Brave, Inc.<br />
www.thisismybrave.org<br />
@thisismybrave<br />
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THE<br />
CAST<br />
EDUARDO DE LA TORRE (HE/HIM)<br />
US ARMY, 2003-2013<br />
Eduardo De La Torre was born and raised in Houston, Texas and<br />
graduated from Chinquapin in 1999. He was attending Texas A&M<br />
University when the September 11th attacks motivated him to enlist.<br />
After serving ten years (two deployments with the 82nd ABN DIV),<br />
Eduardo returned to college as a Posse Veteran Scholar at Vassar<br />
College. He worked for Value Act Capital and Bloomberg before<br />
returning to Houston to launch his own company, DVG Financial, in<br />
2018. He is currently working towards his MBA at Rice University in<br />
quantitative finance.<br />
LYNN GEISER (SHE/HER)<br />
US ARMY, 1993-2004<br />
Lynn Geiser is a very persistent, passionate, and dedicated military<br />
woman who has seen and been down the path of trauma and tragedy,<br />
but that didn’t stop her. She pursued goals that were beyond selfish<br />
because of her passion for giving back to her sisters in the armed<br />
forces. She separated from the military in 2004 after serving a total<br />
of ten years in the National Guard and active duty in the Army. During<br />
her time exploring who she was and finding her passion, she created<br />
a nonprofit called “Hope4veterans” in 2018. She wanted to do more to<br />
help our sisters in arms; she wanted to be there for her sisters, give<br />
them the tools to succeed and build confidence within themselves.<br />
Lynn Geiser’s journey of trauma and tragedy was changed into<br />
passion and growth for other military women that came across her<br />
path. To learn more, visit www.hope4veterans.org, and follow along<br />
on Instagram at @hope4veterans.<br />
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CARMELA HAMPTON (SHE/HER)<br />
US AIR FORCE, 2012-2022<br />
Carmela Hampton, first and foremost, is capable. She was born and<br />
raised in the concrete jungle of New York City where her childhood<br />
included iced coffee, chopped cheese, bacon, egg, and cheese, and<br />
25 cent juices or Arizonas. Unfortunately, it is also where the basis<br />
of her trauma took place, and she knew she needed to escape family<br />
and the New York streets out of fear she’d end up in jail or worse.<br />
In 2012, she joined the United States Air Force. Carmela Hampton<br />
eventually started her self healing journey after hitting rock bottom<br />
in 2021, learning how capable she truly is. She became an active real<br />
estate agent and investor in 2022, selling over $3 million in real estate<br />
and helped over thirteen families in 2023 alone, with two toddlers<br />
in tow. In addition, she found her passion in purchasing distressed/<br />
abandoned properties to renovate and restore for families to live in<br />
and love again. After ten and a half years of service, in May of 2022,<br />
Carmela Hampton medically retired from the Air Force and now calls<br />
Texas her home. She is a full time mama and real estate entrepreneur<br />
enjoying life with her husband and two boys. She is indeed capable!<br />
ENRIQUE (QUIQUE) LUIS A. HARTMANN (HE/HIM)<br />
US ARMY, 2000-2004; US NATIONAL GUARD 2006-2009<br />
Enrique (Quique) Luis A. Hartmann has lived with post traumatic stress<br />
disorder since returning from Iraq. He also has been living with other<br />
mental health challenges since primary school. Enrique has been<br />
impacted by the stigmas revolving around mental health his whole<br />
life. He feels that by talking and sharing his struggles, he will inspire<br />
other people to be open about their own trials. Enrique believes that<br />
if conversations about mental health become ubiquitous, the stigmas<br />
will eventually fade away.<br />
www.thisismybrave.org<br />
@thisismybrave<br />
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THE<br />
CAST<br />
VICTOR TAFOYA RODRIGUEZ (HE/HIM)<br />
US MARINE CORPS, 2003-2009<br />
Raised in a small, rural town in central Mexico, Victor is a first<br />
generation immigrant and English learner. California has been his<br />
home since 1997. At 17, he joined the military and went to boot camp<br />
in January 2003; by then, he was 18. After graduating high school<br />
and having no guidance on pursuing a college education, he joined<br />
the United States Marine Corps to gain a life experience of service,<br />
confidence, and, eventually, the benefit of an education program that<br />
would help him pursue a college degree. Serving with the US Marine<br />
Corps, he deployed in 2007 with Operation Iraqi Freedom. While serving<br />
as a reservist with the US Military, Victor came across an opportunity<br />
for an internship at a local television station in Sacramento. He<br />
recently graduated from Sacramento State University with a degree<br />
in intercultural communications. As a veteran and a journalist with<br />
over 15 years in the field, he brings an array of experience that he<br />
hopes can motivate others with similar backgrounds, both veterans<br />
and first generation immigrants.<br />
While working at ABC 10 in Sacramento, California, the pandemic<br />
didn’t stop many families from going to work. The idea of “work never<br />
stops” is all but tattooed in the minds of many first generation and<br />
immigrant families. He realized he could help to provide a caution<br />
message due to the pandemic, not only in their native language but<br />
also at a cultural level. California communities not only need support<br />
in translating information into a language they understand, but they<br />
also find themselves in diverse cultural codes that must be adapted<br />
for a community to react. Today, Victor wants to work on supporting<br />
his community of veterans and immigrant families who need someone<br />
to talk to and give a stage to their stories. Follow along with Victor on<br />
Instagram at @victortafoya.<br />
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CAST<br />
MENTORS<br />
SARAH E. ALDER (SHE/HER/THEY/THEM)<br />
US ARMY 2000-2008<br />
Sarah E. Alder, born and raised in Ogden, Utah, comes from a large family<br />
with six other siblings and calls Utah and Colorado home. She served in<br />
the US Army from 2000-2008 and has been serving the LGBTQIA+ and<br />
Veteran community for over 15 years. Sarah is trained in Mental Health<br />
First Aid (MHFA) and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).<br />
Many instances have required that she utilize these tools and resources<br />
to provide support for friends, family, and even herself in moments of<br />
severe distress. Sarah is extremely passionate about advocating for<br />
normalization and destigmatization of suicidality and mental health as a<br />
human experience. Sarah lives in Larkspur, CO with her wife and 15-yearold<br />
daughter. When Sarah has time and wealth, she greatly enjoys<br />
traveling anywhere in the world, visiting breweries and coffee shops,<br />
road cycling, hiking and even handywoman projects.<br />
TIFFANY FREEZE (SHE/HER)<br />
US ARMY 2010-2015<br />
Tiffany Freeze is a veteran with a struggle like many others. She spent<br />
six years in the Army as an imagery analyst, traveling to Colorado,<br />
Afghanistan, and Germany. Tiffany experienced military sexual trauma<br />
early in her career in addition to other trauma from deployment. For a<br />
long time it controlled her life, but she found outlets to release that anger.<br />
Fashion Design became her art outlet, while finding the right therapist<br />
and getting the right medications. Sharing her story with others is also<br />
important. She believes in “don’t let the past control your future.”<br />
www.thisismybrave.org<br />
@thisismybrave<br />
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MENTAL HEALTH<br />
PROFESSIONAL<br />
DR. JAN LAUGHINGHOUSE, PH.D., LCSW-BACS<br />
Dr. Jan Laughinghouse, a licensed clinical social worker, board-approved<br />
clinical supervisor, and licensed addictions counselor, serves as the<br />
Executive Director at Capital Area Human Services in Baton Rouge, LA.<br />
She has over 22 years of experience in the treatment of substance use<br />
disorders and has worked extensively with women, veterans, individuals<br />
with co-occurring disorders, those who have experienced trauma and<br />
chronic homelessness, and re-entry populations.<br />
A North Carolina native, Dr. Laughinghouse received her B.A. in<br />
psychology from Bennett College, a Master of Social Work from the<br />
joint degree program at North Carolina A&T State University and the<br />
University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a Ph.D. in human<br />
development and family studies from the University of North Carolina<br />
at Greensboro.<br />
Dr. Laughinghouse has served on the faculty at Guilford Technical<br />
Community College, Bennett College, and Southern University. She<br />
has successfully married her love of education with her clinical skills<br />
to promote understanding of substance use disorders and to reduce<br />
stigma by presenting to audiences at the LSU School of Social Work,<br />
UNC-Greensboro, the Partners Ending Homelessness Academy,<br />
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, East and West Baton<br />
Rouge Sheriff’s Offices, West Baton Rouge Probation and Parole,<br />
Rubicon/Huntsman, Nova Chemical, OHCC Open Talks Conference, and<br />
faith-based opioid forums.<br />
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FALL 2023 SHOWS / EVENTS<br />
• August 2023 - Inaugural TEEN MENTAL HEALTH MONTH Campaign<br />
• September 2023 - JAY WALKERS CHALLENGE for Suicide Prevention<br />
• LIVE Productions of THIS IS MY BRAVE - THE SHOW:<br />
October 5 - Floris Restoration, Herndon, VA<br />
October 12 - Penn State Abington<br />
October 19 - Eagle Valley, CO<br />
• VIRTUAL Productions of THIS IS MY BRAVE:<br />
November 9 - Stories from the Veteran Community, Vol. 2<br />
INTERESTED IN BRINGING THIS IS MY BRAVE TO YOUR COMMUNITY?<br />
Register for one of our {virtual} New Producer Interest Meetings!<br />
• September 19, 2023 • October 25, 2023 • November 14, 2023<br />
SCAN THE QR CODE AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION<br />
THIS IS MY BRAVE<br />
MERCH SHOP<br />
Are you looking to add some #BraveGear to your wardrobe? Check out our new<br />
merch shop, and wear your Brave for all to see! We update the options frequently,<br />
so be sure to check back often. Visit our website to order yours today!<br />
www.thisismybrave.org<br />
@thisismybrave<br />
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THIS IS MY BRAVE<br />
LEADERSHIP<br />
MARLON DELEON (HE/THEY)<br />
Program Coordinator<br />
Marlon is a lot of things, and among them he is a husband, father, disabled Navy submarine veteran, retired<br />
grade school violinist, budding guitarist, aspiring writer, recovering alcoholic, and strives to love all neighbors.<br />
In 2016 he took the stage in Valparaiso, Indiana for his first This Is My Brave Show. After that, his life was peaches<br />
and unicorns forever. Actually, in some ways, it was just the beginning. In 2017 he married his best friend, Andrea,<br />
and later that year they welcomed their first child. 2018 brought them their second child, and 2019 brought Marlon the diagnosis of<br />
Bipolar Type II. In 2021 Marlon shared more of his story in the virtual APIDA Community show, and he ecstatically joined the Brave staff<br />
in 2022. Marlon truly believes that #StorytellingSavesLives and he will never underestimate the importance of sharing the message<br />
that it’s ok to ask for help.<br />
Photo credit: EmmiClaire Photography<br />
ERIN GALLAGHER (SHE/HER)<br />
Executive Director<br />
Erin is proud to be a part of the This Is My Brave team as Executive Director. Following the suicide of her son,<br />
Jay, in 2016, Erin and her husband became passionate mental health advocates and have worked tirelessly to<br />
influence policy on appropriate responses, particularly in the public schools, to suicide warning signs. She enjoys<br />
working with This Is My Brave volunteers towards ending the stigma associated with mental health and substance<br />
use disorders in honor of Jay. When Erin is not working, she enjoys spending time at her alma mater, James Madison University, visiting<br />
her oldest daughter, Lindsay. She also loves logging hours with husband Tim while watching fastpitch softball played by her youngest,<br />
Laurenne, who is a student at Mt. St. Mary’s University in Maryland.<br />
KATIE GRANA (SHE/HER)<br />
Director of Programming<br />
Katie Grana, Director of Programming with This Is My Brave, has been with the organization since 2019. With a<br />
history in sales and client management, her transition to the world of mental health advocacy was natural, as<br />
she herself lives with PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Katie believes in the mission and vision of This Is My Brave<br />
and is inspired to do this work every day. Katie lives in St. Louis, MO and is a proud St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis<br />
Blues fan. She loves spending time with her dogs, her partner, and her family and friends.<br />
AALIYAH OGLETREE (SHE/HER)<br />
Director of Development<br />
Aaliyah recently joined This Is My Brave in 2023. She has worked in both the nonprofit and business sectors for<br />
over a decade. Aaliyah is a passionate advocate for mental health and human rights. Her own diagnosis of PTSD<br />
and anxiety and the stigmatization she faced inspired her interest in mental health advocacy. Aaliyah graduated<br />
from the University of New Orleans with a B.A. in Drama & Communications with a Minor in History. She is working<br />
on completing her Arts Administration thesis at Drexel University. Aaliyah is a native of New Orleans and has a great love for its culture,<br />
especially eating its cuisine like King Cake, crawfish, and gumbo. When she is and isn’t working, Aaliyah enjoys spending time with her<br />
two favorite people in the world, her daughters Taylor and Jordan.<br />
NATASHA WEST (SHE/HER)<br />
Director of Marketing<br />
Natasha joined This Is My Brave in 2022 as the Director of Marketing, with more than eight years of marketing<br />
experience in mental health and health care. Prior to joining This Is My Brave, Natasha worked for various mental<br />
health nonprofits as a digital marketing consultant where she focused on data-driven strategy development.<br />
Natasha received a B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in Social Media and Communication Technology and<br />
a M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University. When Natasha is not working, she loves backpacking,<br />
16 hiking, concerts, and planning future travel with Peanut and Khaleesi (dog and cat).
THIS IS MY BRAVE<br />
OUR FOUNDERS<br />
Photo credit: Shoot Photo Inc.<br />
ANNE MARIE AMES<br />
Co-Founder<br />
Board of Directors<br />
Jessica Kennedy, Chairperson<br />
Adam Bromberg<br />
Dr. Kyaien Conner<br />
Kristine Haataja<br />
Anne Marie held a variety of PR and strategic communications positions throughout<br />
her career, but her favorite job was creating and producing This Is My Brave. She<br />
found her passion and her mission – to help others share their stories – and made<br />
tremendous contributions to the organization from launching the initial concept to<br />
strategizing on growth and expansion over the four years of her tenure. Anne Marie’s<br />
sudden passing on August 23, 2017, was a shock to the many who loved her, and she<br />
is deeply missed.<br />
Advisory Board<br />
Doreen Gentzler<br />
Dr. Mark Komrad<br />
Dr. Robert Post<br />
Dr. Hayley Sherwood<br />
Photo credit: Alicia Bruce<br />
JENNIFER MARSHALL<br />
Co-Founder<br />
Jenn (she/her) was diagnosed with Type 1 Bipolar Disorder in 2006 at the age<br />
of 26. She’s had four hospitalizations within five years – two in 2005 before any<br />
diagnosis was reached, and two more because she was trying to protect her<br />
newborn son (postpartum psychosis) in 2008 and her unborn daughter in 2010 –<br />
and all were because she was unmedicated at the time. Writing her way through<br />
life with a mental illness became her way of healing, and her award-winning blog<br />
BipolarMomLife became an inspiration to many. Jenn created This Is My Brave<br />
because she learned first hand how powerful and therapeutic it was to live<br />
openly and not hide her diagnosis. She wanted to give brave individuals from the<br />
community a platform through which to creatively share their stories of living with<br />
mental illness to educate and inspire others. After leading This Is My Brave, Inc. for<br />
seven years, Jenn stepped down from her role as Executive Director in 2022. She<br />
lives outside Washington, DC with her husband and two children.<br />
www.thisismybrave.org @thisismybrave 17
THIS IS MY BRAVE<br />
RESEARCH<br />
DR. KRISTIN KOSYLUK<br />
Lead Researcher<br />
Kristin Kosyluk is an Assistant Professor of Mental Health Law and Policy at the University of South Florida in the College<br />
of Behavioral and Community Sciences. She also directs the STigma Action Research (STAR) Lab at USF. The STAR Lab<br />
conducts community-engaged research aimed at understanding and addressing the stigma surrounding mental illness<br />
in order to promote recovery among people living with mental illness.<br />
Kristin has served as the lead evaluator of This Is My Brave’s programming for the past eight years, and she has produced<br />
two College Edition Shows at USF. Eliminating the stigma around mental illness in order to promote treatment seeking<br />
and recovery and prevent suicide is Kristin’s passion, fueled by her clinical experiences as well as her own experiences<br />
with depression and anxiety and those of friends and loved ones.<br />
When Kristin is not conducting stigma research or teaching the amazing students at USF about recovery and evidencebased<br />
practices, her greatest joy is spending time with her husband, David, and six-year-old daughter, Emma. Kristin is a<br />
lover of crafting, especially crochet and dollhouse miniatures.<br />
18
IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE HELP<br />
PLEASE CALL 911<br />
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known<br />
as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) provides<br />
free and confidential emotional support to people in<br />
suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day,<br />
7 days a week, across the United States.<br />
CALL OR TEXT THE LIFELINE ANYTIME, 24/7.<br />
Línea de Prevención del Suicidio y Crisis: 1-888-628-9454<br />
OPTIONS FOR DEAF + HARD OF HEARING<br />
For TTY Users:<br />
Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.<br />
THE CRISIS TEXT LINE CAN BE ACCESSED<br />
BY TEXTING:<br />
STORY TO 741-741<br />
Envía un mensaje de texto con la palabra AYUDA al 741741 para<br />
comunicarte de manera gratuita con un Consejero de Crisis.<br />
TAKE A MENTAL<br />
HEALTH TEST TODAY.<br />
Online screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to<br />
determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental<br />
health condition.<br />
Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real,<br />
common and treatable. And recovery is possible.<br />
Scan the QR code to access 10+ free mental health tests today.<br />
www.thisismybrave.org<br />
@thisismybrave<br />
19
THIS IS MY BRAVE<br />
HISTORY<br />
FROM A BLOG TO A SHOW<br />
In August of 2011, more than six years after Jennifer<br />
Marshall’s bipolar disorder first surfaced, she decided<br />
to start a blog. It became a place where she turned to<br />
write about her life as a wife and young mom to two<br />
small kids, and writing helped her begin to heal. She<br />
titled it: Bipolar Mom Life. Jennifer wrote anonymously<br />
at first, because she was afraid of being judged. She<br />
also worried that disclosing her mental illness may make<br />
future employment opportunities difficult. For eighteen<br />
months, Jennifer wrote and found community online.<br />
Other writers who were openly sharing their stories of<br />
overcoming mental illness inspired her, and when she<br />
landed her first paid writing job, Jennifer decided to stop<br />
hiding behind a pen name.<br />
When WhatToExpect.com published her first article with<br />
Jennifer’s byline, it was also picked up by AOL.com (the<br />
parent company). The outpouring of support and gratitude<br />
when that piece hit the Internet with her real name was<br />
overwhelming. She knew immediately that disclosing was<br />
the right decision. She could finally talk about all parts of<br />
her life, and not just the shiny, fun moments.<br />
About six months later, Jennifer had the idea to launch<br />
a theater show. A simple storytelling show where<br />
individuals from the community could tell their stories<br />
through creative expression to break down the stigma<br />
associated with mental illness. She wanted to give<br />
individuals from the community the same opportunity<br />
she had – a stage on which to share their story of living<br />
a successful life despite mental illness. Jennifer met her<br />
Co-Founder, Anne Marie Ames, at a mutual friend’s party<br />
and recruited her to help put the project out to the world.<br />
Jennifer and Anne Marie launched This Is My Brave<br />
on Kickstarter in October of 2013 and the excitement<br />
surrounding the project grew and grew. They offered<br />
tickets to the first show and handmade “BRAVE”<br />
bracelets, among other items, as rewards for financial<br />
pledges of support. Within 31 days, the campaign had<br />
surpassed their goal of $6,500 to fund the first show,<br />
ending up with over $10,000 in contributions. It was clear<br />
that the community wanted to help bring this show to life<br />
– they believed in the vision and Jennifer and Anne Marie<br />
were dedicated to delivering an exceptional production.<br />
After the success of the debut show in 2014, Jennifer<br />
and Anne Marie began receiving interest from<br />
individuals in other cities to bring the show to their<br />
community. This Is My Brave, Inc was formed as a<br />
501(c)(3) and the organization began to expand<br />
to new cities through the support of volunteers<br />
willing to donate their time and expertise to<br />
coordinate shows.<br />
Photo credit: Jim Folliard<br />
20
“I finally feel comfortable with my mental<br />
health story in a way I never have before.<br />
Like the power it used to hold over me is gone.”<br />
ERIN TROIA, 2018 ARLINGTON STORYTELLER<br />
FROM ONE SHOW TO NATIONWIDE + AUSTRALIA<br />
Since 2014, This Is My Brave has produced more than 90<br />
unique shows in cities across the United States featuring<br />
over 1000 storytellers sharing true, personal stories on<br />
overcoming depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD,<br />
psychosis, OCD, postpartum depression, borderline<br />
personality disorder, dissociative identity disorder,<br />
trichotillomania, anorexia, bulimia, sexual assault,<br />
alcoholism, substance use disorder and more.<br />
In 2017, This Is My Brave expanded internationally with the<br />
help of mental health advocate Tim Daly, who leads our<br />
NPO in Canberra, Australia – This Is My Brave Australia,<br />
or TIMBA for short.<br />
Jennifer and Anne Marie may have created the space<br />
for these brave stories to exist, but This Is My Brave<br />
wouldn’t be the incredible community it is if it weren’t<br />
for all the amazing people who have bravely come<br />
forward to share their stories. “It’s my opinion that we<br />
won’t be able to end the stigma surrounding mental<br />
illness and addiction until we put our names and faces<br />
on our stories,” says Jennifer.<br />
THIS IS MY BRAVE<br />
IS DOING THIS<br />
ONE PERSON<br />
& ONE STORY<br />
AT A TIME<br />
www.thisismybrave.org @thisismybrave 21
THIS IS MY BRAVE’S<br />
PROGRAMS<br />
THIS IS MY BRAVE IS MORE THAN JUST A SHOW...<br />
• Opportunities for transformation and community building<br />
• Youth and young adult initiatives<br />
• Virtual programming<br />
• Inspirational speakers bureau<br />
• Integral research on the power of storytelling<br />
VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO LEARN MORE<br />
DESTIGMATIZING<br />
MENTAL ILLNESS<br />
ONE PERSON AND<br />
ONE STORY AT A TIME<br />
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THIS IS MY BRAVE’S IMPACT<br />
Since 2014, This Is My Brave has...<br />
produced<br />
90<br />
shows<br />
with over<br />
1000<br />
storytellers<br />
18,500+<br />
audience<br />
members<br />
2022<br />
College Edition - USF<br />
New Hampshire<br />
Broward County, FL<br />
in 53 cities and 300k<br />
Los Angeles, CA<br />
2019<br />
in the U.S. YouTube<br />
Philadelphia, PA<br />
High School Edition Pilot<br />
and Australia video views<br />
Stories from the College College Edition Pilot<br />
Athlete Community* Baltimore, MD<br />
New York City, NY<br />
2016<br />
DeKalb, IL<br />
Concord, NH<br />
Orlando, FL<br />
Arlington, VA<br />
Eagle Valley, CO<br />
DeKalb, IL<br />
Philadelphia, PA<br />
Baltimore, MD<br />
Stories from the<br />
Houston, TX<br />
Veteran Community*<br />
Sterling, VA<br />
Denver, CO - Spring<br />
Orlando, FL<br />
•<br />
•<br />
Denver, CO - Fall<br />
Columbus, OH<br />
2021<br />
2017<br />
Greenville, SC<br />
Carroll County, MD<br />
Stories from the<br />
Bentonville, AR<br />
Iowa City, IA<br />
Black Community - vol 1*<br />
Northwest AR<br />
Boise, ID<br />
Oklahoma City, OK<br />
Stories from the<br />
Boise, ID<br />
Boston, MA<br />
Valparaiso, IN<br />
Black Community - vol 2* •<br />
Canberra, Australia<br />
Washington, DC<br />
College Edition - season 2* 2018<br />
Cedar Rapids, IA<br />
•<br />
New Hampshire*<br />
Arlington, VA - Spring D.C. Women’s Summit, 2015<br />
National Teen Show*<br />
Arlington, VA - Fall<br />
Washington, DC<br />
Arlington, VA<br />
Stories from the<br />
Baltimore, MD<br />
Des Moines, IA<br />
Boston, MA<br />
APIDA Community*<br />
Bentonville, AR<br />
Germantown, MD<br />
Harrisburg, PA<br />
BraveTV*<br />
Bethesda, MD<br />
Jacksonville, FL<br />
Iowa City, IA<br />
Brave Beyond the Stage* Boise, ID<br />
Kansas City, MO<br />
Los Angeles, CA<br />
#BraveDays*<br />
Boston, MA - Spring<br />
Lewiston, ME<br />
New York City, NY<br />
•<br />
Boston, MA - Fall<br />
Los Angeles, CA - Spring<br />
2020<br />
Charlotte, NC - Spring Los Angeles, CA - Fall 2014<br />
BraveTV pilot*<br />
Charlotte, NC - Fall<br />
Napa, CA<br />
Arlington, VA<br />
Napa Valley<br />
Elkins Park, PA<br />
Perth, Australia<br />
& St Helena, CA<br />
Ft. Lauderdale, FL<br />
Sedona, AZ<br />
Houston, TX*<br />
Iowa City, IA<br />
Valparaiso, IN<br />
St Louis, MO*<br />
Lansing, MI<br />
Washington, DC<br />
Washington, DC-area* Los Angeles, CA<br />
Wheeling, WV<br />
Hampton Roads, VA*<br />
Mullumbimby, Australia<br />
* indicates virtual programming<br />
New Hampshire*<br />
www.thisismybrave.org 23<br />
www.thisismybrave.org<br />
@thisismybrave @thisismybrave<br />
23
SUPPORT<br />
THIS IS MY BRAVE TODAY!<br />
Were you inspired, moved, or transformed by<br />
WHAT YOU HEARD ON STAGE TODAY?<br />
Are you ready to join the<br />
movement and help end<br />
the stigma surrounding<br />
MENTAL ILLNESS?<br />
Your tax-deductible gift helps build a trusted platform for individuals<br />
to share their stories of recovery from mental illness and addiction.<br />
YOUR GIFT ALLOWS SOMEONE TO BE BRAVE.<br />
Scan this QR code now<br />
Join as a<br />
to make a one-time donation<br />
right from your phone<br />
https://bit.ly/donatebrave<br />
and become a sustaining member<br />
for as little as $10 per month.<br />
https://bit.ly/BraveChampion<br />
YOUR GIFT PROVIDES PEOPLE LIVING WITH MENTAL<br />
ILLNESS THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME FORWARD<br />
AND SHARE THEIR STORIES, BOLDLY AND BRAVELY.