Have you ever stood in a crowded room, surrounded by hundreds of people – even your closest friends – yet felt completely and utterly alone? Have you found yourself at the concert (or event) of your dreams, only to have depression or anxiety show up uninvited, threatening to ruin the one thing you’ve been looking forward to for so long? Or perhaps you’ve attended a gathering, such as a Sunday morning church service, where everyone greets you with a smile and commentary about the beautiful day making you feel like a fraud because your thoughts have been consumed with ways to disappear forever just to make the pain go away.
Over the years I have experienced each of these scenarios, totally convinced there wasn’t a single soul on earth who could possibly understand or relate to what was happening inside me. I simply forced a smile and tried to make the best of it because I didn’t want to ruin anyone else’s good time. The fear of being labeled the “downer” or being judged for struggling, forced me to keep my battles to myself. The truth is, there are people around us every single day who are silently fighting battles that we are completely unaware of. People who are at a show, in church, in our homes and our workplace, smiling on the outside, but slowly dying on the inside. People who are afraid to share how they feel because of past judgment or because they believe they’re crazy or that no one would understand or even care. It’s a scary and lonely place to be.
That’s why it’s so important to me to support organizations like HeartSupport, which consists of people who have been there, who genuinely care and can empathize as they stand alongside people in need of support. I love that they are actively present in the music scene, interacting with and encouraging people to open up. How awesome is it that you can show up to a concert and find mental health support from people who get it and care? It’s a beautiful gift to offer a safe place to open up, to feel seen and heard and validated. I’ve watched people as they’ve read the Support wall, offered encouragement, and returned at the end of the day to connect with other music fans over their shared struggles. They walked into a festival feeling alone, but left feeling seen and heard with a resource for follow up support. The volunteers not only listen, but they can point people toward the peer support program where they are matched with trained peer volunteers who can follow up with continued support.
HeartSupport is completely donor funded and largely run by volunteers. It’s an amazing community of people who genuinely care and want to make an impact. They work endless hours at the country‘s largest festivals, as well as setting up in their communities at smaller shows, all in an effort to connect with people who are struggling and help heal the music scene. They are building a community where regardless of your background, you are safe to open up and no longer feel like you have to carry your burdens alone.
This is why it would mean the world to me if you would consider making a contribution to my fundraiser so they can attend more festivals and reach more people. I know all too well the pain, loneliness, fear, and shame of a mental health crisis. I’d rather run for hours on end than go through another episode of depression alone. That’s why as I run on Saturday, I’ll be thinking about how grateful I am that HeartSupport exists. I’ll be reflecting on all of the stories people have shared with me throughout the years, the support I was able to give others who were hurting, the hugs and moments of connection, understanding, and relief that occur when two people open up about similar struggles. I’ll be reflecting on my own mental health struggles with gratitude for the people who stepped out of their comfort zone to check in with me and give me the gift of their presence and compassion. When it gets really difficult to keep moving, I’ll think of the countless people currently struggling just to get through another day.
Despite how impossible and overwhelming it may feel, one step at a time we CAN get through this. But we need people who are willing to step up to the plate either by volunteering or donating, so that more people can be reached and reassured that they are in fact worthy of living, that they are valued and loved, they have a purpose, and they truly do matter. Now more than ever we need to be there for each other. Your love and compassion truly does make a difference.
Please check out this link — https://mhca.funraise.org/fundraiser/deanne-maopolski to donate to my fundraiser and check out heartsupport.com to learn more about the organization and how you can help.
