Mary Brougher Mental Health Initiative

Build a mental fitness routine and become a
mental health advocate.

It’s time we recognize mental health as a part of overall wellness.

  • 1 in 4 Adults have a Mental Health Disability.
  • 7 of 10 Teens Report Mental Health Struggles.
  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death in young people between the ages of 15-24.
  • Students with disabilities are at increased risk of being bullied. Bullying is linked to mental health concerns and increased risk for suicide related behavior.
  • Only 20% of Youth with Mental Health Disabilities Receive Care from Mental Health Providers.
Program Objectives

Mental Fitness Training

  • Become empowered to talk about Mental Health.
  • Engage in Healthy Mind Habits that build skills in self-compassion, coping, and resiliency.
  • Learn to identify and understand emotions and what they tell us.
  • Explore where thoughts come from and how to process them in a healthy way.

Mental Health Advocacy

  • Understand what it means to be an advocate.
  • Learn about current civil rights issues for people with mental health disabilities.
  • Hear presentations from community partners about mental health advocacy.
  • Explore actions that youth advocates can take to bring about change that addresses stigma of mental health.

#NotAshamed Campaign

  • Reduce stigma around mental health disabilities.
  • Empower youth with mental health disabilities to take pride in who they are.
  • Create a community of allies dedicated to ending myths around mental health disability.
  • Celebrate the intersectionality of the lived experience and mental health disability.
#NotAshamed Logo
Workplace Applications

Mental fitness and advocacy strategies build skills and competencies valued in today’s workforce.

Leadership Skills

Self-Efficacy

Ability to Overcome Challenges

Problem Solving

Responding to Criticism

Relationship Building

Conflict Resolution

Initiative

Civic Engagement

Mary Brougher: A Life Lived with Purpose
A Life Lived with Purpose
Mary Brougher - Signing I love you

Mary Brougher served as the President of Bender Consulting Services, Inc. and as a Board Director for Bender Leadership Academy.

She was a founding team member of the original volunteer program and was instrumental in early curriculum development and program oversight.

A visionary, Mary dedicated her life to bringing down barriers and eradicated stigma for people with disabilities. A woman living with mental health disability, Mary was a strong advocate for others to talk about mental health and take action to educate others about mental health disabilities.

We must create a world where mental fitness conversations are as commonplace as those about nutrition and exercise. It is only by sharing the message that both mental and physical fitness are a part of quality of life that we can break down stigma.
Mary Brougher
Ways to be Involved
  • Submit a video as a part of our #NotAshamed campaign
  • Enroll for Bender Leadership Academy programming (available for youth with disabilities)
  • Apply to become a volunteer speaker (subjects include mental health and disability advocacy, mental wellness, career readiness, and leadership)
  • Become a funder
  • Become a community partner

Contact Us