EMOTIONAL RELIEF FUND: WHY THIS, WHY NOW?

I'm excited to share the official launch of a new organization for which I'm a Founding Board Member.? Our organization, EMOTIONAL RELIEF FUND (https://www.emotionalrelieffund.org/ ), is dedicated to raising money to provide financial support for teen mental health therapy. The inception of this incredible initiative is rooted in the unwavering dedication of my friends, Kevin and Kate Bang. From the very beginning, they recognized the enormity of the challenge we face. Yet, their unwavering mantra remains: one child, one family at a time, we can make a difference. Their resilient spirit has been the foundation and a driving force behind our organization's formation. I am happy to join them on this journey!

This organization is a passion of mine as I've seen the impact that mental health challenges can have on teenagers. There are so many potential triggers that teens are faced with. From social pressures and anxiety, to academic driven pressures and depression, to managing disabilities, both visible and invisible, the sources of mental health issues have never been greater on our children. Many times these causes are simply ignored. That in itself is heartbreaking. Even worse though is when the child and/or family takes the critical step to get care, but the inevitable financial realities get in the way. This is what we are striving to impact and we do it one child at a time!

I know that I'm not alone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in five adolescents in the United States experiences a mental health disorder each year. However, only about one-third of those adolescents receive treatment. Many of us have experienced this heartbreak. There are so many individual stories and yet there is one common thread. “If only we could have gotten the child the help they needed.” At Emotional Relief Fund, we know that we simply must try!

That is why I'm so passionate about the Emotional Relief Fund. We believe that every teenager deserves access to the mental health care that they need. And we're committed to making that happen. We know this is a big problem and we know solving it at scale is an even bigger challenge. Nonetheless, we are committed to helping as many families as we can, and that work starts now!

We've already done a lot of work to get this organization off the ground.?

• Our website is launched at: https://www.emotionalrelieffund.org/ ??
• We have begun building out our provider network and we are ready to fund support for actual care.?
• We have developed a patient criteria evaluation grid
• To date we have raised meaningful dollars to allow us to launch ERF and begin to help fund care. We also know we've only just gotten started.
• We have developed a process for both patient and provider intake?
• We are NOW ready to field applications and help children get the care they need

We are in the early stages, we are making great progress, but still there is so much work to be done. If this resonates, and you're interested in getting involved, there are a few things you can do. Every little bit helps, and together, we can make a difference in the lives of teenagers who are struggling with their mental health.

Here are a few ways you can get involved:

• Donate to our organization. Your donation will help us provide mental health care to teens who need it most. Go to: https://www.emotionalrelieffund.org/donate/ ?
• Volunteer your time. We are growing our board and have big ideas for what this can be. Please reach out to me at [email protected] and we can talk about ways to get involved.
• Spread the word. Tell your friends, family, and colleagues about our organization and our mission. Follow us on social media. Share, like, and engage with us across all of our platforms.

This is a big and hard problem. I am filled with hope and enthusiasm as we embark on this mission. Join us as we work to create a brighter future for our teens, one where their mental health is valued and nurtured.? Together, we can make a difference in the lives of teenagers who are struggling.?Thank you for your support!