IYKYK HIGHLIGHT

“I was assaulted while at college in Tallahassee. My dad brought me home so my family could care for me but I slipped into a year-long battle with extreme depression as a result of the trauma. Thankfully, my mom helped me find a therapist to help me heal. Often times people are wearing masks. You don’t know what battles they are facing. As you look at my picture here, I look happy

“If you know, you know” (IYKYK) to get to the heart of this issue. #IYKYK builds upon a social media trend that highlights shared or lived experiences and uplifts real-life stories of recovery, hope, and healing. The campaign amplifies the many inspiring voices of those that have, and continue to, utilize a variety of approaches to managing their mental health, and encourage others to start that same journey.

This work is complex and requires all of us to make a meaningful difference. In the next year, we are expanding our programs geographically and demographically to increase the number of individuals we reach, including more focus on youth. Mental Health is vital to our ability to thrive; mental health is health. Thank you for your continued support in our work. The mental health of our community depends on supporters like you.

With deep appreciation,

Carrie Zeisse President & CEO Tampa Bay Thrives

and carefree. But I’m not. This was one of the lowest periods of my life. I still go to therapy monthly and I’m at a great place in my life. I always make a point to check in with my friends and to talk openly about mental health. Mental health isn’t often spoken about in the black community but I hope to change that by normalizing conversations around mental health — in every community.”