By: Jordan Corcoran, Owner and Founder of Listen Lucy
This week may be Mental Illness Awareness Week, but every week is Mental Health Awareness Week at Listen, Lucy.
When I started this organization over 10 years ago, I set out to directly impact as many individuals as possible through sharing my story of living with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder. I have worked tirelessly to educate on how stigma impacts those trying to seek help and normalize this conversation to help people find the resources available to cope with life in a healthy, productive way.
It is no secret that we are in a mental health crisis. It is no secret that the fall out from the pandemic is still happening and we are all trying to learn, adjust, and adapt. It is no secret that our kids have been so deeply impacted and are suffering. Because of this, I am elevating my efforts and hosting my very first conference geared towards middle school kids, Camp Lucy.
Join my accomplished friends and me for a day of mental wellness. Camp Lucy will be full of inspiring stories, relatable content, free and effective coping techniques, good food, great friends, fresh air, and special memories. Camp Lucy will show middle school students and their teachers how to prioritize their mental health and have meaningful conversations about important topics while embracing the beauty of the world around them.
Through my years of traveling the country and visiting so many different demographics, I have witnessed first-hand how financial restrictions can not only limit life-saving resources, but pivotal experiences like mental health speakers and assemblies that can help kids feel seen and heard and also give them permission to speak up and ask for the help they have been looking for. I don’t want this restriction to exist when it comes to Camp Lucy. My goal is to raise the money to cover the cost of the conference so that each school can attend for free.
The work to make this happen is difficult and the road is long, but there is no question it will be worth it. There are so many incredible resources, organizations, and individuals in Pittsburgh that are making waves and causing change in the mental health space. Bringing everyone together to spend a day with our youth sounds like a dream that I can’t wait to make a reality.
Our mental health matters. This conversation matters. If we don’t prioritize it for our kids to show them the way, who will?
As healthcare professionals, the members of the Allegheny County Medical Society see, firsthand, how much mental health resources are needed in the community. I invite you to share this opportunity with your patients, colleagues, and inner circles. If you feel inclined to help support this project, even a small donation is a helpful step towards making Camp Lucy a reality.