our founder's personal story for starting OUR advocacy movement:
Dear corporate America, your Lack of empathy IS making it hard for me to stay alive
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"If I didn't leave my job, I was going to die. In fact, I almost did. I'm not alone.
After I got laid off because I couldn't work because of a severe bipolar depressive episode, I continued to spiral down into a deeper, darker and lonelier black hole. And I tried to take my own life. Because of mental health stigma, a lack of empathy in my workplace, being pushed into mania with inhumane work hours and then a subsequent depression — they call it bipolar for a reason — in a setting with no mental health programs or supports in place, Corporate America almost killed me. Almost. I'm not asking for an apology or for pity. Rather, I'm asking you to please read my personal journey, the why behind this global social-change campaign advocating for stigma free workplaces, published in AwareNow by AwarenessTies in partnership with ISSUU. And, that you do so with an open mind, compassionate soul and empathic heart. With gratitude and with hope for us all." - Kerry Martin, Founder & suicide survivor living with bipolar disorder | NOW A mental health activist building a world where WE all can we feel worthy |
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