Everyminute.org

I want to thank you all for your help in making this campaign a success. Through the time I have spent in mental health advocacy I have worked with many wonderful individuals. Each has their own story of survival whether it be a struggle with their own, a family member's or just a dear friend's mental illness.

I have spoken at events to thousands of people from all walks of life. It touches me the deepest when I hear from a "consumer" in the audience that this is the first time they believe recovery is possible. It also saddens me when I hear that from professionals in the industry. When the professionals have given up hope it is nearly impossible to instill that desire in their clients. Speaking with police officers has been inspiring. They are empathetic and want to understand how to help, not just for themselves and the own safety but truly help the people they are working with. Our jails are being used as defacto institutions because people don't have access to treatment any other way. The costs of treatment in the current standard is skyrocketing, yet we are not putting for the funding to find better options.

I have heard over and over the amount of time it has taken for someone to stabilize this illness, and how many times people have recovered only to falter again, some have lost hope and have fallen victims to this illness, but still others have stood tall and found inside themselves the will to stay in the fight. We cannot say what it is from one to another what definitively causes this illness yet or how to treat it. This drives me to find the answers that will help us overcome this illness. To have answers that we can and will build on with the support and understanding of our peers. To pave the way for preventative care plans, and create treatments for the illness rather than masking the symptoms. Our children deserve that.

We have received several stories from survivors that I would like to share with you and encourage you to send us any of yours your willing to share. I would love to have video, personal written stories or even a voice recording. That we could share with others to let them know they are not alone.

Please sign our Declaration and join us in telling the nation that we care and we demand answers.

Thank you and God Bless

Michael Corbin