It's been a year since Taking off the Taboo was launched, and I'm so thankful for your continued support. I'm please to say that so far we've raised over $2800 for the CMHA, and are 11% towards the goal of $25000! There's a long way to go, but it's a great start!
I am very encouraged to see the increased focus that mental health has been given in the last year, both in the media and in personal conversations. It seems that people are finally waking up to the need to have public discussion about mental health - a first step in tearing down the stigma that surrounds these illnesses. The stereotypes and prejudice that are associated with mental health are often what prevent sufferers from seeking the help they need, and for most of us examining our own stigma is the single most important thing we can do to help.
However, while a positive step, talking is just the beginning. We need to do more to engage with this problem that affects us all. There are so many positive initiatives across the country, both big and small, and this is wonderful to see. Hearing other people's personal stories, and seeing the efforts that have been made, has motivated me to really pick up the pace on my own campaign. We need to keep up the conversation and the action, both now and in the future.
As with any on-going campaign, the biggest challenge is probably maintaining momentum, followed closely by keeping the goal in sight. This project is no different, and I must admit that I have not been as diligent and dedicated to it in the past year as I set out to be. It's been bothering me why I have been unable to properly follow through on a cause I believe in, and have a very personal connection to. I have been doing some thinking about why this is, and feel I can offer some explanation to you, the supporters, as to why there has been some lack of motivation on my part.
First of all, I hate asking for money, even though it's a worthy cause. It makes me uncomfortable, and it's probably why I was a terrible sales person the one winter I tried it as a part time job - I genuinely loathe solicitation! Further to that, while mental health is becoming slightly more mainstream at least in some circles, it is still difficult to make the voice for this cause heard among the sea of so many other worthy ones. Cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's - people have grown to be comfortable talking about these issues, and asking for support in fund raising for them. It is not yet so for mental health. Everyone has a mother, brother, sister, cousin, friend who has been affected by mental illness as well (1 in 5 Canadians will be), and yet, it is still uncomfortable for some people to openly discuss it, much less solicit money for the cause. For some it's even uncomfortable to "like" a Facebook page that seeks to discuss these health issues. However, I've realized that these are poor excuses to not speak up louder; in fact they are the very reasons we should raise our voices. Lastly, I've realized that there was something about my particular mission that was holding me back, and making it hard for me to promote it, and I've decided to do something about this.
A recap on the background of the campaign... When I initially came up with this idea, the trip I'm taking at the end of it all was going to be funded by a third party, and as such was an incidental, symbolic gesture to culminate the campaign; more of a tribute to commemorate my mother than anything else. The $25000 goal for the campaign was symbolic of the total cost of doing this trip, but the fundraising would otherwise have nothing to do with the trip itself. When this funding was withdrawn just prior to launching the campaign last year, I was faced with the options of cancelling the whole idea, or adapting to fund raise for the trip as well, and I chose the latter option. I had decided to hold various smaller fundraisers and split the proceeds 50/50 between the CMHA and the trip until I reached the $10000 mark (less than half of the cost). I never felt good about doing that, and I realize that it was a mistake to do so. I don't want to have any ambiguity as to the objective of this campaign, and especially don't want to leave the impression that this in any which way is for my own personal benefit.
As such, I have decided that every fundraiser that I undertake from now on for the CMHA will be only for the CMHA, and towards my $25000 goal. I will most likely try and do some fundraising of my own for the trip as well, but it will be carried out separately and independently, and completely clear that the monies raised there will go to off-setting the trip costs. I still believe in the trip as a gesture, symbolic and challenging, as well as deeply personal to me. I also hope to write a story about the journey that perhaps people will want to read, and in doing so will draw more attention to the cause. For those that supported the previous fundraisers - wine and cheese, and the raffle - the money (approximately $1300) that I was holding in a separate account for the trip will now go towards the cost of the grand finale fundraiser next year. I have already booked a venue and using these funds to offset the cost of the rental fee will ensure that more proceeds from the event go directly to the CMHA. Stay tuned for details on this exciting event in the days to come!
With this decision made, I feel relieved and one hundred times more motivated to take this project head on again. I have had such amazing support and help this year - some of it from the most unexpected places. My sincerest thanks to Rob McCormack for making the fantastic raffle tickets; Brock Weir of Weir Designs for the awesome Taking Off the Taboo logo; Jenny Faucher of Managing Matters for her amazing insight into event planning, and guidance for the event next year; Wade Gilpin of Sherpa Creative for his tremendous help with the look of next year's event, and countless other friends who have lent their hands, ears, and support throughout the year. On that note, I'd like to take this opportunity to make an open solicitation for more help in the year ahead... The grand finale of this particular fundraising goal will be a music themed event next October - I'll be assembling a team in the next few months, and welcome any and all assistance, in whatever form it may come.
I thank you for your continued support, and for sharing your stories about how mental health affects you. It is so inspiring to see how much more public the discussion has become, even just in the last year. If you haven't already done so, I invite you to "like" the Taking Off the Taboo Facebook page - though it may seem like a small and perhaps insignificant gesture, the more exposure this issue has, the better for mental health awareness as a whole. As always, if you're looking for somewhere to put your donation dollars, you can contribute to the CMHA through the link below!
I am very encouraged to see the increased focus that mental health has been given in the last year, both in the media and in personal conversations. It seems that people are finally waking up to the need to have public discussion about mental health - a first step in tearing down the stigma that surrounds these illnesses. The stereotypes and prejudice that are associated with mental health are often what prevent sufferers from seeking the help they need, and for most of us examining our own stigma is the single most important thing we can do to help.
However, while a positive step, talking is just the beginning. We need to do more to engage with this problem that affects us all. There are so many positive initiatives across the country, both big and small, and this is wonderful to see. Hearing other people's personal stories, and seeing the efforts that have been made, has motivated me to really pick up the pace on my own campaign. We need to keep up the conversation and the action, both now and in the future.
As with any on-going campaign, the biggest challenge is probably maintaining momentum, followed closely by keeping the goal in sight. This project is no different, and I must admit that I have not been as diligent and dedicated to it in the past year as I set out to be. It's been bothering me why I have been unable to properly follow through on a cause I believe in, and have a very personal connection to. I have been doing some thinking about why this is, and feel I can offer some explanation to you, the supporters, as to why there has been some lack of motivation on my part.
First of all, I hate asking for money, even though it's a worthy cause. It makes me uncomfortable, and it's probably why I was a terrible sales person the one winter I tried it as a part time job - I genuinely loathe solicitation! Further to that, while mental health is becoming slightly more mainstream at least in some circles, it is still difficult to make the voice for this cause heard among the sea of so many other worthy ones. Cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's - people have grown to be comfortable talking about these issues, and asking for support in fund raising for them. It is not yet so for mental health. Everyone has a mother, brother, sister, cousin, friend who has been affected by mental illness as well (1 in 5 Canadians will be), and yet, it is still uncomfortable for some people to openly discuss it, much less solicit money for the cause. For some it's even uncomfortable to "like" a Facebook page that seeks to discuss these health issues. However, I've realized that these are poor excuses to not speak up louder; in fact they are the very reasons we should raise our voices. Lastly, I've realized that there was something about my particular mission that was holding me back, and making it hard for me to promote it, and I've decided to do something about this.
A recap on the background of the campaign... When I initially came up with this idea, the trip I'm taking at the end of it all was going to be funded by a third party, and as such was an incidental, symbolic gesture to culminate the campaign; more of a tribute to commemorate my mother than anything else. The $25000 goal for the campaign was symbolic of the total cost of doing this trip, but the fundraising would otherwise have nothing to do with the trip itself. When this funding was withdrawn just prior to launching the campaign last year, I was faced with the options of cancelling the whole idea, or adapting to fund raise for the trip as well, and I chose the latter option. I had decided to hold various smaller fundraisers and split the proceeds 50/50 between the CMHA and the trip until I reached the $10000 mark (less than half of the cost). I never felt good about doing that, and I realize that it was a mistake to do so. I don't want to have any ambiguity as to the objective of this campaign, and especially don't want to leave the impression that this in any which way is for my own personal benefit.
As such, I have decided that every fundraiser that I undertake from now on for the CMHA will be only for the CMHA, and towards my $25000 goal. I will most likely try and do some fundraising of my own for the trip as well, but it will be carried out separately and independently, and completely clear that the monies raised there will go to off-setting the trip costs. I still believe in the trip as a gesture, symbolic and challenging, as well as deeply personal to me. I also hope to write a story about the journey that perhaps people will want to read, and in doing so will draw more attention to the cause. For those that supported the previous fundraisers - wine and cheese, and the raffle - the money (approximately $1300) that I was holding in a separate account for the trip will now go towards the cost of the grand finale fundraiser next year. I have already booked a venue and using these funds to offset the cost of the rental fee will ensure that more proceeds from the event go directly to the CMHA. Stay tuned for details on this exciting event in the days to come!
With this decision made, I feel relieved and one hundred times more motivated to take this project head on again. I have had such amazing support and help this year - some of it from the most unexpected places. My sincerest thanks to Rob McCormack for making the fantastic raffle tickets; Brock Weir of Weir Designs for the awesome Taking Off the Taboo logo; Jenny Faucher of Managing Matters for her amazing insight into event planning, and guidance for the event next year; Wade Gilpin of Sherpa Creative for his tremendous help with the look of next year's event, and countless other friends who have lent their hands, ears, and support throughout the year. On that note, I'd like to take this opportunity to make an open solicitation for more help in the year ahead... The grand finale of this particular fundraising goal will be a music themed event next October - I'll be assembling a team in the next few months, and welcome any and all assistance, in whatever form it may come.
I thank you for your continued support, and for sharing your stories about how mental health affects you. It is so inspiring to see how much more public the discussion has become, even just in the last year. If you haven't already done so, I invite you to "like" the Taking Off the Taboo Facebook page - though it may seem like a small and perhaps insignificant gesture, the more exposure this issue has, the better for mental health awareness as a whole. As always, if you're looking for somewhere to put your donation dollars, you can contribute to the CMHA through the link below!