National Women’s History Month is a time to honor the women who came before us and fought for equality among all races and genders. During the month of March, let’s take the time to celebrate women’s past and present contributions to history, culture and society. In an effort to help spread awareness, we are honoring and celebrating women mental health changemakers who continue to advocate for change and support people in need.  

More than a walking group, GirlTrek is a life-saving sisterhood. GirlTrek is a campaign to heal intergenerational trauma, fight systemic racism and transform Black lives. As women organize walking teams, they also mobilize community members to support advocacy efforts and lead a Civil Rights-inspired health movement.

GirlTrek has become one of the most effective public health interventions in the country. Thank you GirlTrek for continuing to advocate for systems change.

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Chrissy Metz is an actress, singer, and author who is known for role as Kate Pearson on the award-winning TV series, “This Is Us.” She is also a New York Times best-selling author.  Chrissy opens up in her book, “This Is Me,” describing her childhood, lessons, and how she lives her best life. She proudly discusses her experience with therapy and shares that she has learned much about herself, her self-worth, and how to address her well-being.

Chrissy continues to show up authentically by sharing her experiences to empower others to address their feelings and find guidance to face past trauma. In her powerful personal letter to her teenage self, she highlights the importance of self-love.

“We are all on our own journey and YOU are the driver. There will be bumps in the road, detours to be taken and pit stops will have to be made, but you’ve got to fill ‘er up and keep going. You will lose your map, but never your intuition.” –  Chrissy Metz

Thank you Chrissy for sharing your experiences and for being honest and transparent which helps support people struggling with different emotions.

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Elyse Fox is the founder of Sad Girls Club, a non-profit organization working to support and destigmatize mental health care for women of color. Sad Girls Club has become a go-to resource for those seeking mental health tips, wellness content, and community on Instagram. Elyse describes her experiences living with depression and navigating relationships with others and herself. She uses that to advocate for women, especially women of color, who might not have the resources or space to face their mental health experiences.

“At first, I didn’t want to be the face of depression or to talk about these things. But every time I opened up my mouth and said a sentence that showed a little bit of vulnerability, someone reached out and said that this impacted them in a positive way.” –Elyse Fox

Elyse– you are truly a changemaker! Thank you for creating a space and community to uplift others.

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Brenda Ferber is one of Crisis Text Line’s volunteer Crisis Counselors. She was selected as one of our amazing changemakers due to her inspiration and guidance to families struggling with mental illness. An award-winning children’s book author, she is a mother to three grown children. Brenda and her daughter Faith (a former Crisis Text Line volunteer and now a Licensed Social Worker and Therapist) started a TikTok channel called Stigma Smashers.   Together, they talk openly and empathically about mental illness and the challenges parents face when raising kids with mental illness. Their goal is to help end the stigma surrounding mental illness.  Brenda is currently working on a memoir called “Keeping Faith,” which highlights her journey helping her daughter navigate mental illness.

“Working together as a mother-daughter duo has been a delight. Faith almost didn’t make it out of high school alive, due to mental illness, so this project is extra special for us.” – Brenda Ferber

Thank you Brenda (and your daughter) for helping to fight mental health stigma.

Looking to make a difference? Interested in supporting people in need? Join Crisis Text Line’s community of volunteer Crisis Counselors today!