In 2012 her best friend ended her life. Before her death, her family and friends were at a loss of what to do. There was and still is such a stigma about mental illness. She did the best they could at trying to protect her but their hands were really tied. Fast forward to fall of 2015, Michelle was sitting in the Walmart parking lot thinking about her best friend and her love for elephants that not many knew about. She had an elephant in her room that was broken a few days before her death. This spoke to her that day.
Everyone knows that mental illness is real and suicide is a heartbreaking way out but no one seems to be comfortable enough to talk about it or know how to - there remains an awful stigma attached. People are afraid to seek help for fear of being labeled "crazy" or not taken seriously until it is to late. Michelle drew the elephant that night with intentions of it becoming a decal so people would see it and know they are not alone and that it is okay to talk about it and seek help. She needed and wanted a 10 year old to be able to understand the concept!
Why a 10 year old?
Because that is the youngest age in statistics of suicide in the United States.
If you would like to support Yellow Elephant head over to their Instagram page @theyellowelephantmovement or hit up her webpage at www.theyellowelephant.org.
Timestamps:
1:37- Why did you create Yellow Elephant?
5:58- How is your mental health?
12:29- How did you get your idea or concept for Yellow Elephant?
20:17- What gives your life meaning?
30:44- What keeps you interested in your goals and dreams?
Here are some of the topics we cover in this episode:
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Thanks for listening and have a great day!
