Dear Friends, Diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, I have struggled with mental illness for the past 25 years of my life. Because I have the financial resources, I have had the opportunity to be treated by some of the most renowned psychiatrists and psychologists in their respective fields. Because of this, on a day-to-day basis, I am able to live a functional and productive life, having achieved success in business and having a family of my own. It is an ongoing journey, but I am determined to continually improve myself, physically and emotionally, for the well being of myself and my children. For many, this is not a reality due to the increasingly high costs of effective treatments and medication versus lack of financial resources. As a “survivor”, I am overcome with the desire to help others, especially youth, who suffer with mental illness each and every day of their life. It saddens me to know that 1 out of every 5 preschoolers suffer from depression, ADD, or ADHD, 1 of every 5 young adults suffer from mental illness, and two-thirds of them are not getting the help they need. Sincerely, Craig Huxford |
