Having battled with chronic mental illness since late childhood, Jaymee had always struggled with the want to speak up, but the shame and stigma that came attached to having these illnesses. In the year following her near fatal suicide attempt, Jaymee had, had enough of the stigma, and gained enough courage to speak out about her mental illnesses in hope to reduce the stigma attached, and show that even straight A, ‘happy’ kids could go through this mental pain and anguish. Since deciding to speak out, Jaymee has become an advocate in the mental health space, striving to create awareness and show that mental illness doesn’t discriminate, even if you seem to ‘have it all.’

Jaymee’s dedication to speaking out and speaking up has brought her path across the Mindfull Aus Foundation and is now a passionate mental health advocate for them. ‘I want to be able to show people that mental illness doesn’t discriminate. That just because people may think you are happy and you have a supportive family and great opportunities doesn’t mean you can’t have a mental illness. And if you experience these struggles, it doesn’t mean you are ungrateful or a bad person.  I’m striving for mental health and wellness to be taught in schools as early as possible to show kids that they can speak up if they are going through these challenging situations.

The support of Matt and the Mindfull Aus team has encouraged Jaymee to continue her efforts in the mental health advocacy space. She believes that one life lost to suicide is a life too many, and that she can do something about it, which is the most important part for her. She is wholeheartedly committed to the cause, striving to make others feel comfortable enough to admit they are not okay to someone.

“For me, Jaymee has decided to take a more holistic approach to treating her depression and anxiety and her results have been astounding. She didn't change her lifestyle for aesthetic reasons, which is why 80% of people do. She changed her lifestyle in order to cleanse her body of mental illness. After strict dieting and treating her insides with love and respect, as well as moving her body constantly, she feels brighter and more positive. Someone I definitely look up to!”