MHA Partners with Race Car Driver Justin Peck to Address Mental Illness Before Stage 4
Justin Peck will serve as an organizational ambassador set to speak at the Mental Health America Conference in June 2019 surrounding his experiences with bipolar disorder, depression, and addiction.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 14, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Mental Health America (MHA) is excited to announce that it is partnering with Justin Peck, world-renowned off-road and desert driver and owner of Race Pro Technologies racing team, to bring much-needed attention to the issues of mental health and addiction.
When not on the track, Peck is a mental health advocate, speaker, and author whose life mission is to raise awareness surrounding mental health issues. A suicide survivor who battles class one bipolar disorder, his platform represents raw truth and passion for a movement of inspiration versus despair. Peck's autobiography "Bulletproof" shares his lifelong story that highlights bipolar disorder, addiction, depression and the daily struggles of all three diseases.
Peck is an inspiration to so many who may not be able to see hope or light at the end of their dark tunnel. The metamorphosis of a mental health condition catapulted him into a champion on the track and in life. "Bulletproof" lays out the trials and tribulations of the painful, yet powerful transition that taught him how to free his mind. Transparent and raw, Peck shares examples of courage, defeat, and lives to tell how he rose above it "to beat the beast."
"We are excited to be collaborating with Justin, and kicking off our partnership during Mental Health Month," said Paul Gionfriddo, MHA president, and CEO. "His passion and commitment to mental health is palpable. By using his platform to discuss the importance of mental health, Justin is bringing much-needed awareness to this important and critical discussion – and showing his fans that recovery is possible."
Justin will use his platform to talk about his own journey and to promote important resources, like MHA's Online Screening Program. Since its inception in May 2014, MHA has collected over 4 million screens, and today collects around 3,000 screenings daily. After completing their screening, individuals receive immediate results, education, resources and linkage to affiliates.
"I've always said that the helmet is my medication," Justin says. "There's something about being able to take my helmet and put it over my face right before I race that takes away the outside chaos and keeps me focused. It's pretty amazing."
Justin will also be speaking at MHA's 2019 Annual Conference – Dueling Diagnoses: Mental Health and Chronic Conditions in Children and Adults in Washington, DC on June 15th during the 8 a.m. breakfast hour.
About Mental Health America (MHA): MHA is the nation's leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and to promoting the overall mental health of all Americans. Our work is driven by our commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all; early identification and intervention for those at risk; integrated care, services, and supports for those who need it; with recovery as the goal. We are guided by our Before Stage 4 (B4Stage4) philosophy – that mental health conditions should be treated long before they reach the most critical points in the disease process. Like other diseases, we need to address these symptoms early, identify the underlying disease, and plan an appropriate course of action on a path towards overall health. MHA is committed to addressing mental health Before Stage 4.
SOURCE Mental Health America
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