Jenny Jaffe, founder of ‘Project UR OK’ has a mission to help teens and young adults who may be dealing with mental health issues. Jaffe is a bright light, casting a ray of hope to those afflicted with mental illness who may feel alone or like no one understands what they are going through. Not only has Jaffe created an incredible online community, but well-known celebrities also dealing with various issues have come forward to bring awareness to this cause.
Jaffe is no stranger to mental health issues, having struggled with depression and thoughts of suicide at a very young age. She felt sad, had high-levels of anxiety, felt helpless with no desire or energy to do the things most kids her age did. Though she and her family had no explanation as to why she was feeling this way, after finally going to the doctor, she was diagnosed with severe depression, OCD, and anxiety. Over the years different combinations of medications affected her ability to function, however now she feels back in control of her life, her destiny.
Another key issue surrounding mental health, is actually getting help. In a system where the almighty dollar is king, insurance reigns and mental health care professionals are inundated, it’s an uphill battle to gain quality treatment or counseling. Luckily for Jaffe, she got the help she needed via medication and has spent most of her life in counseling. Now she wants to be a resource, as well as a voice for young people afflicted with mental health issues.
Jaffe talks about her own experience, at the age of ten being suicidal. Like other kids her age, she was scared to ask for help and felt the only way out was suicide. In addition to this, she was afflicted with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) which is another type of mental illness. It enhances anxiety, with preoccupation of danger or that something bad is going to happen. Some have horrible images that pop in their minds no matter what they are doing and are unable to shake the feelings, they are in a sense obsessed or compulsive. Having been on several types of medications, as well as counseling for most of her life, Jaffe encourages others to seek the help she’s been so lucky to have. She talks about a time when she didn’t even think she’d graduate from high school or have friends, a life. She’s literally been “through my own personal hell and back” and she wants other teens, young adults to know they can make it too.
Not only has Jaffe struggled, but so has her sister Brooke who was also afflicted with severe depression. In her video, she talks about how much depression is “in your mind”, meaning there is that little voice within, telling you life is horrible or you’re a bad person, etc… It has a way of permeating through your thought process, interrupting your concentration, making it almost impossible for you to accomplish anything. She explains how she resisted getting help, or even admitting anything was wrong. “It doesn’t make you a weak person, in fact, it makes you stronger if you can get through it- trial by adversity.” This is typical, especially if you’re independent. I mean, who wants to admit they need help or might need someone? I’m very much like that myself, so I completely understand the need to handle whatever situation on your own. Jaffe and her sister Brooke are here to tell you it’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to tell people what you’re going through and it’s okay to need them. While the first step is difficult, once you do, it’ll feel like the world has been lifted off your shoulders. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Jaffe decided it was important to reach out to some celebrities that might be willing to tell their own story dealing mental health issues. She was shocked at the amount of response she received and only validated her path with the project. On the Project UR OK site you’ll find several well-known stars who share their experiences including Entertainment Reporter Perez Hilton, Wil Wheaton (Star Trek: The Next Generation/Stand By Me) and Jake Plunkett (Production Manager/Producer for SNL) to name a few.
I love this video- Chris Hardwick (Founder of Nerdist.com & host of The Talking Dead), interrupted Wil Wheaton’s testimonial for Project UROK.
