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Minding Your Mind was honored to have been named an Official Charity Partner for the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon, the world’s most popular marathon, taking place on November 5, 2023.
Team Minding Your Mind for 2023 is made up of 12 individuals, each of whom has a person story of why the mission of Minding Your Mind connects with them and inspired them to run the TCS NYC Marathon. Collectively, Team Minding Your Mind will raise more than $34,000 for mental health education and suicide prevention programs throughout the country. We are so grateful for their dedication to this cause and confidence in our programs.
There are a few who are still actively fundraising; if you are considering making a donation to Minding Your Mind this year, please help these runners reach their goals.
Click on each photo below to read more about the runner and the story behind their connection to our mission.
Donate to Kyle here
As a medical student and future pediatrician, I have seen firsthand the importance of access to mental health care and resources. Minding your Mind’s goals to reduce stigma around mental health and normalize seeking help can be so impactful for adolescents. I am so excited to run for this cause.
Donate to Natasha here.
Donate to Alex here.
As a relative newcomer to world running, I have been amazed by the positive effects it has had on my life. At the end of the COVID-19 pandemic I, like many others, found that I was coming out of lockdown physically out of shape and struggling mentally to cope with the isolation that we had endured. In January 2022 I attempted to go for an easy run through Central Park and found myself out of breath one mile later. Though I never enjoyed running this signaled a sharp decline in my physical health, having always prided myself on being relatively athletic. I remember the instant feelings of embarrassment and disappointment knowing that I desperately needed to make a change in my life. The next day I signed myself up for the 2022 Brooklyn Half-Marathon as a challenge to prove to myself I could overcome my disdain for running. Flash forward less than two years later and I am now in the middle of training for the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon.
Along the way I’ve encountered an immense sense of positive mental health and have been introduced to a community that I never realized had existed. More and more each year I understand the true importance of maintaining a healthy mind through the challenges I have faced in my own life as well as those I care most about. Much of my personal learning about my own mental health came from the realization that growing up in the 90’s there were simply not enough resources nor awareness being spread surrounding this growing issue. In my adult life I have seen the devastating effects these challenges can have on people when left untreated properly, sadly including some people extremely close to me. I know that I would have benefited greatly if there had been more active communication and direct education present in our school systems and communities. This is why I’ve decided to team with Minding Your Mind in efforts to raise funds and help spread awareness of the incredible work they are doing. I know that I personally would have benefited greatly from their services and lectures if I had been exposed to an organization like them growing up and I hope I can help do my part by giving this cause as much exposure as I can.
Donate to Dan here.
I initially wanted to run the marathon to challenge myself and then wanted to join Team Minding Your Mind after I read about their mission. Mental health has been something I have struggled with in various ways since the age of 13. I was lucky enough to have a mom to help me through my challenges and find me the appropriate resources. Not everyone is as fortunate as I was, to have someone in their corner and recognize the need for help. This is why I am especially proud to be running on behalf of an organization whose focus hits so close to home.
Donate to Emily here.
Donate to Jake here.
I am honored to run the New York City Marathon with team Minding Your Mind. I suffered severe postpartum depression after giving birth to two beautiful girls. This was a story that was kept untold for many years because of the stigma that comes with sharing about your own mental illness. I am a person who thinks that I should not need help. But I desperately needed help.
During my postpartum depression, I went seven months of having suicidal ideation before I finally called my doctor. The thoughts of suicide felt normal to me yet isolating from the rest of the world. I thought this was something to live with. Thanks to therapy, medication, community and the sport of running, I have entered a new world of feeling whole.
By sharing my own story, I hope to inspire others to openly talk about their own difficulties. I feel encouraged by the work that Minding Your Mind is doing in both the schools and the workplace. There is no other charity that I could feel more honored to partner with.
Donate to Olivia here.
