NEW!: My documentary episode with the Call Me Mental team has been released! Please check it out and share it to help me break the stigma surrounding mental illness!
http://callmemental.com/features/julia-schliesing/
In January of 2013 I lost my high school and college friend Matt to suicide, caused by untreated depression. Having suffered from extreme depression for four years, I was angry to find out that he may have lived had he sought treatment. I decided I was never again going to remain silent about being treated for depression, and was going to make sure as many people as possible treated it before it was too late for them too.
This is why I am running in the Miss America system. If the people who look up to Miss America hear her saying, "I am a survivor of depression, I am being treated for depression, and I am not ashamed of that whatsoever" then they too will feel comfortable enough to treat their depression before it leads to suicide or self harm.
My platform title is, "Reach out and Speak up: Stopping Suicide with Prevention." I am reducing the suicide rate in the great state of Minnesota by inspiring others to seek help, by reducing the stigma surrounding being treated for depression in order to create a more open environment for those seeking help, and by teaching communities about how they can make a difference.
I will work as hard as I can in order to significantly reduce the suicide rate in my state. With this title I hope to save lives.
I have partnered with the Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) organization, which educates local communities about suicide prevention and encourages early treatment. As Miss Minneapolis, I am raising funds for this organization and helping them to spread our message of prevention with treatment. Check them out at: http://www.save.org/
I will be posting a video blog soon about my own struggle with depression, and how once I stopped being ashamed and started seeking treatment, my life changed forever.
To read more about the lives that Matt touched follow the link: http://www.mndaily.com/2013/01/29/gathering-remember
http://callmemental.com/features/julia-schliesing/
In January of 2013 I lost my high school and college friend Matt to suicide, caused by untreated depression. Having suffered from extreme depression for four years, I was angry to find out that he may have lived had he sought treatment. I decided I was never again going to remain silent about being treated for depression, and was going to make sure as many people as possible treated it before it was too late for them too.
This is why I am running in the Miss America system. If the people who look up to Miss America hear her saying, "I am a survivor of depression, I am being treated for depression, and I am not ashamed of that whatsoever" then they too will feel comfortable enough to treat their depression before it leads to suicide or self harm.
My platform title is, "Reach out and Speak up: Stopping Suicide with Prevention." I am reducing the suicide rate in the great state of Minnesota by inspiring others to seek help, by reducing the stigma surrounding being treated for depression in order to create a more open environment for those seeking help, and by teaching communities about how they can make a difference.
I will work as hard as I can in order to significantly reduce the suicide rate in my state. With this title I hope to save lives.
I have partnered with the Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) organization, which educates local communities about suicide prevention and encourages early treatment. As Miss Minneapolis, I am raising funds for this organization and helping them to spread our message of prevention with treatment. Check them out at: http://www.save.org/
I will be posting a video blog soon about my own struggle with depression, and how once I stopped being ashamed and started seeking treatment, my life changed forever.
To read more about the lives that Matt touched follow the link: http://www.mndaily.com/2013/01/29/gathering-remember