This story will deviate from my normal riff, but it is a topic close to my heart: a message that needs to be heard, despite the risk of personal exposure. It’s the story of mental disorders, a devastating condition that affects one in four people as well as those in their personal radius. Trust me, I know. Anxiety, OCD, depression and addiction have coursed through my family’s veins for generations. The ramifications have taken my grandparents, parents and children into an abyss that is life-threatening and out of which it is extremely difficult to climb. Mental illness is one of the most misunderstood and debilitating afflictions affecting humanity. Like any medical field, there are experts and charlatans espousing a cure. It is an ailment in dire need of a much louder voice. Treating the symptoms and breaking new ground is a journey of recognition, compassion and patience. Fear of the unknown is a heavy weight to bear. Luckily there are fissures in this resistance to understanding; creative efforts of support such as Hanky Panky and PeaceLove® Studios.
Hanky Panky has been a friend of mine for many years; not only because of their continued support of Lingerie Briefs, but also because of their absolute dedication to causes that are critical to improving our lives. Now they have teamed up with PeaceLove® Studios and launched a collection of intimates reflecting the joy that this organization has brought to individuals suffering from the unbearable weight of mental discord. See the recent Hanky Panky Partner Spotlight. By initiating life-changing experiences to communities across America, PeaceLove® Studios, born in 2009, has already touched over 30,000 men and women to date. Their objective is to “Create Peace of Mind™” through the artist intention. The healing power of art and community has always been a mission for me. I know the destruction that untended mental issues can cause; but, I have also witnessed the consequences of healthy attention. Thank you Hanky Panky and PeaceLove® Studios for your collaboration, financially, emotionally and creatively. You are a welcome beacon in our industry.
“My Goal Is To See That Mental Illness Is Treated Like Cancer” ~Jane Pauley
