We were lucky to catch up with Erica Meisner recently and have shared our conversation below.

Erica, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I really think a lot of people are struggling with mental health and remain silent and don’t seek help or feel like sharing their true feelings with anyone out of fear of making people uncomfortable or being a burden to others. If people felt more comfortable with the topic of mental health then maybe people wouldn’t feel that way.

Mental health has always been an issue however since the COVID-19 pandemic it has only gotten worse. Substance abuse disorders, eating disorders, behavioral disorders, and emotional disorders, are all types of mental health disorders (just to name a few) that are continuing to affect millions of people.

I’ve been surprised by the lack of community engagement events surrounding mental health, there are some quiet walks which are great but I truly
do not think things will change with the topic of mental health until it is out there more within the community in fun engaging ways. Because if we talk about it and have it more present in the community then maybe it can invoke a change in the way individuals perceive mental health, and maybe that change will lead to individuals not feeling ashamed or like a failure when struggling emotionally or not feeling “OK”. Your mental health matters. It is just as important as other aspects of our health. We cannot risk allowing ourselves or loved one’s to suffer in silence, we need to feel comfortable to share with each other and seek help when things get too heavy. At every stage mental health is there and important, if you have a brain, you have mental health. If it suffers it can impact relationships, our health, our well-being and our life…children, teens, adults, and older adults all can be affected by mental health. It doesn’t matter your social status, career success, your physical bill of health, age, gender, race. It does not discriminate.
Mental Health Matters non-profit’s mission is to create awareness and reduce stigma associated with mental health through fun, inviting, and engaging community events. The very first event will be May 19th, 2024 at McAlpine Creek Park in Charlotte, NC. I have always loved running, it is something so simple that makes me feel so amazing and so alive. I always enjoyed fun races but I never had found a run surrounding mental health. I knew that I wanted to create a 5K for mental health but also make it a fun community party. It will be a chip-timed 5K, kids fun-run, and post-race event/community party with local small businesses, music, and food trucks. It is going to be a lot of fun and I know it wouldn’t be a success without all of the support I have received from so many already. My hopes are this is just a start to a positive and brighter future and community.

Erica, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Sure, I grew up in Charlotte and was always active from a young age; I played travel soccer from elementary school through high-school and later started playing lacrosse. I continued playing lacrosse for my college club team which is how I met my husband as he played for the men’s team. I always ran for conditioning for my sports which turned into more of a love, and I continued with running for myself. I love the feeling I get from a run, it really is something so simple that makes me feel so great and I’m thankful for it. Honestly, running has been there through every stage of my life and it is a great way to have my “me” time, challenge and push myself, and also a good form of stress relief. I always enjoyed helping others and knew I wanted to do something in the health-care field and fell into Nutrition and Dietetics in college. I graduated with my BS and MS in Nutrition from Appalachian State University and am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN/LDN), licensed in the state of NC. I worked as a clinical RDN in various hospitals and really enjoyed the work I did. I enjoyed solving patient problems and providing solutions. However, I am most proud of my title as a mom. It is hands-down the hardest and also most rewarding job. I am passionate about so many things, mental health being one of them. Over the years, I’ve noticed mental health declining across the world from the social elite to friends and family. It is something I want to advocate for and help make a change. I have had this idea of creating a race for mental health and an event surrounding mental health prior to becoming a mom. It is one of those things that I keep coming back to. I know if I didn’t act on it, I would regret it. I want to make a difference and make a change for the better. Dolly Parton once said, “we can’t just hope for a brighter day, we have to work for a brighter day”, and that is what I’m doing, working for a brighter day.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

“You never know unless you try” There have been numerous times throughout my life, someone has discouraged me from doing something. In high-school applying to colleges my guidance counselor had told me not to apply to a certain college as I probably wouldn’t get in with my grades and test scores. I saw another counselor for a second opinion and she asked me why I wasn’t applying to the school, I told her I probably didn’t have good enough test scores to get in, she responded with something that has stuck with me through so many phases of my life. “you will never get in if you don’t apply”. I was like, wow you’re right; I applied and got into every school I applied to. The lesson here is never let anyone define your limits. You never know the answer until you ask the question, you never know the result until you put in the work; don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.

I was fearful in just starting this non-profit with so many what-ifs, but I remind myself to live in the present and not let fear of the unknown keep me from doing something I am passionate about. There are so many businesses and companies I have reached out to and have received an overwhelming amount of positive commitments towards helping with this non-profit event. If I never asked and assumed they would say no, I would never have so many amazing businesses on board and their support.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social media presence is something that is tricky, it is difficult to post new content daily and still be present in the real-world. Making content that really exemplifies what you’re all about and your mission is something that resonates with people. I would suggest for any businesses or non-profits starting out to share personalized content, use hashtags, and follow businesses and audiences/accounts that you want to engage with.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://raceroster.com/events/2024/81894/mental-health-matters-5k
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentalhealthmatters_nc/
• Other: https://www.alignable.com/charlotte-nc/mental-health-matters

Image Credits
Just some of the vendors and businesses at Mental Health Matters event this May.