Meet Keshia Dennis of The Elephant in the Room, Inc.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keshia Dennis.

Keshia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
The Elephant in the Room, Inc. was founded in 2017. Our primary focus is on educating, bringing awareness to Mental Health, and trying to help bridge the gap between those who need the help and those who receive the help.

At the age of 17, I began to suffer from stress, anxiety, and panic attacks. I never knew of or heard of this type of feeling. It was an indescribable pain. I didn’t share what I was going through with anyone and just dealt with feeling “overwhelmed” for years! Eventually, I was able to better manage the anxiety and I wanted to do something to help others who dealt with it because I was starting to hear and read saddening stories about others suffering from anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and even committing suicide. I had even lost a longtime friend to suicide. Many people have a hard time coping with life and I wanted to be that support.

I started The Elephant in the Room (TEITR) with one goal in mind — to end the stigma surrounding Mental Health! Many people are afraid to talk about Mental Health, especially in the African American community. Many don’t have the resources and/or are afraid to seek therapy, counseling, or even talk to a friend out of the fear of being labeled as “crazy’ or “mentally unstable”. I want talking about Mental Health to be normalized and as easy to mention as telling a friend about your jeweler, banker, doctor, or dentist.

I have built some incredible relationships with therapists, counselors, and doctors who support my vision and who’s passion measures up to mine and are willing to help me help others. With so much support, I have been able to raise over 100k to help support The Elephant in the Room’s program initiatives that will help others suffering with Mental Health.

Has it been a smooth road?
Not at all! I had so many ideas for my non-profit since before the start of the organization but with working a full-time, stressful, and demanding job, it became nearly impossible to focus and put all of my energy into something that I was so passionate about. Sounds crazy, right? I would come home from my 9-5 job too tired to open my computer or read anything that would help further the growth of my non-profit. It wasn’t until I recently decided to take a step out on faith and quit my job to put 110% of my energy into what I love so much. I am very proud to say that with time and dedication, I built my non-profit from ground up and did all of the research and necessary filings myself to become a tax-exempt organization.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Elephant in the Room, Inc. story. Tell us more about the business.
The Elephant in the Room, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charity organization. We focus on Mental Health with the goal to erase the stigma surrounding it and support those who are in need of help. I am most proud to say that we are truly helping others as Mental Health education and awareness is very important and necessary! I am also proud to say that with the help of many (NFL players, NBA players, Corporate Executives, Realtors, Friends, Family, etc.), I was able to raise over 100k to go towards helping end the stigma around Mental Health. These donations ultimately mean that I am supported by so many people who believe in the change that we are going to be able to create.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The Elephant in the Room, Inc.’s ultimate goal is to open our own Mental Health facility, a Safe Space. I am eager to look back at data to show how many people we have been able to help deal with Mental Health.

Pricing:

• Donations to The Elephant in the Room, Inc. can be made by visiting our website: www.theelephantintheroominc.org

Contact Info:

• Address: 270 Cobb Parkway S Suite 140 #322
  Marietta, GA 30060
• Website: www.theelephantintheroominc.org
• Phone: (404) 449-9380
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theelephantintheroominc/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/theelephantintheroominc

Image Credit:
Simeon Noel Kelley Jr.

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