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ERASING THE DISTANCE
DISARMING STIGMA ONE STORY AT A TIME
ABOUT
WHAT IS
STIGMA?
A mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person. If something has stigma attached to it, people think it is something to be ashamed of.
WHY IS STIGMA SO DANGEROUS?
For people living with mental illness, the presence of stigma can complicate how they are perceived and treated. The more we work to disarm the stigma by sharing our stories, the closer we get to make sure others are treated fairly and justly.
OUR STORY.
It started with a small group of people in the back of a coffee shop reading their stories aloud. The conversation that followed lasted for hours and Erasing the Distance was born. Since 2005 the organization has travel across the country collecting and sharing stories, facilitating conversations with audiences of all sizes and creating space for necessary conversations.
THE TEAM
Heather Bodie
Executive Artistic Director
Gabby Diaz
Teaching Artist & Program Coordinator
Cage Sebastion Pierre
Teaching Artist & Facilitator
Omar Barakat
Intern
Charlotte Ostrow
Intern - MSW Candidate
Brianna Bracy
Intern - MSW Candidate
DISARM THE STIGMA SURROUNDING MENTAL ILLNESS ONE STORY AT A TIME.
Since our founding in 2005, our efforts to disarm stigma have been made possible by and incredible number of people. The staff, board, artists, clinicians, interns, and volunteers all work together to keep the message strong, the stories supported, and the mission active. Join the Erasing the Distance family.
Charlie Stoops
President
Sara Sarkey
Vice President
Diana Alejandro
Treasurer
Jenise Celestine
Secretary
Dee Bolos
Director
Evelyn Joy Coker
Director
Judith Bradford
Director
Richard Pless
Director
BOD
Director
Emeritus
Charlotte Hunter-Burns
Dr. Kimberly J. Dean
MEET OUR
FOUNDER
Brighid O'Shaughnessy
Since 2005, Brighid has utilized theatrical performances about mental health issues to educate and disarm stigma.
A sought-after speaker and workshop leader, Brighid has presented at many events, including the Active Minds National Conference. Brighid was granted DePaul University's prestigious David O. Justice Award for her use of theatre to educate communities about mental illness in nontraditional and creative ways.
Brighid continues to be a fierce mental health advocate.
The closing moment of "Domincan: Chapter 2"
Winter 2018
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