Testimonials

AIR saves lives by educating today’s youth on the importance of mental health and the role of intervention and treatment. It creates a vehicle for people to get involved with a cause that has been stigmatized for centuries. It is time to release the stigma and be grateful that we can help with healing, education, and compassion.

Patti Ann Ridgway, CHHC, AADPCertified Holistic Health Counselor

AIR’s volunteers have a passion to deal with our last unspoken disease, mental illness. I have witnessed first hand the positive influence granted young students when they participate in AIR events. Seeing teens help their peers face anxiety, depression, and other vulnerabilities bodes well for all our futures. Those young, and not so young, are determined to make a difference. All of this I have observed first hand at high school gatherings, annual walks and solemn observances. So many supporters are now turning grief into action.

Silas BakerFormer Member, Brevard County School Board

AIR is changing one mind at a time. The Bakers and other AIR volunteers give their time and passion to fight the stigma of mental illness so that people will seek out help. It is time that we stop losing our youth to the perils of mental illness and suicide.

Joanne JohnsonParent, NAMI Instructor & Volunteer, Microbiologist

Attitudes in Reverse’s® (AIR) message of normalizing mental health issues for teens is of vital importance in our society. Explaining to teens that mental suffering is common and can be treated allows them to feel better about seeking help. AIR prevents others from enduring the pain that the Bakers have suffered.

“I work with people with mental health issues every day. The thing that is most consistently sad to me is that they very often have waited so long to come in to get help because of the negative stereotypes about ‘mental illness’ and their fear that they will be considered ‘crazy’ or ‘psycho’. I have to wonder how many kids I am not seeing because they fear this judgment. AIR is changing this message to our teens. It is not an understatement to say that AIR is saving lives.

Cynthia M. Bratman, Psy.D.

AIR has been a part of our family since its inception. My children embraced their message and carried it to their friends and schoolmates. I have seen the results in my community- more teenagers talking about mental health, accepting mental illness and seeking help when normally they would have been afraid. AIR has a positive influence on how people perceive and discuss mental health.

Julie Pindar, Parent

I was immediately impressed with AIR when I received a brief introduction to the organization. The more I learned, the more determined I became to support AIR’s vital mission. Everyone’s life literally depends on being educated about mental health and encouraged to seek help when needed. I thank the Bakers for developing their engaging program that could save lives and probably already has.

Shauna MosesAssociate Executive Director, New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA)