If you’ve ever loved someone who’s struggled with their mental health, you know what it means to hold hope in both hands — tightly, tenderly, and sometimes through tears.
You learn to read between the lines of “I’m fine.”
You pray for moments of light to last a little longer.
And you keep believing that love can reach places medicine alone can’t.
That’s where Standing Tall Igniting Hope was born — in the middle of heartbreak, and in the steady belief that love, compassion, and community can light the way forward.
A Grandmother’s Promise
My name is Colleen Schuerlein, and I founded Standing Tall Igniting Hope after losing my beloved grandson, Erik, by way of suicide in 2020.
Erik was an artist with a soul as vivid as his colors.
He inherited his creative spirit from his father, John Hudson, whose Native American–inspired artwork is known for its power and beauty. The heron in our foundation’s logo was designed by Erik himself — a symbol of strength, resilience, and grace.
Erik’s journey was not an easy one. He faced years of misdiagnosis, medications, and therapies that couldn’t quite reach the root of his mental illness. Our family surrounded him with love, support, and every resource we could find. We did everything we knew to do.
And yet, despite it all, we lost him.
That loss broke my heart wide open — and also opened a question that would not go away:
What if we could help other families find hope sooner?
What if we could support other families through their own personal journeys?
From Pain to Purpose
That question became the heartbeat of Standing Tall Igniting Hope — a foundation dedicated to providing scholarships for mental health treatment, raising awareness, and supporting those who support others.
Because the truth is, mental health struggles rarely affect just one person.
They ripple through entire families — parents, siblings, spouses, grandparents, and friends — all trying to help, all trying to hold on.
And when you’re the one doing the supporting, it’s easy to forget that you need care, too.
That’s why our mission isn’t just about funding treatment.
It’s about building a community of the heart — a safe, loving space where hope, help, and healing can grow together.
When the System Feels Overwhelming
Even with today’s resources, getting help can feel like navigating a maze. Finding the right diagnosis, the right therapist, the right medication — it can take years.
And in the meantime, families are doing their best to hold things together with little guidance or support.
That’s why Standing Tall Igniting Hope exists: To help bridge the gaps in awareness, access, and affordability — while shining a light on new approaches and the power of early intervention.
Because healing begins with hope — but it’s strengthened by community.
3 Gentle Ways to Strengthen Hope When Life Feels Heavy
- Pause and breathe before reacting.
A single deep breath can interrupt a spiral of fear and invite calm back into your body. Try it the next time you feel overwhelmed. - Ask open-hearted questions.
Instead of “What’s wrong?” try, “How are you really feeling today?” or “What would help you feel supported right now?” Sometimes people don’t need answers — just space to be seen. - Stay connected.
Isolation magnifies pain. Reach out — even with a short text, a kind word, or a walk together. Hope grows stronger when it’s shared.
Building a Community That Stands Tall Together
If you’re reading this and loving someone through a mental health challenge, please know:
You’re not alone, and you don’t have to carry the weight by yourself.
Whether the struggle is “mild” or “severe,” visible or hidden, Standing Tall Igniting Hope is here to shine a light — not just on awareness, but on action. Together, we can normalize conversations about mental health, fund access to care, and create a network of compassionate hearts standing tall for one another.
- So, will you help us spread the light?
- Share this post.
- Start a conversation.
- Make a donation if you’re able.
Every small action adds up to something powerful — a world where asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, but a step toward healing.
Because hope doesn’t just survive the storm.
Hope stands tall — and invites others to rise, too.
Read more stories and helpful articles, listen to inspiring podcasts, or make a gift that funds mental health treatment for those who can’t afford it.
