Who We Are
Suffer Out Loud is a team of real people, with a real-life understanding of these issues. We’ve lost friends and family, and struggled with our own mental health. We work with purpose and compassion — because we’ve been there ourselves.
Staff
Board of Directors
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Board Member
Kayla grew up in Bozeman, Montana, and chose to remain in her hometown to pursue a degree in English, which would later lead to her teaching at the high school level in both Helena and Bozeman. Throughout her years in education, she faced many challenges with students who struggled with their mental health and experienced suicidal ideations: she realized that one common factor remained, a stigma regarding speaking about one’s internal turmoil. After losing her older brother to suicide, a fire was lit. She wanted to play an active role in seeing others stop suffering in silence—this passion led her to Suffer Out Loud, and she looks forward to continuing their work by helping others connect with resources, and ultimately, empower people to speak about their struggles without fear or shame.
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Board Member
Bio coming soon!
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Board Member
I was born in Japan, but have spent most of my life in the Seattle area of Washington. I came to Bozeman for school and am now a senior studying biochemistry at MSU. I am passionate about creating spaces where people feel welcome and heard. In seasons of grief in my own life, I found turning to my community played an essential part in my healing. As a member of the Boardroom Bobcats program, I have been lucky to observe the inner workings of the Suffer Out Loud board. In the future, I hope to continue working with nonprofit organizations to help provide resources to people experiencing difficult seasons of life.
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Secretary
Hannah was born and raised in the mountains of Colorado, and moved to Bozeman in 2016 with her then partner, now husband, Max. Hannah has been involved in several non-profit boards in the Gallatin Valley, and was drawn to the mission of Suffer Out Loud after her own challenges with mental health and understanding the complexities of navigating, and talking about, mental health. Hannah is grateful for the support of her community and loved ones having lifted her up in those dark days, and is eager to contribute to Suffer Out Loud's mission of making mental health resources more accessible for all and normalizing the conversations around mental health, depression, anxiety, and suicide. Hannah and Max just welcomed their first son into the world and are eager for him to grow up in a world where conversations around mental health are encouraged and normalized.
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Scholarship Program Manager
Born and raised in Bozeman, Erika brings a decade of communications and business experience along with the heart of a survivor to her role at Suffer Out Loud. Having battled anxiety and depression from an abusive relationship, she carries a deep empathy for those feeling afraid, powerless, and alone. Erika feels truly privileged to be able to turn her struggles into purpose and make it easier for others to stop suffering in silence by finding support through the counseling scholarship program.
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Executive Director
Rachel moved to Montana in 2016 to raise her family, and has been proud to call Bozeman home ever since. With over 15 years of nonprofit experience, she is thrilled to join Suffer Out Loud as the Executive Director. Rachel is committed to making it easier for every person to ask for, and receive, the mental healthcare we all deserve.
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Board President
Chad grew up in Havre, MT. He was always interested in helping people and saw his opportunity to do that in Pharmacy. He attended the University of Montana for 4 years at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy. While in school he nurtured his passion for helping others by joining Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity. He embraced leadership roles up to the regional level, holding the top office in the northwest region, and participating in and leading many philanthropic projects. Having many family members and friends personally affected by suicide, Chad hopes to continue helping others by breaking down the stigma associated with mental illness, and guiding those in need towards the resources available to them.
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Founder & Board Member
Suffer Out Loud has been an idea of Cassie's since she lost her sister to suicide in 2008. She felt very isolated in her grief. In reality, so many people have been affected by mental illness or have lost a loved one to suicide. The issue is no one is talking about it because there is such a strong stigma. She strongly believes that starting this difficult conversation can save lives.
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Board Member
Stephanie is originally from Texas and moved to Bozeman in 2008. Stephanie has a heart for those who are suffering with mental health issues, and has experienced her own feelings of helplessness and isolation. She is passionate about making sure anyone suffering does not have to feel alone by normalizing conversations around mental wellness. Her dedication to Suffer Out Loud stems from wanting to help people find the resources they need and provide a community of people to heal together. Steph strives to step into the tough conversations and to create a space of compassion and healing for those suffering.
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Treasurer
Like many of us, Steph has experienced seasons of joy and purpose as well as times of depression, isolation, and feelings of being a burden. She knows firsthand that being able to say “I’m not doing well” out loud can have the power to change a day. She joined the Suffer Out Loud movement to change the stigma and normalize the conversation around depression, anxiety, mental illness, and suicide.
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Board Member
A New Jersey native, Lauren made her way to Montana by way of Denver, CO. Starting out in healthcare communications, her passion for meaning-making, story-telling, and companioning work led to a new beginning as a direct-care practitioner. Sadly, she has been impacted by the experience of suicide in her friends and family community. Influenced by the Surgeon General's imperative ("Loneliness and isolation represent profound threats. . . we have the power to respond"), Lauren found a place to contribute with Suffer Out Loud.
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Board Member
Daniel moved to Bozeman in 2020 to attend MSU and has fallen in love with the state. Since his childhood, he has always appreciated the value of volunteer and nonprofit organizations, and after losing his uncle to suicide in 2013 has been passionate about the issue of mental health and the lack of awareness and stigma associated with it. Daniel is excited to be a part of the Suffer Out Loud board, and looks forward to growing with the organization while helping others.
“I’m part of Suffer Out Loud because I believe in breaking the stigma around mental health and creating a space where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to seek help. Everyone deserves hope and healing.”
-Stephanie Johnson, Board Member
Find Support
Struggling with mental illness or suicide ideation? Head to our Resources page to find the resources you need. For emergencies, dial 911 or 988.
Suffer Out Loud
You are not alone. Read powerful stories from individuals who have faced suicide or mental health challenges.