Jessie Close
Mental Health advocate
Mental Health advocate Jessie Close wants to change how people talk and think about mental illness. An ambassador for Bring Change to Mind, a not-for-profit organization founded by Jessie’s sister, actress Glenn Close, Jessie fights stigma and misunderstanding to create a clearer picture of mental disorders. Her own struggle with bipolar disorder and alcoholism provides the backbone to a courageous story and an enlightened perspective on the state of mental
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Mental Health advocate Jessie Close wants to change how people talk and think about mental illness. An ambassador for Bring Change to Mind, a not-for-profit organization founded by Jessie’s sister, actress Glenn Close, Jessie fights stigma and misunderstanding to create a clearer picture of mental disorders. Her own struggle with bipolar disorder and alcoholism provides the backbone to a courageous story and an enlightened perspective on the state of mental health in America.
Life has been a whirlwind for Jessie, who lived with anxiety, confusion, and paranoia. As a teenager, she dropped out of high school and contemplated suicide. Jessie recalls, “I lived many years without medication, then, at age 45, I was put on two medications for bipolar disorder. One medication caused me to develop Steven-Johnson’s Syndrome. I stopped that medication and took only an anti-depressant which caused a manic state. I drank to calm the mania.” She was an alcoholic and mentally unstable. Then her eldest son, Calen, was diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder, a form of schizophrenia.
Jessie asked her sister, Glenn, to help battle the stigma and misunderstanding of mental illness. “It’s one thing to be aware of stigma in your own life but when Calen lost all his friends I couldn’t bare it.” In 2009 Glenn founded BringChangetoMind.org, an outreach and stigma-fighting mental health advocacy group that provides invaluable resources and inspiration to people and families in need. BringChangetoMind aims to continue the larger conversation and challenge discrimination against mental illness. Glenn says, “It was about connecting us to our family and presenting stigma in an authentic way. Jessie and Calen [a BCtM ambassador also] are my heroes.”
Award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard directed the organization’s first national anti-stigma campaign commercial which highlighted how mental illness affects entire families. The second ad, 2013’s Schizo, challenged the Hollywood clichés that demonize people with mental illness. Both 60-second commercials star Jessie, Glenn, and Calen to illustrate that no one struggles alone.
Resilience: Two Sisters and a Story of Mental Illness, Jessie’s memoir, was released in 2015. She blogs about living with mental illness for BringChange2Mind.org and has made appearances on Good Morning America, Katie, Erin Burnett, and Piers Morgan.
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MEDTRONIC
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BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
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CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
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DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
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GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
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FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
RESILIENCE: A JOURNEY THROUGH THE DARKNESS
INSIDE THE WORLD OF MENTAL ILLNESS: FROM STIGMA TO ACCEPTANCE
A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT JESSIE CLOSE’S PROGRAMS
Videos
Elevating Behavioral Health - Jessie Close: 50 Years Bipolar
Jessie Close talks about stopping the stigma of mental illness
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Testimonials
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