Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Fischer Crooks.
Hi, Susan Fischer; please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Our Beginnings. Walt, a gentle, loving soul whose life’s mission was to reduce suffering, died from treatment-resistant anxiety and depression on Thursday, August 22, 2019, after 20 years of struggle. The questions, guilt, sorrow, and what-ifs all rained down on us as we struggled to face this new reality. It seemed impossible to draw breath. Two days later, he placed his hands on my shoulders, looked me in the eyes, and said, “Mom, we will start a movement. If we save one life, it will be worth it.” Will’s vision is to keep Walt’s life mission alive, to create an organization to reduce suffering so that humanity could move toward an increased understanding of mental health conditions. This was the Genesis of Walt’s Waltz; we have not stopped. This creation stemmed from addressing education, equity, and stigma. The name of our organization came from Walt’s love of music, especially in ¾ time. Within weeks, we had Clemson University, SC Small Business Alliance, and the University of South Carolina Law Clinic eagerly on board to help us. Will and I are amazed at the outreach of love and support we continue to receive. Daily, people contact us with stories of loss and struggle, many expressing to us how they had once lived life in the shadows and just how thankful they are for shining a light on mental health conditions in the way we have chosen to position the non-profit.
Our officers and board members each have a unique understanding and closeness to this cause and an eagerness to spread the message of hope that Walt’s Waltz represents. The City of Greenville and Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System and almost 20 others have joined us in becoming what we call Walt’s Waltz Stigma Free Environments. In 2023, with no paid employees, we held Painting Mental Health Workshops for over 1200 attendees who received Self-Care Kits with watercolor paints, paper, brush, compact mirror, recourses, and our handmade mascot pins. Additionally, we hosted over 500 people who became certified in Mental Health First Aid and held Mental Health Awareness Booths at 28 events and more.
Who We Are – Walt’s Waltz is an Upstate South Carolina-based non-profit organization with regional, national, and international reach. Walt’s Waltz ends the stigma surrounding those with mental health struggles through professionally led educational programs, integration of the performing and visual arts, and creation of Walt’s Waltz Stigma-Free Environments, but we don’t stop there. To further reduce suffering and suicides, Walt’s Waltz advocates for equitable funding, including cutting-edge research in precision medicine toward curative therapies as we see with physical conditions.
- Mission: Walt’s Waltz is a compass and a megaphone for mental health support, education, and change.
- Vision: Physical health and mental health are viewed through the same lens of compassion and fair-mindedness, which contributes to the empowerment and care of all of humanity.
The “Waltz” Our 3-Step Action Plan
- Education: We educate the community about mental health to increase health literacy. Through education, we can promote awareness and create conversations surrounding mental health.
- Equity: Through our education and awareness programs, we build a community that views mental and physical health through the same lens. This creates demand to revolutionize how we approach mental health, which includes the need for funding in the areas of genetics and epigenetics as seen in other illnesses and diseases.
- Stigma-Free: Through education and the development of equity, we empower the community to have open discussions about mental health by creating access to safe spaces that promote well-being.
Our Initiatives:
Mental Health Literacy is the necessary first step in breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health conditions. Hosting live, professionally-led presentations with discussions encourages participation and dispels long-held myths. Additionally, we meet with stakeholders to discuss the need for a national curriculum for mental health as we have for physical health. Presently, preconceived assumptions and biases can exist even in the good intended as they shout, “Break the Stigma!” Take Your Mental Health Temperature initiative encourages taking a screening to check in on the level/severity of your anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Although not diagnostic, it can help people comprehend the seriousness of their condition and encourage them to reach out for help. Arts Integration includes integrating the visual and performing arts into our programs as a wellness strategy and a medium for open conversations. The Mental Health Moonshot initiative advocates for robust funding for early diagnosis of mental health conditions, aiming for the goal of novel curative therapies. This research has been drastically underfunded and requires a moonshot. Walt’s Waltz Stigma-Free Environments empower the establishment of safe spaces for open communication in the workplace, educational institutions, military, and social settings, truly everywhere. As a Stigma-Free Environment, businesses and organizations boldly stand with those with mental and physical conditions. They promote attendance of educational programs and the signing of the Walt’s Waltz Stigma-Free Pledge.
Please find out more about how to join us in becoming Walt’s Waltz Stigma-Free Environment and upcoming FREE events by visiting www.waltswaltz.com.
With gratitude, hope, and love,
Susan
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Most of us have not been as educated in physical health as in mental health. Consider that most of us have had PE and physical health courses. We have found a way to educate and normalize the conversations around mental health with our education programs that also include arts integration. We have met challenges with pushing for a Mental Health Moonshot to promote funding in genetics and epigenetics as we see with other conditions and diseases. This is not equitable, but attempt after attempt to speak with those in power to create change, there has yet to be much change.
Additionally, we seek equity for those on Medicaid as there are few options for help and those with high deductibles and limited in-network carriers. On May 3, 2024, our Mental Health Moonshot art exhibit opens at the Greenville Center for Creative Arts. The show runs through June 26, 2024. This follows our show in 2022 titled Step Out of Stigma, which was packed on opening night. We are 80% supported by individual donations, and we have no paid staff. We are working on grants in hopes people recognize the value of our work. Our impact numbers are impressive. Finally, it is difficult because this work brings me back to my son’s death. I was the last one to see him. He struggled for so long, but not many knew. He was a full-time teacher and manager and worked 6 days per week as he helped so many and didn’t have time during the week to finish his work. When I break down and feel I can’t go on, I remember my son Will’s words and Walt’s suffering and know we must do better.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have been a teacher for almost 30 years. I have taught GED courses, parenting classes, language arts, and visual arts. Both of my sons are Mensa, but what set them apart is their humble, gentle way and their willingness to drop everything and help someone. In my work, I am proud that my students knew I loved them. This is so important but often needs to be more valued and noticed as it’s not a list of improvements.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Perseverance – but I have found this to be a genetic trait. I keep pushing and pushing to create change. Life Long Learner – I love to learn and have always been curious and will not take it can’t be done, possibly sometimes to a fault. I will seek answers and research and research. I did fail to find help for my son. He tried almost everything to get better. I have been a member of the oldest Critical Thinking Tank in the World, the Foundation for Critical Thinking. My son, Walt, and I were close to those closest to the founder, Dr. Richard Paul. Following my sons’ examples: Walt taught me so much, and now his brother Will. They are beautiful human beings. Lastly, I have deep empathy for others and push for equity.
Pricing:
- 100% of donations go directly into programming.
- We are 80% supported by individual donations.
- A donation of 10.00 pays for one Self-Care Kit.
- Donating 50.00 or more goes to expanding our Walt’s Waltz Stigma-Free Environments
- Become a Sponsor for our annual event from $1,000 – $5,000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.waltswaltz.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walts.waltz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/waltswaltz
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/walt-s-waltz/
- Youtube: @waltswaltz7576
