Dr. Ashley Perkins
PhD
Ashley Perkins, Pharm.D., is a mental health (MH) advocate, educator, and sought-after speaker who is dedicated to raising awareness about MH. With over a decade of experience as a pharmacist, Ashley brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her work. Her unique combination of professional experience as a pharmacist and personal experiences with MH challenges make her a valuable resource. Ashley has co-founded We Matter Too, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides a space for individuals to share their stories and experiences.
Day 2 Session 4C - Peer Support, Advocacy, and Educational Opportunities Via Social Media
When 2020 happened, no one could have expected the situation we quickly found ourselves in but prior to the pandemic those with mental health issues already did not have adequate access to mental health services or an inclusive community. Then when you further isolate an entire population of people who society already naturally isolates, judges, and makes to feel as though they don’t belong this only made a recipe for disaster. Over the years leading up to the pandemic, research had begun to investigate the novel use of social media to enhance the availability and reach of services within the mental health community (Naslund et al., 2020). Could this approach be an effective way of reaching this population of people for a medical professional? Can you cultivate a community safely within a social media platform such as Twitter? Is it possible to break down barriers like stigma which is commonly found when you are talking about mental health issues? Add a worldwide pandemic plus our need for connection through novel means and the authors solution was to start a nonprofit called We Matter Too, Inc. in March of 2020 to see if it was possible.
ClinicianFest By The Numbers
ClinicianFest is a 503c organization. Proceeds from ClinicianFest are used to fund the co-pays of those in need of mental health services but unable to afford such services in their entirety. We partner with over 216 vendors, agencies, private practitioners, and community support programs to support aid in communities with scarce mental healthcare access and resources. To date, we have assisted over 1100 clients in getting the care and aid they need on their journey.