UK mental health advocate and mother of daughter with Down Syndrome, Erika Petrie speaks openly about the need for inclusion and love, that and more in this new episode of our digital S.P.E.A.K. series, UNSILENT.

In Part 2 of this 2-part conversation, we talk more with Erika, a passionate UK-based mental health advocate, about the need for breaking the stigmas surrounding the mental health of those she prefers to see as “differently-abled.” She is the mother of the wonderful Micaela, who has Down Syndrome and is also non-verbal. Along with her own charity Shades of Different, Erika fights tirelessly for her daughter, and all the amazing individuals like Micaela with their own unique abilities, to be treated with respect, love, empathy, and equity — to truly live and thrive in a world free from stigmas. We thank Erika and her family for their openness and conviction for mental health advocacy.