Removing The Stigma

The vision of Removing The Stigma (RTS) began in 2013, when Denise Holcomb, now Founder and Executive Director, was empowered to share her story in a documentary film, Living With Bipolar, for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. ​ The challenges of mental illness could be seen early in Denise’s family, starting with her mom having a “nervous breakdown” and then Denise at 14 years old and starting to face her own challenges, with problems in school, childhood molestation, alcohol, drugs, and abuse. Denise was never diagnosed with a mental illness until her early twenties, but even at that time, she was wrongly diagnosed. It was not until her early thirties (and well into a second marriage) that she was diagnosed correctly with Bipolar Disorder II. By that time, she had fought and survived several suicide attempts, overcame alcoholism and drugs, and became a born-again Christian, but not without continual visits to the hospital year after year. Denise took it upon herself to study and learn about the diagnosis she had been given. Her study, therapy, her strong faith in God, and the belief that He still had a plan for her life and healing gave her the strength she needed to live. During her journey from mental illness to wellness and recovery, along with the devastating death of her brother and her only son, who died by suicide, Denise began to see in herself the strength and boldness to fight to remove the stigma that attaches itself to mental illness and suicide. The documentary produced about her living with bipolar disorder was one way to bring attention to the stigmas associated with mental illness, but the formation of the organization provided the resources to remove the stigma around mental illness and suicide. Since the official inception of Removing the Stigma (RTS) in 2013, it has taken small but powerful steps to bring a voice to stigma, mental illness, and suicide by engaging the community and being a resource for education, advocacy, and peer support. It is RTS’s vision that all people, from every walk of life, experience and realize the hope of being mentally and emotionally well. Denise is available for speaking engagements, workshops, and training.

Our Mission and Vision Our mission is to educate, empower, and offer hope to individuals while removing the stigma associated with mental illness and suicide. Our vision is to bring mental and emotional wellness to the community. Our Programs Youth Life Cle (YLC): A youth-led awareness and prevention program designed to equip young people with resilience, independence, and healthy thinking. Through peer support, the arts, and guided conversations, participants address generational myths surrounding mental illness and empower their peers to seek help. Women’s Faith-Based Mental Wellness Group: A 16-week online supportive community where women strengthen their emotional well-being through faith, connection, and honest conversation. This group provides a space for those managing anxiety and depression to find healing and restoration. Survivors of Suicide Loss Group: A 10-week online support group for adults ages 21 and older navigating the grief of losing a loved one to suicide. This program offers a compassionate environment focused on guided conversation and emotional support. QPR Training: A gatekeeper course that teaches three simple steps—Question, Persuade, and Refer—to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and connect individuals to life-saving help. Youth-Led Anti-Bullying Program: A 6-week initiative that empowers youth to recognize bullying and build safer school environments. The curriculum focuses on education, empathy, and bystander empowerment through the arts and restorative practices. Our Activities Annual Bowling Event Community Fundraiser This annual community event is held each year during May or September for Mental Health Awareness to raise funds and provide vital resources and awareness to the community. Annual Youth Volunteer Projects These projects focus on mental health through peer-led volunteer community-outreach projects that are designed to build essential skills, boost mental health, and enhance college or job applications while fostering community connection. It improves empathy, reduces risks of negative behaviors, and helps explore career paths. Volunteering also provides a sense of purpose, boosting self-confidence, while creating lasting positive social impact and providing support to vulnerable populations. Survivors of Suicide Loss - A Day to Remember This free annual event provides a supportive environment for survivors of suicide attempts and those who have lost loved ones to suicide, focusing on peer support and shared remembrance. Youth Leadership Incentives This event empowers participants aged 8 to 22 to become advocates for mental and emotional wellness. The course equips young people with the tools necessary to reduce stigma, enhance peer support, and design community mental health initiatives. Youth leadership training equips young people with critical skills, confidence, and a sense of responsibility necessary for personal growth, community impact, and future career success. Our activities foster essential skills like communication, decision-making, and teamwork, while empowering youth to drive positive social change, innovate, and lead today.