Over 30,000 people die each year from suicide, making it the 11th leading cause of death in America. Among teenagers and young adults ages 15-24, suicide is the third leading cause of death. Of deaths from suicide, over 90% are attributed to mental health conditions such as depression, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, etc. These statistics are staggering yet, due to the stigma surrounding mental illness and suicide, many victims and families are forced to fight their painful battles in private.

Gail Boledovich, loving mother of four and 20-year Royal Oak resident took her life on May 1, 2005 after a hopeless three-year struggle with schizophrenia. Her family was devastated by the loss. However, while dealing with the pain, guilt, and confusion surrounding suicide, they realized a way to both honor their mother and help others. In 2006, Gail’s children founded Mind Over Matter (MOM), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention in Michigan.

MOM is committed to providing a sense of hope and unity for victims and families suffering from mental illness. We are a family-based nonprofit organization and our advocacy for this cause originates from our own personal tragedy. Our efforts focus on fundraising and outreach events to further mental illness and suicide research, as well as education. We are dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention and ultimately, saving lives.

                                      Sincerely,                              
                                      The Gail Boledovich Family
                                      Paul, Lisa, Trisha, & Julie

The Daily Tribune – Friday, May 5, 2006 “Great Race”

The Oakland Press - Monday, April 17, 2006 ”Family’s grief prompts race”

The Mirror of Royal Oak - Thursday, April 13, 2006 "Siblings Use Tragedy to Heighten Suicide Awareness"  

The Daily Tribune - Monday, April 10, 2006 "Getting the Taboo Out of Suicide - Family Forms Agency to Raise Awareness" 

The Detroit News - Wednesday, April 12, 2006 ”Siblings Push Mental Health Awareness”

The Royal Oak Review - Wednesday, March 29, 2006 "Family Uses Pain of Suicide to Move Forward to the Positive"

In you are interest in publishing a story about
 Mind Over Matter and/or the MOM Race,
please contact Audra Quinn at publicist@mindovermatterrace.org