Slam The Stigma is a non profit (we have filed for our 501(c)3 exemption status) dedicated to helping teens and young adults manage their mental health. Through raising awareness, providing support and providing resources, we hope to eliminate the stigma around mental health.
At Slam The Stigma, we’re driven by a deep-rooted passion to make a real difference in young people’s lives. We want to make it easy, and safe to manage mental health. Helping people to live their best lives.
Our Executive Director – Matthew Schrad
I grew up in Carroll, IA. I was very active in high school participating in sports, plays, musicals and other activities. While I knew a lot of students, I never felt extremely close with any of them. I played college basketball at Lyon College in Batesville, AR for one year and then transfered to the University of Iowa to be closer to home. After college, I moved to the Chaska area and started working in transportation. Continuing my love for sports, I started coaching high school boys basketball and have for over 15 years.
During all of this time, I struggled with my own mental health unknowingly. Depression and anxiety crept into my life without me being fully aware of what I was feeling because growing up, nobody ever talked about mental health. In February of 2018, I reached a low point and had suicidal thoughts. I went to a basketball practice and had two sophomore players come up and ask how my day was. It snapped me out of my mindset and made me realize I needed to do something for my mental health.
Since that day, I have done a lot of personal work on my own mental health. With my new found passion for mental health and my continuing passion for helping young people, I decided to start Slam The Stigma. By sharing my story, I hope to be an example that it is ok to talk about mental health struggles.
Hear my story on the “What’s the Point?” podcast with the Face It Foundation.