The Story of MINDSHED™

Why I Started Mindshed

My name is Amelia Erlanger, and I’m 17 years old. For as long as I can remember, I’ve struggled with my mental health. Anxiety, depression, and trauma have been constant battles, shaping the way I see myself and the world around me. Throughout my life, I searched for a space where I could express how I was feeling, but I never found one that felt truly safe. Talking about mental health is hard, and when you’re struggling, the last thing you want is to feel judged, misunderstood, or dismissed.
 

I’ve been in therapy for as long as I can remember, trying to process emotions I didn’t fully understand. Eventually, my struggles led me to a residential trauma facility—a place meant to help people like me, but one that also made me realize just how isolating mental health struggles can feel. In those moments, I wasn’t just battling my own mind; I was also searching for something to hold on to—a reason to keep going. Some days, that reason was impossible to find.
 

What helped me the most wasn’t just professional help, but knowing I wasn’t alone. In treatment, I met others who understood what I was going through, and for the first time, I didn’t feel like I had to explain myself. That feeling of connection—the comfort of knowing someone else truly gets it—became a lifeline for me. But outside of those settings, I struggled to find that same kind of support.
 

That’s why I created Mindshed.
 

I wanted to build a space where people like me—teens and young adults navigating their mental health—could have a place to talk openly, without fear of judgment. A space where you don’t have to put on a mask or pretend everything is okay. Where you can share what’s on your mind, whether you need support or just need to get your thoughts out.

Mental health struggles can make you feel completely alone, but the truth is, so many people understand what you’re going through. The problem is, we don’t always have a place to talk about it. Mindshed is that place—a safe, supportive space where you can be heard. Whether you want to vent, reflect, or connect with others who get it, this community is here for you.
 

I know firsthand how hard it is to ask for help. I know what it’s like to feel like your feelings don’t matter or that no one will understand. But I also know how life-changing it is to find people who do. Mindshed is my way of making sure no one has to go through this alone.
 

If you’re struggling, you belong here. If you just need a place to express yourself, you belong here. If you’re looking for connection and understanding, you belong here.
 

Mindshed is for you.