About The Mentally Fit Founder™
Why Mental Health Advocacy
Our world needs honest, accurate mental health conversations more than ever before.
With millions of people experiencing mental illness at some point in their life, and suicide rates steadily increasing in the United States, the message is urgent: those who are struggling are not alone. Open conversation and early intervention can help combat the stigma and change the story.
For me, this mission is personal.
As a child, I experienced extreme feelings of anxiety and worry. This led to generalized anxiety and major depressive diagnoses, along with related mental health issues later in life. If I had known how many people were like me when I was younger, maybe I would’ve sought help or shared my story much sooner.
Working in the life sciences and healthcare space, I began to see a pattern-- mental health conversations were kept quiet. I’d participate in cancer fundraisers and the like, but was petrified to tell my mental health story. I believed mental illnesses were considered ‘secondary’ to physical diseases.
Launching The Mentally Fit Founder™
After nearly 15 years of feeling like a square peg in the round hole of the corporate world, hiding my emotions and my true self on a daily basis, I decided to go out on my own. Entrepreneurship ended up being the best thing for my mental health, and I began to understand that my self-worth isn’t dictated by my mental illnesses. I also realized that mental health is health.
My knowledge of patient advocacy and my desire to make a change led me to start telling my story. And the moment I did was the moment I began to feel truly empowered by it. Telling my story of living with mental illness has strengthened my passion for my own business and helped me more authentically tell the stories of companies making an impact.
When we bring our whole selves to the table, we help free those who fear they can’t.
What I Do for Mental Health
I work with teams and leaders to create environments that welcome brave conversations, and change the world in the process.
Today, I create opportunities to share, engage, and build relationships through my speaking and writing services. I also serve as the Chief Community Officer and Founding Member of the Chronic Boss Collective, an organization for ambitious businesswomen living with chronic conditions.
Launching Mentally Fit Founder™ gave me the ability to transform vulnerability into strength in the workplace, the entrepreneurial world, and beyond.
My Official Bio
Lauren Elizabeth Perna is the CEO and Head Writer of Lauren Perna Communications, a Boston-based company elevating the stories of life sciences companies and other game-changers.
She brings over 20 years of experience in communications, marketing, and community engagement to her clients. She is an award-winning community organizer and writer, recognized for her leadership abilities, life sciences writing, and copywriting contributions.
Lauren is a fierce advocate for mental health, and she is passionate about removing the stigma of mental illness in business. She regularly shares her powerful story of living and eventually thriving with depression and anxiety. Her story has been featured in many places including HealthCentral, NAMI, McLean Hospital’s Deconstructing Stigma Campaign, Balancing Boldly, and more.
She is a dynamic speaker, known for her animated personality and value-packed lessons about living with mental illnesses. Lauren’s highly acclaimed written work was the impetus behind her transformation into a sought-after speaker.
Lauren is a community-builder at her core, passionate about bringing like-minded people together to grow. Through her business, she hosts a regular LinkedIn Live Series teaching her audience about writing and marketing. She is also the Chief Community Officer and Founding Member of the Chronic Boss Collective, an organization for ambitious businesswomen living with chronic conditions. Lauren is the co-founder of the Women’s Business League Neponset Valley Chapter, a member of the Boston Business Women, and an elected Dedham Town Meeting Representative.
Lauren lives in Massachusetts with her partner, his son, and their dog. She enjoys spending time at their house in NH and has dreams of buying more property and traveling the world.