Greetings from UCLA!

It has been 150 days since the UCLA Depression Grand Challenge ‘Hope is Real’ crowdfunding campaign, which raised $30,000 from over 72 people like you. We appreciate your support, but more importantly, we are grateful for the difference that you helped make in the lives of UCLA students who are battling depression. The Depression Grand Challenge and the Student Mental Health Initiative continue to gain traction with the student body and garner international attention. Most recently, the program and our very own Dr. Nelson Freimer were featured on NBC Nightly News. View the story by clicking here.

Your donations enabled the student initiative to continue at UCLA by providing the resources necessary for this important work. Overall, your gifts made it possible for UCLA to identify more than 1,600 students with severe, moderate, or mild depression and address their mental health needs. Your generosity is truly saving lives and ensures that UCLA students can thrive during their academic careers.

Thank you, again, for your support of the UCLA Depression Grand Challenge. We look forward to keeping in touch – please save the date for our TEDxUCLA Salon on October 25!

Click here to watch the Depression Grand Challenge feature on NBC.

Thanks to the generosity of over 67 wonderful “Depression Champions” and amazing donors who offered matching gift challenges, together, we have raised $24,600 for the UCLA Depression Grand Challenge Student Mental Health Initiative, bringing us 98% of the way toward our goal.

We are only $400 away from crossing the finish line and could not have done it without you.

If you haven’t already, please share the Depression Grand Challenge crowdfunding page with your social networks. Let others know how they can make a difference. 

We truly appreciate your contributions and continued advocacy. You are helping UCLA students continue to receive free mental health screening, assessment, and personalized treatment. Thank you.

Happy holidays and best wishes for 2018.

Warmly,

The DGC Crowdfunding Team 

Dear Friends of the Depression Grand Challenge, 

We appreciate everything you have helped us achieve thus far. Your collective philanthropy, totaling $7,215 from 51 donors, has unlocked a $5,000 gift from an anonymous family! This brings our total to $12,215 or 48% toward our campaign goal, with 30 days left! Thank you for making this possible. 

A second anonymous donor has come forward with a challenge: once our campaign reaches $17,215, they will give $5,000.

You have already made a difference through contributing, but there is one more way that you can help us combat depression: share our campaign on social media with your friends, family, and colleagues.

Our crowdfunding team will continue our outreach, but adding your voice to this conversation will increase our odds of success dramatically. Additionally, your public advocacy is an important step in eliminating the social stigmas that surround the global epidemic of depression. 

If you have any questions or would like to get more involved with our efforts, please contact Dorin Esfahani at desfahani@support.ucla.edu. 

Thank you, again, for your support and consideration. We look forward to keeping you informed of our progress.

With gratitude, 

The DGC Crowdfunding Team