Today we’d like to introduce you to Zachariah Thompson.
Hi Zachariah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My entire life I have personally always battled mental health issues. I was specifically diagnosed with an anxiety disorder when I was only in 7th grade. Since then, it was always a constant dance with the good and the bad emotions, not knowing how to properly handle some of the trauma in my life.
It hit a peak when I graduated college. I had just finished my collegiate baseball career when I was diagnosed with a life-threatening, incurable heart condition called ARVC. Receiving surgery for a defibrillator and having that device save my life, now 5 times, is and has always been an extremely hard thing for me to navigate emotionally. But those moments have served as a wakeup call and a reminder of my purpose to help people overcome the obstacles in their own lives.
With my experience along with some close friends, we started to realize that everyone in the world was connected to mental health struggles in one way or another–especially through the pandemic. We may not have the same stories, but we have all felt similar emotions.
I started dreaming about providing solutions to an overwhelming mental health crisis that is starting to be talked about more. It led us to ask the question, “What more can we do?” What more can we do to raise awareness, to help others who are struggling, to help people understand they don’t have to hide, be ashamed or think less of themselves because of it? The biggest question that led to us creating The Scatter Joy Project is, “What gets in the way of all that?”
Around the same time, I came across a quote that inspired the name of the organization and our purpose. The quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson is, “There is no beautifier of complexion, or form, or behavior, like the wish to scatter joy and not pain around us.”
We’re trying to create a new kind of community. One that is unified by our brokenness and hunger for hope. Pain can be a beautiful part of our story because it uniquely qualifies us to be the help that someone else needs. It increase our ability to practice empathy. It’s where the strength is grown when we are surrounded by people that love who we were, who we are, and who we’re becoming.
So, we’re all about creating an ever-growing community that not only raises awareness with our voice but helps people heal with our actions. To scatter joy because the world needs it now more than ever.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a business, especially a non-profit, from nothing is always tough. It was a hunch that this idea was needed in our community and world. A lot of people rallied around the message, and while I think we’ve succeeded in growing awareness around certain topics with mental health there is still an uphill battle to climb.
Healing for people is uncomfortable, and building an organization around that thought can be the same. A young non-profit organization I think has a lot to prove compared to other “veterans” in the game. We are out to make a splash, help as many people as we can, and maybe grab the attention of people and businesses who would want to partner.
One thing we pride ourselves on is creating a culturally relevant organization that people can see themselves in. We want people to identify with everything we do, from the events we host to the apparel we release in the store. We create for connection, not attention. I think over time people will be inspired more by that and opportunities will present themselves for future growth. And that only means we can help more people.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Yeah, the Scatter Joy Project is a 501(c)3 nonprofit movement focused on mental and emotional health. Our mission is to provide hope and help for people who are in the midst of their fight with mental health.
We are really active on our social media platforms, podcast, and with other materials and resources because we want to be a voice for those that need one. Our online apparel store acts in the same way. When people buy a t-shirt or hoodie, they aren’t only supporting our mission, they are creating by wearing them in their own communities. Our goal is the open up opportunities for people to have real and honest conversations about their mental health. These are conversations that play a large role in ending the negative stigma that accompanies mental health.
We also host workshops, community events, and retreats to support people by providing the space and tools for personal breakthrough. There is nothing better than someone unlocking something within themselves, reaching new emotional health heights, and being surrounded by people that will celebrate each other’s stories. That helps everyone grow in healthy community. The fact is you are needed, but you also need others too.
I think our best and biggest aspect of The Scatter Joy Project is the ability for us to point people in the right direction and provide resources and tools. Those in need can search our networks to find low-cost mental health programs, support groups, therapists, and counselors that can help them process, learn, and heal.
And this is where a lot of the energy is going right now, our goal in 2022 is to launch a mental health care scholarship fund to cover the cost of therapy, counseling, meditation, and emotional fitness courses for those in need. This takes all of us though and we definitely need the support from a financial standpoint to be able to launch this, so we’re busy inspiring people to fundraise and commit to monthly donations if and when they can to create this kind of change the world needs.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Honestly, this kind of work makes me happy. I don’t think there is a better fight than to fight for someone else’s mental health, to make sure they know they are enough, that they are valued, that they are needed. I think it makes me so happy because I know I needed it and still do in my life sometimes. There is a saying that I really live inspired by and it’s “Be the person you needed.”
Also, I would have to say my wife Molly and my daughter Cooper Jo make me extremely happy. When I was growing up, I had no idea what I wanted to be or do professionally, but I knew for a fact I wanted to be a great husband and an amazing father. I don’t know, I was just wired that way, I guess. My biggest desire to be the world’s best family man.
Other than that, a cup of coffee, some music, and a hike will do the trick!
Contact Info:
- Email: info@thescatterjoyproject.com
- Website: www.thescatterjoyproject.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescatterjoyproject/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thescatterjoyproject
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thescatterjoy
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/zachariah.thompson/
Image Credits
Molly Thompson
Julia Schweiss
Zachariah Thompson
Daryl Griffith
Austin Parker
Bay Moraghan
Maddie McGarvey
Cal Parker
Lance Johnson
