The “Do Send a Card” project was inspired during MHASF’s 2012 Mental Health Month Celebration when Dr. Elyn Saks read excerpts from her best-selling novel, The Center Cannot Hold.  Dr. Saks poignantly portrays her personal struggles with mental health challenges while attending graduate school and law school. She then spoke of how later in life she was also hospitalized for cancer; and much to her surprise, she received cards, flowers, care packages, and phone calls of well-wishes.

Dr. Saks never received a card, flower, care package or a single call to wish her well during any of the numerous times she was hospitalized in a psychiatric unit. Upon concluding her reading that evening, she suggested to the audience, "…and DO send flowers."

MHASF does not have the capacity to send flowers to our community members in the hospital for mental health conditions, but we can send a card … and we can support you to send a card as well!