Local author will donate 50% of all book proceeds to Peterborough Youth Services throughout the month of May for Mental Health Month.
Peterborough author, Erica Richmond published her first book, Pixie and the Bees in November 2020. It’s a fable about her experience living with an anxiety disorder. When she wrote it, she had been living in constant pain and discomfort for the past year and had just received a diagnosis of anxiety disorder.
“The only way I could describe my anxiety to anyone was that I felt like I had bees swarming through my body all the time.”
She felt so lonely because no one else could see anything wrong with her. Deciding to write the story was a natural response for Richmond who often writes to process what is happening around and within her. She made the decision to publish the story to help others understand that they are not alone – and to encourage others to write their own stories.
The book is beautifully illustrated by Peterborough artist, Brooklin Holborough which makes the story engaging for all ages.
During May, which is Mental Health Month, Richmond is donating 50% of all Pixie and the Bees proceeds to Peterborough Youth Services. She believes that we must work together as a community to raise awareness – and funds – for mental health services. Aside from Erica’s own challenges with mental health, May also marks the anniversary of the death of her children’s father to suicide.
“This fundraiser is my way of acknowledging the deep impact his death had on my family and the great need to support others who are struggling.”
Last May she raised $500 to support Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge.
Gord Langill, executive director at PYS had this to say:
“All of us at Peterborough Youth Services, staff and clients, will be so grateful to author Erica Richmond for dedicating her Mental Health Month fundraiser towards the work we do at PYS. Funds raised through this generous project will assist our efforts to reach out to young people and their families to offer counseling, support and youth justice services. Thank you, Erica!”
Peterborough Youth Services provided support through their mental health programs to 728 unique local youth in 2021-2022. Their mission is to provide accessible, youth focused services that engage youth in a respectful, professional, therapeutic relationship to foster emotional and social health.
To order a book and support Peterborough Youth Services, click here.
For more information about Pixie and the Bees and how to support this fundraiser, please contact: Erica Richmond, openskystories@gmail.com 705.761.7735
For more information about Peterborough Youth Services, their programs, or how to access support, please visit: https://www.pysonline.ca or call 705.743.1681
To download a poster that you can post in your store, click here.
In the News:
HUGE thanks to local media for sharing this fundraiser!
