Ambassadors

NY Giants Star Brandon Marshall and mental health advocate Michi Marshall are our Ambassadors

Brandon Marshall is famous for breaking away on the field as a star wide receiver for the NY Giants, but he’s also making strides off the gridiron with his wife and mental health advocate Michi Marshall as the first ambassadors for the Healthy Brain Network. Advancing science and getting help to kids and families struggling with mental health issues hits close to home for the Marshalls. Brandon lived with extreme emotions and behaviors for years before finally receiving an accurate diagnosis of borderline personality disorder.

“I felt like that was my normal,” Brandon says of his life before he got a professional evaluation and therapy. “It shouldn’t be that way for kids today, whether they’re dealing with behavior problems, learning disabilities, anxiety or depression. That’s why Michi and I are spreading the word about the Healthy Brain Network.”

“People just don’t know the extent to which mental illness affects all of us,” Michi adds. The mission of their foundation, PROJECT 375, is to change that — by removing stigma and encouraging people to learn more about mental health. “There are so many people out there suffering who can’t get the resources they need,” Brandon continues. “We need more research so that scientists can unlock the secrets of the developing brain and more kids and families can get help.”

As ambassadors for the Healthy Brain Network, the Marshalls are helping promote a science initiative that can change lives — and they’re encouraging people to participate in the project and receive diagnostic evaluations and treatment recommendations at no cost.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re black or white, rich or poor,” Marshall says. “Mental health and learning disorders affect all of us.”

The challenge of helping one family at a time while also changing our understanding of the brain on a global scale excites the Marshalls. Brandon has been blessed with football as a platform, he says. “And I want to use that platform to speak up for those who can’t speak up for themselves. I want to help shed light into dark places, and start the dialogue and bring others along, too.”