Our mission
Mental Healthy F.i.T. (Films, Ideas, & Tips) creates changing experiences through innovative education for mental health awareness.
With a focus on youth and marginalized groups, Mental Healthy F.i.T. provides awareness, education, and engagement to create a world without stigma by changing how we experience mental health. Our mental health, recovery, and disability-focused programs foster ideas and advocacy through arts, education, and expressive therapies.
The pathway to ending stigma in schools
We strongly believe that education, communication, and expression are often overlooked tools for recovery. Mental Healthy F.i.T. fills service gaps in recovery communities by offering educational events focused on awareness and expression through film, storytelling, art, workshops, and events.
Our unique programs provide practical ‘how-to’ guides that help individuals find new pathways in life, supplementing traditional behavioral health treatments while supporting at-risk groups in Utah – including veterans, LGBTQ+ members, refugees, the homeless, domestic violence victims, teens, marginalized youth, and those in recovery.
Public awareness events including Focus on Fests & Focus on Fridays
Youth & adult education workshops for recovery centers, workplaces, and schools
Public engagement events like Frame of Mynd, an art exhibition showcasing mental health success stories
We build community & celebrate culture
Through collaborations with local cultural groups, community festivals, and heritage celebrations, we creat spaces where healing and cultural identity are honored and embraced. Our innovative programs are designed to complement traditional clinical mental health services.
How we make a difference
Mental Healthy helps communities and individuals visualize turning points by bringing our shadows into the spotlight through talks, /workshops, and events.
Educate
We educate people how to incorporate positive mental health systems throughout personal, professional and educational areas of life, and why that incorporation is so important. Maintaining a world without stigma is possible if we’re all invested.
Utilize
We utilize best practices and up to date evidence-based models to deliver top notch materials and content. Our goal is to ensure people of all backgrounds, communities and health ranges are included and accommodated on their level.
Impact
We measure the impact of all our programs to provide clear action plans in adapting our mission of ending stigma. Findings are available to enhance corporate, community, and peer-based tool kits. Through continued education, advocates can deliver a brighter future for mental health.
Advocate
We work with community groups and individuals to advocate positive change and awareness in all aspects of mental health. It’s our responsibility to ensure those living with these challenges are respected and their rights upheld.
Create
We create new pathways of understanding from an individual and group perspective. Utilizing film, performance and other mediums of creativity, we help to visualize a new vision and direction for mental health.
Communicate
We communicate inspiring and motivational content to build robust foundations for marginalized community members. Communication includes events and promotional material curated from locally developed voices.
Our beginnings
Just like every story has a beginning, middle and end, so do our programs. Here is a bite size synopsis of how we got here.
Brian Higgins’ journey to founding Mental Healthy F.i.T. was deeply personal, shaped by his own experiences with mental health struggles and recovery. As a filmmaker and storyteller, he understood the power of creative expression in processing emotions and fostering understanding.
After experiencing a mental health crisis, Brian realized how isolating and difficult it was to find accessible, stigma-free support. Instead of remaining silent, he used his skills to spark conversations, developing a unique approach that blended storytelling, peer connection, and education to make mental health resources more engaging and relatable.
In 2016, Brian launched Mental Healthy F.i.T. (Films. Ideas. Tips.), a nonprofit dedicated to fostering mental wellness through creative communication. The organization hosts workshops, film screenings, and interactive programs that encourage individuals to explore their emotions, identify personal challenges, and openly discuss their mental health in a supportive space. By incorporating film, storytelling, and open dialogue, Mental Healthy F.i.T. creates a community-driven approach to breaking stigma and making mental health care more approachable. Through partnerships with schools, businesses, and community groups, Brian’s work continues to empower individuals to share their stories and seek support, proving that conversation and creativity can be powerful tools for healing.
Our team on the ground
We are a close-knit team wearing and sharing many hats! Whether you need inspiration to tell your story, motivation to find your audience, or the communication tools to Create Reel Change, we’ve got the talent to get you there!
Brian Higgins
Josh Samson
Jillian Tirado
Board of Directors
Helping us move forward when we get stuck in the weeds!
Antonio Lexerot
Melissa Hawkes
April Holzer
Tonya Lundahl
Jesse Justice
Mark Middlemas
Michael Solarez
Valued partnerships
Creating a community without stigma
Through our unique blend of Createucation and Edutainment—leveraging films, fresh ideas, and practical tips—we aim to build a world free from stigma. Our mission is to help individuals experience mental health in a meaningful way, making sense of life’s most pressing challenges with understanding and purpose.