A Necessary Pause

There’s no easy way to write this, so I’m going to be direct.

Penny Forward will be partially shut down until further notice.

Recently, I came very close to attempting suicide. That sentence is hard to type, but it’s true. I did enough research to form a plan. That scared me. It scared me enough that I went to the emergency room as soon as I could.

I am currently on a waitlist for a partial hospitalization program, and I am actively seeking additional support. Right now, my primary responsibility is staying alive and getting well.

I’ve always believed that our community deserves honesty especially from leaders who ask for their trust. This is one of those moments.

Penny Forward exists to provide financial education for the blind. But no mission is more important than human life. I am not going to be any good to Penny Forward or to my children, my friends, or our community if I do not take this seriously and step away to heal.

So that’s what I am doing.

This pause is not a dramatic exit. It is not a fundraising tactic. It is not a rebrand. It is a boundary.

Mental health is health. And right now, mine requires more attention than I have been giving it.

If you are a member, supporter, partner, or friend of Penny Forward, please know this: your support matters. The work we’ve done together matters. The people we’ve served matter. None of that disappears because I need help.

I don’t know how long this pause will last. I do know that I am committed to getting better. I am pursuing professional treatment and doing what I can, one day at a time. I intend to be back and better than ever.

If you are someone who struggles silently, I hope my honesty gives you permission to speak. Strength is not pretending you’re fine. Strength is asking for help when you’re not.

Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your grace. And thank you for caring about this community.

For now, I am focusing on staying alive and finding my way back to health.

—

Chris Peterson, AFC®
Founder and CEO, Penny Forward
Blind People Building Bright Futures One Penny At A Time

If You Need Immediate Help

If you are in the United States and experiencing thoughts of suicide, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It is free and available 24/7.

You can also chat at:
https://988lifeline.org

If you are outside the U.S., please contact your local crisis hotline or emergency services.

You are not alone.