HOUSTON, TX – Houston blogger, Mallory Henderson, is doing it bigger and better with her second annual birthday party with a cause. On Saturday, January 7, 2017, she will host The Premier, a birthday celebration benefitting mental health awareness. The party is to be held from 4-8 p.m. at the new and improved Jet Lounge, which is owned and operated by Houston’s premier promotions team, Aristocrat Life.

In 2012, Henderson struggled with moderate to severe depression triggered by past behaviors and a series of stressful occurrences. After seeking help she began to understand the gravity of mental health and, even more, the lack of attention it receives, especially in ethnic communities.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 16 million adults in the U.S. had at least one major depressive episode in the past year and 18.1 percent of adults in the U.S. experienced an anxiety disorder such as posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and specific phobias. African and Hispanic Americans used mental health services at about half the rate of Caucasian Americans in the past year and Asian Americans at about one-third the rate. Half of all chronic mental illness begins by age 14; three quarters by age 24. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., the third leading cause of death for people aged 10-24, and the second leading cause of death for people aged 15-24. More than 90 percent of children who die by suicide have a mental health condition.

Since recovering, Henderson has spoken out about self-love, strength and confidence, and happiness through her blog.

“Most importantly, it taught me that who I am is who I am meant to be and that I should love that girl, that woman, unconditionally. If I can help one somebody to learn the same, I’ve fulfilled a most personal mission,” she says of her experience.

Now she and co-host, Brandon Pete, encourage conversation on the topic between young adults by focusing her birthday party on raising funds for an undisclosed national mental health organization.

For more information on mental health visit nami.org. To learn more about the I Am Blog visit iammallory.com. The Premier tickets and information can be found at thepremierhtx.eventbrite.com.