Transforming Grief into Impact: The Origin of MentalFit

This blog is part of our Power of Healing series, which explores powerful journeys of healing and recovery and the resilience that fuels them.

MentalFit is more than just a mobile app—it’s a deeply personal mission turned into a powerful platform for whole-person mental wellness. Founded by Georgia resident, Derrick McElroy, MentalFit was born from his own grief after the tragic loss of his mother to suicide. Driven by a promise to turn pain into purpose, Derrick combined his lived experience, years of therapy, and nonprofit leadership to design a tool that meets people where they are. MentalFit integrates emotional, physical, and social well-being supports into one accessible app—helping users at every stage of their mental health journey, from everyday maintenance to professional care. Today Derrick continues to champion stigma-free mental health support across Georgia and beyond. Continue to read his powerful story of healing and resilience below.

The origin of MentalFit goes back a long way—to my childhood. From a very young age, I lived with the reality of mental illness in my own home. My mother had bipolar disorder, and I witnessed her struggles firsthand. There were days when she was full of life and energy, and others when she couldn’t get out of bed or face the world. As a child, I didn’t fully understand what was happening, but I felt the instability and the weight of it. Mental health wasn’t something people talked about openly, and there weren’t many resources or tools available for families like mine. We were left to navigate it on our own.

When I was 17, my world was shattered. Just two days after my 17th birthday, my mother took her own life. That loss is something I will carry with me forever. It was devastating beyond words—a heartbreak that left me feeling alone, confused, and full of questions. Why did this happen? Could I have done something? The grief was overwhelming, and in the aftermath, I had to learn how to keep going in the face of incredible adversity.

There came a pivotal moment not long after, one that changed the course of my life. I remember sitting alone in my room, consumed by sadness and anger, and thinking, “I am sick of this pain. I’m going to give purpose to this pain.” In that instant, something shifted inside me. A fire was lit—a fierce determination that I wouldn’t let this suffering define me or stop me. I wanted to do something meaningful, to turn my pain into a way to help others.

That decision set me on a path of healing and growth. I found a therapist who helped me process the trauma of my past and navigate the identity issues I’d been facing to discover my path forward. Over time, I completed dozens of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) sessions, which helped me work through the trauma. It wasn’t easy. Healing rarely is. But step by step, I started to find clarity and strength.

Around this time, I was introduced to a mental health nonprofit advocacy group. They were forming a junior board of directors to engage younger people in their mission, and I saw this as the perfect opportunity to channel my energy into something positive. I volunteered to help lead the creation of this group, bringing together other young adults who were passionate about mental health advocacy. We worked to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and build support networks for people in need.

That experience opened even more doors. I began collaborating with addiction treatment centers, helping individuals and families navigate the often complex and fragmented mental health system. I saw up close how hard it could be for people to access the care they needed—whether because of stigma, cost, or a lack of clear pathways to support. I learned that the system wasn’t designed with the individual in mind, and that there were huge gaps in care that left people feeling lost and alone.

Through these personal and professional experiences, one truth became crystal clear to me: mental wellness is a journey, not a destination. It’s not about checking a box or reaching some end point—it’s about ongoing growth, support, and care. And I realized that what was missing was a solution that met people wherever they were on that journey.

That’s where the idea for MentalFit was born. I wanted to create something that made mental wellness accessible to everyone—whether they were just getting started with building healthier habits, maintaining their emotional well-being, or in need of professional support. I envisioned a platform that put all these tools in one convenient, easy-to-use place: right at people’s fingertips on their phones. A resource that didn’t just respond to crises, but helped people build resilience and stay mentally strong every day. MentalFit is the result of that vision—and of a promise I made to myself all those years ago: to give purpose to my pain and, in doing so, help others along their own mental wellness journeys.

You’re Not Alone: Mental Health & Grief Support Resources

If you or someone you love is struggling, please know that help is available. Here are some trusted resources to support your mental wellness journey, wherever you may be:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988, or chat online for free, 24/7, confidential support from trained crisis counselors. Whether you’re in distress or supporting someone else, you’re not alone.

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): Offers resources for suicide prevention, postvention support for loss survivors, and ways to connect with local chapters and events.

• Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor via text, anytime, anywhere. Free and available 24/7.

• Kate's Club -Supports children who have lost a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver by offering peer support groups, mentorship, and creative expression activities—free of charge.

• MentalFit – A platform built to help individuals build mental strength and resilience through accessible tools for emotional wellness, habit-building, and support—all in one place.

• NAMI Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month Resources – Learn more about mental health challenges facing men and boys, and explore ways to support the men in your life during June and beyond.

•  National Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) Offers comprehensive guidance, toolkits, and training materials on suicide prevention strategies for individuals, communities, schools, and workplaces.

Author Bio:

Derrick McElroy is the Co-Founder of MentalFit, a mental wellness platform inspired by his personal journey of resilience and healing. After losing his mother to suicide at 17, Derrick dedicated himself to turning pain into purpose. He has worked in mental health advocacy, collaborated with treatment centers, and helped break down barriers to care. Today, he’s passionate about making mental wellness accessible to all—offering tools that meet people wherever they are on their path.