Kenzie Trunzo

"All it takes is twenty seconds of insane courage and I promise you something great will come of it" We Bought A Zoo

My name is Mackenzie Trunzo and I am 26 years old. I suffer from depression. For a year and a half I hid the struggle from my family and friends. I knew I was depressed, but I kept on going like nothing was wrong and everything was OK. I was so deep into the depression at one point and it reached a level to where I was no longer hiding it as well. On a Sunday morning in March 2013, my parents intervened and voiced their concern and suggested it was time to get help. I have struggled with depression in the past, but was always able to pull myself out without professional help, but for some reason I just didn't have the strength this time to do it alone.

In the beginning stages of my recovery I discovered the lack of free resources for my age in the Pittsburgh area. When I came public to friends and family about the depression my best friend said, "when you get through this you will be able to help others". Even though I had the support, there was still something missing in my mind to see the light, essentially - until I watched the movie We Bought A Zoo.

That is where the quote above comes in. From the moment I heard it, it has stayed with me and I have never forgotten it. It has also inspired me to take "twenty seconds" and start helping others who are battling mental illness. The goal of Twenty Seconds is also focused on starting the movement and starting a conversation to erase the stigma that comes with young adults who are suffering from mental illness.

"With Twenty Seconds we can erase the stigma towards young adults battling depression."

I am in the very beginning stages of making this passion a reality and I am dedicated to the process. Having the support of family and friends makes this all the more exciting and personal.

I wake up every morning to the alarm clock on my phone that says, "All it takes is twenty seconds" and it stays with me all day, every day.

A testimonial to how this quote has changed my life, in September 2013, with my twenty seconds I took a deep breathe and entered an interview and the outcome was being offered a job at my dream company VisitPITTSBURGH.

TO DONATE: go to http://www.gofundme.com/7xjk00