Leadership Buffalo is Making Buffalo Better. Through collaborations, community awareness, and civic engagement, Leadership Buffalo is uniting leaders to take action. Six programs educate individuals and provide resources to make a difference. Participants explore the challenges, concepts, complexity and practice of leadership around important issues through a series of day sessions.

Leadership Buffalo unites leaders from diverse backgrounds and increases their knowledge of community issues, broadens their vision and enhances their ability to lead. Through these programs, Leadership Buffalo has expanded Western New York’s social capital by graduating more than 4,000 individuals.

We recently spoke with Jenna Luehrsen, director of marketing and events.

Q: Why did your organization become a member of The Anti-Stigma Coalition?

At Leadership Buffalo, we understand the mental health challenges that members in our community face and how it can affect one’s job, personal life, school, etc. Our organization is represented by everyone in the community, and we found it our responsibility to be a part of an initiative that works to eliminate stigma and help others thrive.

Q: How are people with mental health challenges impacted by stigma?

Stigma often deters people from getting the correct support they need to improve their mental health, which can lead individuals down the wrong path or prohibit them from living their best life.

Q: What impact is the Campaign having in the community?

People are no longer afraid to share their story, people seek support and guidance, people are willing to help one another struggling with similar things. People can be proud of who they are. Without stigma, mental health doesn’t have to define you; instead, it can be used as a step to get you to the next, very important, part of your life.