Speck of Hope
About A Speck of Hope
A Speck of Hope is not just an organization, but a Community. We are a community who fights for the possibility of freedom through our anxiety and through whatever hinders our Mental Health. Everybody’s Mental Health exists on a different level, but nobody’s is perfect. To exist is to have a mind, and to have a mind is to have mental health. This makes up who we are and how we exist in our world today. Thankfully God has given us ways to live with the highest mental acuity that our experiences and our genetics allow. There are ways to live free with and without Anxiety. A Speck of Hope has set its mission to teach our community that very possibility, that possibility of Freedom.
Our Vision
Our Vision is to create a community where we all feel safe to learn how to help our family and friends receive a Speck of Hope.
Our Mission
Our Mission is for everyone to achieve the possibility of Freedom in the Mental Health and Anxiety Community
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For the Possibility of Freedom in the Anxiety and Mental Health Community
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States. That's 40 million adults, 18% of the population—who struggle with anxiety. Anxiety and depression often go hand in hand, with about half of those with depression also experiencing anxiety. Now these statistics are only for those who choose to see a doctor for a diagnosis. Much of America goes undiagnosed.
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Many people may not experience the effects of anxiety or depression but do experience moments of irregular mental acuity. Symptoms include brain fog, irritation, heightened levels of stress, addictive behaviors, and the need to veg-out. This can be addressed through proper nutrition, a balanced lifestyle, and a little faith.
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What to expect at our Next ‘A Speck of Hope’ Event.
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How do we create a strong Community under a spirit of Hope? We found a style that works!
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We start out the evening with fresh nutritious snacks as we all find our seat. TJ will kick us off with a Welcome and introduce the evening’s speaker. The speaker will share their powerful story, experiences, and professional knowledge with us all. Then comes the most important part of the evening. We gather in groups of 4-5 people and discuss what impacted us most about the talk. You never have to share anything you are not comfortable doing so. You don’t even have to speak, but this is our time to internalize and absorb the possibilities. We end in questions for our speaker, an anonymous survey, and leave with a new speck of Hope.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Our Story
A Speck of Hope was founded on a Hope. I, TJ Jacoby, grew up in St. Louis, MO in a beautiful and loving family, free from any drama who supported each other in every way. There is no reason for my brother and I to have experienced anxiety, but yet here we are 10 years later and it persists. One day in high school, my brother, Nick, developed Tourette’s. For those who don’t know, Tourette’s is an Anxiety disorder that manifests in physical and verbal ticks in response to certain stimuli that are constantly changing. It is uncontrollable and very difficult to manage. My brother spent years trying to understand how to live with this new way of being using both professional help and coping mechanisms. In that time I watched his chaotic life form rigorous discipline, under a strict diet, rhythmic sleep, exercise, calming music, and a stable social life. All of a sudden his negative self talk turned into positive psychological feedback loops, and his ticks are down to a minimum. Nick is now a salesman for a high end dairy company in Wisconsin.
My anxiety may be undiagnosed, but it truly affects my productivity at work, social life, and ability to love my family and friends like they deserve. I learned from my brother’s success and applied some of the same principles in my life. I now have accepted what is normal and what is not, and learned to reject those negative thoughts from circulating. Everyone on our core team has a story of their own who have found healing through our powerful speakers. We all believe and have found Hope!
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The Hope in ‘A Speck of Hope’ stands for the possibility that through proper nutrition, a strong lifestyle, and good faith, we all can learn from each other. We built this Community to serve those who need Hope most of all.
Our 3 Pillars
​The Link Between Nutrition and Anxiety:
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Our diet significantly affects brain function, mood, and mental health. The foods we eat can either worsen or alleviate anxiety symptoms. By focusing on nutrient-rich foods that stabilize blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and support neurotransmitter function, we can better manage anxiety and improve our emotional well-being.
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The Link Between Lifestyle and Anxiety:
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Lifestyle factors can negatively impact both physical and mental health, but evidence shows that therapeutic lifestyle changes can help prevent and treat depression and anxiety. Key components of lifestyle medicine include regular physical activity, a whole food and plant-based diet, restorative sleep, stress management, avoiding substance abuse, and cultivating positive social connections.
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The Link Between Faith and Anxiety:
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Faith acts as a framework for understanding challenges and integrating trauma into one’s worldview. Religious communities provide essential social support that reduces isolation. Research shows that being engaged in religious practices correlates with lower rates of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, demonstrating the positive effects of faith on mental health.
