The Janet Aiko Sekiguchi Foundation
Honoring Janet's legacy by investing in communities and causes consistent with her passions and her struggles.
While we celebrate Janet's life, we recognize that a part of her legacy is rooted in her death. Janet suffered from clinical depression over the last several years of her life. She shared her struggles with those closest to her, and sought medical treatment on multiple occasions, including in the months prior to her death.
We at the Janet Aiko Sekiguchi Foundation recognize that clinical depression is a debilitating illness which is both underdiagnosed and is still stigmatized by a significant portion of our society. While Janet sought both medical treatment and the support of friends and family, we recognize that the pains she endured living with this disease at times were unbearable and directly led to her death.
It is our hope and prayer that Janet's story would increase awareness of depression and mental health issues. We pray that if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, you would immediately seek help. By actively seeking help, you show not weakness, but the utmost courage.
In 2020, an estimated 21 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode. This number represented 8.4% of all U.S. adults. (source: NIMH) Suicide was the 12th leading cause of death overall in the United States, claiming the lives of over 45,900 people. (source: NIMH)
The symptoms of depression include: