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Carli Bushoven

Carli Bushoven is a professional mental health speaker from Active Minds. Her story gives hope a voice. Contact us to arrange for Carli to speak at your location!

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Speaker Bio

Carli tragically lost her younger sister, Madison Holleran, to suicide on January 17, 2014, which was just two weeks after Carli’s first child was born. Beautiful, athletic, kind, and smart, Madison was thought by many to have “had it all.” Her death came as a shock to not only her family, but her friends, community, and people across the country – and became the catalyst for the NYTimes bestselling book “What Made Maddy Run?“ by Kate Fagan and published by Little, Brown and Company.

Shortly after Maddy’s death, Carli helped form the Madison Holleran Foundation in an effort to keep Madison’s memory alive and to support others who are struggling with mental illness. The goal of the foundation is to focus on high school and college students and let them know that they are not alone, and help is available. Madison’s story has been shared on national television with Dr. Oz, and in numerous news outlets including People Magazine.

Passionate for suicide awareness and prevention, Carli shares Madison’s story in an effort to inspire others to speak out about their mental health struggles and end the stigma that prevented her sister from getting the help that she needed when she needed it.

Speaking Options & Highlights

Our speakers offer a variety of presentations and/or workshops. Learn more below.

Key Topics

  • Anxiety
  • Athletes
  • Depression
  • Faculty/Staff Trainings
  • Life Transitions
  • Religion/Spirituality
  • Social Media & Mental Health
  • Suicide Prevention

Presentation Options

Destructive Perfectionism

Sometimes people who seem to have their lives together are actually falling apart under the surface. Living in an age of social media and intense comparison, many young adults today are focused on keeping up or achieving unrealistic goals of perfection.

At just 19, Madison Holleran, known to have both beauty and brains, had also earned a coveted spot on UPenn’s Ivy League track team and won multiple academic and athletic awards. It seemed like she “had it all.” Madison’s pursuit of unattainable levels of “perfection” exacerbated her mental health struggles with anxiety and depression. She struggled immensely with her sense of failure and ultimately ended her life in January 2014. Carli challenges others to ask themselves: Is this life my pursuit of happiness or my pursuit of perfection?

Virtual Version of Presentations and Workshops

Carli offers virtual versions of her presentations and workshops.

“Thank you, Carli Bushoven and the Madison Holleran Foundation, for sharing your sister Madison’s story with our Manhasset High School community. We are grateful to have learned how to talk about suicide so we might provide the help someone needs. Carli described Madison and her family in a way that our audience would relate to them. Many parents and coaches attended the presentation with their children and student-athletes and will be better equipped to recognize symptoms and speak about depression. Unfortunately, today’s digital world causes more people to feel alone and unable to express their feelings. Education about depression and suicide prevention is necessary so we know how to ask and find help. Our school guidance counselors and social workers attended so they could answer questions or concerns during the following days. The presentation will help our community be more prepared and compassionate. Thank you doing this important work in Madison’s name.”

Jennifer DeSena, Manhasset Coalition Against Substance Abuse

Pricing

$3000–$6000 (dependent on virtual or in-person presentation). All inclusive of travel, accommodations, and fees.

Virtual/In-Person

Available for Virtual or In-Person Presentations and Workshops.

Traveling From Location

New Jersey