Episode 65: Melissa Bernstein of Melissa & Doug toy company gives a vulnerable account of her mental health struggles

Catherine and Francis are thrilled to welcome Melissa Bernstein to the program! Along with her husband Doug, Melissa is the Co-Founder of the toy company Melissa & Doug, which has created over 5,000 children’s products and sold billions of dollars of toys since its inception. Raised by educators, Melissa and Doug started the business in their garage in 1988, and they’ve been on a mission ever since to provide open-ended, inventive, non-technologically driven playthings for young children. Throughout Melissa’s remarkable career, she kept secret her lifelong battle with severe depression and anxiety and an early life experience with an eating disorder. She reveals her struggles in LIFELINES, her first book, which she wrote to help others who are also suffering. Melissa’s book heralds the launch of LifeLines.com, an online ecosystem she and Doug are underwriting to support those seeking support, guidance, and community on their mental health journeys. Through the Lifelines community, Melissa’s goal is to show individuals that they are not alone.

We hope you tune in to this vulnerable and remarkable sharing of a life full of struggle, strength, experience, and hope.

CW: suicide ideation, depression, anxiety, eating disorder behaviors