May 23
“WHERE THERE IS CAKE THERE IS HOPE, AND THERE IS ALWAYS CAKE”
Val and I met when we both worked at Sony Pictures in marketing. I had just graduated college and moved to LA with dreams of working in entertainment, taking my first job at Sony as a digital marketing coordinator. Val was the President of the division and I was in awe of her. She was extraordinarily creative, talented beyond belief, gorgeously put together at all times and a total boss. But, what really drew me to Val was that she was authentic, empathetic, honest, kind and, largely because of all of these traits, never quite seemed like she was part of the elusive and insular “club” that is Hollywood. Over the years Val has become one of my closest confidants and friends; the west coast sister that I never had. Val is your friend who always answers the phone, returns the text, lets you cry on her shoulder and invites you to sleepover when you are lonely.
And, through it all, Val is always baking cake.
But, Val’s cakes are different. They are not brightly frosted with unicorns & rainbows, there are no sprinkles or cheery birthday wishes. All of Val’s cakes are grey. Gray to signify the gray cloud that can descend over a beautiful world when someone is struggling with mental health issues.
Val is a mental health advocate and a big part of the mission behind the movement of pop-up “Depressed Cake Shops” worldwide. The Depressed Cake Shop is a community of bakers, makers and mental health activists who have found each other through their shared interest in mental health and cake. The idea started in the UK as a fundraiser selling gray cakes with just one pop of color to symbolize hope and quickly became a global grassroots collective.
Most recently, Jeni’s ice cream partnered with the Depressed Cake Shop to sell a new flavor “Sunshine” that is a flavor that looks as muted gray as a rain cloud, but tastes like a ray of sunshine. A fun play on the mind and a pleasant reminder that things aren’t always what they seem. Sunshine is meant to raise awareness of — and spark conversations about — children’s mental health and support the work of on our sleeves. Available online and in shops, while supplies last.
About Depressed Cake Shop
One in four people will suffer from, or be touched by, a mental health issue at some point in their lives. The stigma that is still attached leads to loneliness and misunderstanding. It is often difficult to find a community of like minded people.
The Depressed Cake Shop™ is a unique (and delicious) platform designed to raise awareness of these challenges.
We facilitate pop-ups worldwide that sell highly customized baked goods and provide a safe place for conversation.
This website exists to provide information on how you can get involved, either by organizing your own pop up, attending a pop up in your community, or spreading the word about us on social media in order to keep the conversation going.
To donate baked goods or find out how you can get involved, send a note to info@depressedcakeshop.com.
To find out when a Depressed Cake Shop pop-up might be happening near you, look for announcements on their Facebook page.
https://depressedcakeshop.org/
Need help? call the national suicide prevention lifeline: 1 (800) 273–8255
