Mara J James
AUTHOR

Mara J James

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Mara J. James is an author, visionary, entrepreneur, and advocate for mental health. She is on a mission to empower others to rise above life’s challenges and embrace the truth that healing is possible – and it is powerful. Mara and her husband, Dr. Kenneth James, met at the University of Rochester and now have the honor of being parents to three amazing adult children. They relocated from New York to Orange County, California in 2007 and fell in love with the community and the incredible sun-filled lifestyle of the West Coast. In 2014, at the age of 48, Mara experienced a life-altering manic episode and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Like so many, her journey with mental health had begun much earlier. Together with her husband, Mara had already been navigating a complex path of emotional challenges within their family, including raising a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. Refusing to be defined by her diagnosis, Mara sought help from both traditional psychiatry and gifted holistic healers. Mara knew that her manic episode was a spiritual awakening, an experience that transformed her life. Inspired by her personal healing and the emotional experiences of those she loves, Mara became a force for change in the world of children’s mental health. In 2015, she founded the Extraordinary Lives Foundation (ELF), a nonprofit organization committed to improving children’s mental health and emotional wellness and removing the stigma surrounding mental health challenges. Shortly after launching ELF, Mara created Piggie Bear; a beloved, heart-centered character designed to help children understand and manage their emotions. Throughout Mara’s healing journey and spiritual awakening, she felt called to share her story and the many amazing things she discovered were truly possible. Writing became a way to do that, and her first two books were written for children. Her award-winning book ‘The Power of Piggie Bear’ followed by ‘Piggie Bear’s Power of Happiness’ are full of tools and encouragement for younger children to learn how to navigate their emotions and build resilience. Mara’s new book ‘Unconditional; Mental Health Redefined’ offers insights through a new lens, for anyone facing mental health challenges or supporting someone who is. As Mara expands her ventures in empowering others, she continues her quest for change, knowing the future of mental health starts with the hearts and minds of our youngest generation.
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