These goals range from the practical to the political — some can be achieved by personal routine, while others will take a more advanced effort in time and commitment. You might ask yourself, “How can I possibly make a difference?” It’s a legitimate question, so we’ve taken each of the main goals and listed some big-picture action items needed to reach the goals (“What needs to be done”).

Then we’ve listed individual action items that one person — like you — can help make happen (“What you can do”). Do one, and you’ll start making a difference. Convince others, and you’ll help make the goals a reality.

If you’d prefer to help us meet our goals through financial action, please click the Donate button at the top right of this page. That will take you to the donation page for Invisible International, a non-profit organization we respect, and whose goals are aligned with ours. They’ll put your tax-deductible contribution to good use towards the cause.

Goal: More awareness, especially of the neuropsychiatric symptoms of tick-borne illness

• Launch a public awareness campaign through various media channels.

• What needs to be done:

• Identify the target audience and their preferred media channels.

• Develop a compelling message or story that resonates with the audience.

• Design visual assets like posters, videos, and infographics.

• Secure ad placements on TV, radio, and online platforms.

• Monitor the campaign's reach and impact, adjusting as necessary.

• Partner with influencers or celebrities to amplify the message.

• What you can do:

• Social Media: Share articles, videos, and infographics about tick-borne illnesses on personal social media profiles. Engage in discussions and answer questions based on personal knowledge or experiences.

• Engage with influencers or celebrities on social media by sharing personal stories or asking them to spread awareness about tick-borne illnesses.

• Write to local celebrities or community leaders, urging them to use their platform for this cause.

• Community Boards: Post informational flyers or brochures on community bulletin boards in local grocery stores, libraries, or community centers.

• Collaborate with health organizations and institutions.

  • What needs to be done:

  • Identify potential partner organizations with aligned missions.

  • Reach out to these organizations with a proposal for collaboration.

  • Organize joint events like seminars, webinars, and workshops.

  • Co-create educational materials and resources.

  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the collaboration and gather feedback.

• What you can do:

• Attend local health seminars and workshops to gain knowledge.

• Host a workshop of your own.

• Share upcoming health events with friends, family, and community members to increase attendance.

• Volunteer at these events to assist with logistics, registration, or information dissemination.

• Distribute informational brochures and pamphlets in community centers, schools, and hospitals.

  • What needs to be done:

  • Design clear and informative brochures.

  • Identify distribution points like community centers, schools, and hospitals.

  • Coordinate with these places to ensure smooth distribution.

  • Periodically restock and update the materials.

  • Collect feedback on the usefulness of the materials.

• What you can do:

• Obtain brochures from local health departments or online sources and distribute them in your neighborhood, workplace, or at community gatherings.

• Educate close friends and family about the importance of awareness and encourage them to share the information further. Share a link to this website.

Goal: Tick-borne illness clinics that everyone could have access to

• Advocate for government funding to establish and maintain tick-borne illness clinics.

  • What needs to be done:

  • Research available government grants or funding opportunities.

  • Prepare a compelling proposal highlighting the need and benefits of tick-borne illness clinics.

  • Engage with local and national legislators to gain support.

  • Attend public hearings or meetings to voice the need.

  • Monitor the progress of funding requests and adjust strategies as needed.

• What you can do:

• Write letters or emails to local representatives expressing the importance of funding for tick-borne illness clinics.

• Participate in local town hall meetings or public hearings to voice support for such initiatives.

• Offer mobile clinics in remote areas to ensure wider access.

  • What needs to be done:

  • Assess the feasibility and costs associated with mobile clinics.

  • Identify areas with the highest need for such services.

  • Provide telehealth services for those unable to visit clinics in person.

  • Promote the availability of these services to the target communities.

  • Gather feedback to continuously improve the services.

• What you can do:

• If living in a remote area, collaborate with neighbors or community members to request mobile clinic services from health departments or organizations.

• Volunteer to assist with logistics or coordination if a mobile clinic visits the area.

• Utilize telehealth services for personal health concerns and encourage others to do the same.

• Share positive experiences with telehealth to reduce stigma or hesitation in the community.

Goal: Preventative measures by those who spend time outdoors

• Develop and distribute guidelines on how to dress and what precautions to take when outdoors.

  • What needs to be done:

  • Research best practices for tick prevention outdoors.

  • Create a user-friendly guide or checklist.

  • Distribute the guide through various channels, both online and offline.

  • Offer workshops or demonstrations on implementing these guidelines.

  • Update the guidelines based on new research or feedback.

• What you can do:

• Follow guidelines for outdoor protection against ticks and share these practices with friends and family.

• Organize small community gatherings or neighborhood meetings to discuss and share best practices.

Goal: Regular testing and screening for tick-borne diseases
in people struggling with mental illnesses in psychiatric hospitals and jails

• Work with health departments to integrate tick-borne disease testing into regular health screenings in psychiatric hospitals and jails.

  • What needs to be done:

  • Engage with health department officials to discuss the importance of regular testing.

  • Propose a testing protocol or framework tailored to psychiatric hospitals and jails.

  • Train medical staff on the testing procedures.

  • Ensure the availability of necessary testing equipment and resources.

  • Monitor the testing rates and outcomes, making adjustments as needed.

  • What you can do:

  • Advocate for loved ones in psychiatric hospitals or jails to receive regular tick-borne disease screenings.

  • Share information about the importance of such screenings with community members to build collective support.

• Train medical staff in psychiatric hospitals and jails to recognize symptoms of tick-borne diseases.

  • What needs to be done:

    • Organize specialized training sessions or workshops focusing on the neuropsychiatric symptoms of tick-borne illnesses.

    • Provide them with resources, such as reference materials or access to experts, for continuous learning.

  • What you can do:

    • Share personal experiences or knowledge with medical staff during personal visits or consultations.

    • Provide feedback to medical institutions if you notice gaps in their knowledge or approach.

• Advocate for policy changes to mandate regular screenings in these settings.

  • What needs to be done:

  • Research existing policies related to health screenings in psychiatric hospitals and jails.

  • Draft proposed policy changes or amendments.

  • Engage with policymakers and legislators to gain support.

  • Mobilize the community or stakeholders to voice support for the changes.

  • Monitor the progress of policy changes and adjust advocacy strategies as needed.

  • What you can do:

    • Sign petitions advocating for policy changes.

    • Engage in community discussions or forums to build collective support for policy changes.

• Provide resources and support for treatment if individuals test positive.

  • What needs to be done:

    • Ensure that there's a clear protocol in place for the treatment of individuals diagnosed with tick-borne diseases.

    • Collaborate with pharmaceutical companies or health organizations to secure necessary medications or treatments at discounted rates or for free.

    • Offer counseling or support groups for patients and their families to navigate the challenges of the disease.

  • What you can do:

    • Share personal experiences or success stories regarding treatment to motivate and support others.

    • Connect individuals with local resources or support groups to help them navigate their diagnosis.

Empower yourself and others to improve the diagnosis and treatment of tick-borne illnesses in your community and beyond. Let’s make it our shared goal to eliminate the needless pain and loss these stealth diseases can cause.