EP 16: Creating PS I Love You Day: How Two Sisters Turned Tragedy into a Global Mental Health Movement with Jaimie and Brooke DiPalma

What begins as unimaginable loss can become a powerful force for healing, hope, and connection.In this deeply moving episode of Prescribing Possibility, Dr. Dympna Weil sits down with sisters Jaimie and Brooke DiPalma, the founders of PS I Love You Day, a nationwide mental health awareness initiative observed every year on the second Friday of February.After losing their father to suicide when Brooke was just 14 and Jamie was 17, the sisters made a courageous decision: to transform their grief into a movement that would break stigma, open conversations, and remind people they are never alone. What started as a small school initiative has now grown into a movement celebrated by over 600 schools, communities, and organizations across the country.Together, they share:The emotional story behind PS I Love You Day and how it was bornHow wearing purple became a symbol of connection and supportWhy mental health conversations matter, especially for young peopleHow schools use kindness campaigns, post-it notes, assemblies, and week-long programming to change cultureThe importance of grassroots action and “just starting”How small acts of love can have lifelong ripple effectsThe evolution of PS I Love You Day from elementary schools to colleges and communitiesThe powerful theme for 2026: Be the LightThis episode is a reminder that possibility lives even in the darkest places—and that one brave idea can change thousands of lives.Key TakeawaysYou don’t have to be an expert or have funding to make impact—just belief and actionMental health conversations save lives when they’re made safe and visibleKindness, visibility, and community matter more than perfectionHow to Get InvolvedWear purple on the second Friday of February in honor of PS I Love You Day.Register your school, workplace, or community and access free resources at:https://psiloveyouday.net/ Support ResourcesIf you or someone you love needs immediate help, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.Support is always available. https://988lifeline.org/Thanks for listening. Your support means everything - so if you are moved to, please leave me a review and share this episode with a friend who may need the messages held here.Don't be a stranger. You can reach me at [email protected] Websitehttps://www.dympnaweil.comSubstack (or other newsletter)https://substack.com/@dympnaweilInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/dympnaweil/Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.