i understand is a non-profit 501c3 organization that offers compassionate comfort, hope and understanding to those who have lost a loved one to suicide or are living with a mental/brain health illness. Our passion is to bring the conversation to everyday places to normalize and reduce the stigma surrounding mental/brain health. The book, written by our founder, i understand pain, love, and healing after suicide is currently in 52 units of the Michigan Sheriffs’ Department Victim Advocates Unit. This book is a resource to families who have lost a loved one to suicide. Her second book, Change Can Be Beautiful, is a small but powerful book written to share her life after loss lessons. i understand ,has also funded the first in the country, Clinical Nurse Specialist, specializing in mental health in a traditional hospital setting at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Through undraising efforts, we also provided a children's sensory room which allowed a place of comfort and calm during their hospital stay. The podcast, Behind the Smile, is a passion project that reveals what is behind your smile, and how we can inspire others through our own story to offer hope and understanding.. Our support groups for after loss meets once a week, offering a community of support. The walking group meets weekly, and Vonnie has been featured in the national publication Woman’s World on how walking helped heal her heart. The lived experience is shared by Vonnie through her voice at speaking engagements across the country, including but not limited to; Meijer, SpartanNash, PATRA, Davenport University, Lake Forest College, Winning at Home, schools, and churches. Her greatest passion revolves around the definition of suicide being outdated and stigmatized. The petition was created to update the definition to a more accurate narrative, changing the conversation and reducing stigma. Learn more about i understand and sign the definition petition at iunderstandloveheals.org.