Your Story Isn’t Over
What began as a small support circle between a mother and daughter has grown into a movement of hope. At ;ust Breathe;, we create safe, healing spaces where young women learn to breathe through the struggle and find strength in their stories.
Born from a journey of healing, ;ust Breathe; stands as a reminder that even after the hardest chapters, there’s always more to write. Together, we pause, breathe, and choose hope—one breath, one story, one life at a time.
Co-Founder & Executive Director, ;ust Breathe
Trish West is a licensed clinical social worker, addictions specialist, speaker, and mental health advocate with nearly 20 years of experience walking alongside individuals and families through life’s challenges. She co-founded ;ust Breathe with her daughter to create a safe space for girls and young women struggling with anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts.
What began as a personal journey turned into a powerful mission: to let young people know they are not alone and that healing is possible. Trish believes deeply in the power of connection, education, and showing up without judgment. Her work combines clinical training with lived experience, creating an approach that’s both compassionate and real.
In addition to leading ;ust Breathe, Trish is the founder of Noel Integrated Services, Incorporated, where she provides therapy, coaching, and support to individuals and families. Her motto: Healing happens one breath at a time.
Founder’s Message
Hi, I’m Trish and I just want to say: thank you for being here.
;ust Breathe was born from one of the most personal and painful chapters of my life, walking alongside my daughter through her struggles with depression, anxiety, and self-harm, and not knowing where to turn. As a therapist and a mom, I realized how many young people are silently hurting and how many families are doing their best to help but still feel lost.
That’s why we created ;ust Breathe: to be a safe space where healing can begin. A space where young people feel seen, heard, and supported. A space where families can learn, grow, and breathe again together.
You don’t have to have it all together to start healing. You just have to take the next breath.
We are on this journey together… one breathe at a time.
With love,
Trish
Co-Founder, ;ust Breathe
Eboni Noel is the co-founder of ;ust Breathe;, a nonprofit inspired by her personal journey through anxiety, depression, and self-harm. After being bullied in middle school, she silently carried the weight of her pain, even with a therapist mom by her side. With time, therapy, and genuine peer connection, Eboni began to heal and found her voice.
She went on to graduate from high school, and now uses her personal story to advocate for mental wellness, self-awareness, and peer support. Her experience became the foundation for ;ust Breathe;, transforming pain into purpose.
Today, Eboni continues to uplift and inspire youth, reminding them that healing takes time—and it all begins with one breath.
Founder’s Message
Hi, I’m Eboni.
When we started ;ust Breathe, I knew it had to be a space where girls could be real about what they’re going through. Because I’ve been there.
I transferred to a middle school in North Carolina after attending a small parochial school in Maryland. Everything felt different – bigger, louder, harder. I started getting bullied, and for a while, I didn’t know how to handle it. Even though my mom is a therapist and always made space for me to talk, I kept it all to myself. I felt like I had to figure it out on my own.
At school, I met friends who were also struggling. They introduced me to self harm as a way to cope. At the time, it felt like the only way to release the pain I didn’t have words for. But it only made things worse. Deeper inside, I knew I needed help.
When my mom found out, we talked, really talked, for the first time about what I was going through. I started therapy and began to heal. Together, we created a small support group with other girls my age who were trying to find their voice and their strength again. That small group became the heart of ;ust Breathe.
Now, I use my story to remind other girls: You don’t have to face this alone. There’s help. There’s hope. And there’s healing – one breath at a time.
With love,
Eboni
;ust Breathe; began in 2021 as a small peer support group started by a mother and daughter, Trish West and Eboni Noel, who turned their personal pain into purpose. At the time, Eboni was healing from the emotional aftermath of being bullied in middle school after transferring to a new school. Like many teens, she struggled with anxiety, depression, and self-harm, suffering in silence even with a therapist mother by her side.
Together, they created a space where Eboni and other girls her age could talk, breathe, and feel less alone. That group became the seed of something greater.
In February 2024, Just Breathe; officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, committed to supporting girls and young women ages 12–21 as they navigate their mental health journeys. Through community programs, education, and advocacy, Just Breathe; provides safe, affirming spaces for both youth and families, helping them grow through what they go through.
Why the Semicolon (;)
The semicolon in “;ust Breathe” is intentional. In writing, it marks a pause, a moment when the sentence could’ve ended but didn’t. For many who struggle with mental health, the semicolon symbolizes survival: a quiet, powerful choice to keep going.
For Eboni and the youth we serve, the semicolon means, “My story isn’t over.” It’s a reminder to pause, breathe, and choose hope.
One breath at a time. One story at a time. One life at a time.
