At Start Day One, our mission is simple but powerful: to inspire people to stop dreaming of “one day” and instead start their journey today. We are dedicated to changing the global perspective on mental health by challenging the reactive approach taken by doctors, organizations, and society. Waiting for symptoms to appear or for people to cry out for help is not prevention; it’s crisis management. 

We believe the true path to mental wellness begins with proactive steps—changing how people think and helping them make life-changing decisions before they hit rock bottom.

Our Story

When our founder, Ricardo Zulueta, lost his brother to suicide, he learned a life-changing truth: depression and anxiety, just like happiness, are not the cause of our problems. They are natural, temporary emotional responses to our perspectives. It’s not our circumstances that drive us to despair; it’s how we see those circumstances. This is why even rock stars can commit suicide while homeless people fight every day just to survive. It’s not about what happens to us—it’s about the story we tell ourselves.

We all know we should live life to the fullest, yet we still complain about Mondays, traffic, or bad weather because it’s human nature to take life for granted. Sometimes, we feel a spark of hope after hearing a great story or we vow to appreciate life more when we lose someone close to us. But too often, this sense of inspiration is temporary. Motivational quotes and uplifting messages are meaningless unless they lead to action.

After speaking to thousands of people, Ricardo realized that a negative perspective doesn’t just stop at frustration—it grows into anxiety, depression, addiction, and eventually, suicidal thoughts. Yet society teaches us to wait for the symptoms before offering help, as though saying someone is depressed because they "have depression" makes any sense. It’s like saying someone is happy because they "have happiness."

The Problem

We cannot solve any problem by focusing on the symptoms. Prevention requires action before the symptoms show up. It’s like trying to prevent cavities without brushing your teeth or hoping to avoid diabetes without eating a healthy diet.

In the same way, you can’t fix your life until you make a decision. Accountability and action are the only ways to move forward, whether it’s quitting the job you hate, letting go of past trauma, going on that long-overdue vacation, or starting your dream business.

Most professionals and organizations in mental health take a reactive approach—waiting for people to show signs of distress before intervening. In fact, they've made matters even worse by saying that the result is the cause, which is why they always suggest pills as the solution.

They also compound the problem by suggesting that someone is depressed because of their depression, or anxious because of their anxiety, which creates a circular and unhelpful narrative. These symptoms are not the cause, but rather the result of underlying issues in how people perceive and cope with life's challenges.

This confusion between cause and effect often leads to an overreliance on medication as a primary solution, rather than addressing the underlying factors that contribute to mental health struggles.

Our Solution

Our nonprofit is dedicated to inspiring people to change their perspectives from waiting for "one day" to starting "day one." And once you begin, it doesn’t stop at day one—there’s a day two, day three, and beyond. Our approach is built on the understanding that we don’t get overwhelmed because we have too much to do or too many problems to solve. We get overwhelmed because we don’t know where to start. But here’s the truth: life changes only happen when you decide to make them.

Start Day One helps people make those decisions. We raise funds to send speakers to schools, military bases, rehab centers, and events—reaching people before they fall into a mental health crisis. We distribute inspirational content that challenges the way people think and encourages them to take action.

When you find yourself complaining or making excuses in your pursuit of happiness or fulfillment, it’s NOT because it’s impossible… You just haven’t DECIDED to do it yet.

Why You Should Support Us

Suicide rates are at a 30-year high. Every day, 121 lives are lost to suicide in the United States alone, with more than 800,000 people dying by suicide worldwide each year. Yet, many of these deaths could have been prevented if someone had spoken up sooner, if someone had inspired them to start day one instead of waiting for “one day.”

Start Day One is working to break the silence surrounding mental health and empower people to take action early. Through your support, we can reach more schools, workplaces, and communities, spreading a message of hope and proactive change. You have the power to help change someone’s perspective—possibly saving a life.

Fundraising

At Start Day One, we raise funds to:

• Create and share inspirational content that spreads awareness about our mission, philosophy, and proactive approach to suicide prevention. By exposing people to transformative messages, we aim to inspire lasting change in how they view mental health.
• Host free discussions and events—both online and in person—featuring inspirational speakers, life coaches, therapists, and mental health experts. These gatherings provide valuable insights and foster open dialogue about mental wellness.
• Send speakers to key venues such as schools, military bases, rehab centers, and public events. Through these talks, we inspire individuals to shift their perspectives and adopt healthier mindsets.
• Empower fellow mental health advocates to join our mission, providing them with the tools, resources, and platform to help spread our message and support proactive mental health practices.

T.E.A.L.: The Color of Prevention

Our foundation’s theme color is TEAL, symbolizing what we can all give to help in suicide prevention: Time, Effort, Attention, and Love.

Proactively giving time, effort, attention, and love can play a significant role in suicide prevention by creating a supportive environment and strengthening social connections. Let's explore how each of these elements can contribute:

Time:

Spending time with someone shows that you value their presence and consider them important. This can:

• Reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, which are often risk factors for suicide
• Provide opportunities for open communication and sharing of concerns
• Create a sense of belonging and connection
• Allow you to notice changes in behavior or mood that might indicate someone is struggling

Effort:

Putting extra effort into your interactions demonstrates genuine care and investment in the person's well-being. This can:

• Boost the individual's self-esteem and self-worth
• Show that they are deserving of attention and positive experiences
• Create positive memories and experiences that can serve as anchors during difficult times
• Encourage reciprocal effort, strengthening the relationship

Attention:

Paying close attention to someone's life and listening actively can:

• Help identify early warning signs of mental health struggles or suicidal thoughts
• Make the person feel heard and understood, reducing feelings of isolation
• Provide opportunities to offer support or resources when needed
• Validate their experiences and emotions, which can be crucial for those struggling with mental health issues

Love:

Offering unconditional love and acceptance can:

• Provide a strong emotional support system
• Help counteract feelings of worthlessness or being a burden, which are common in those considering suicide
• Create a safe space for vulnerability and honesty about one's struggles
• Reinforce the idea that the person's life has inherent value

By proactively offering these four elements, you can:

• Build resilience: Strong social connections and support systems can help individuals better cope with life's challenges and stressors.
  
  
• Increase help-seeking behavior: When people feel loved and supported, they may be more likely to reach out for help when they're struggling.
  
  
• Challenge negative thought patterns: Positive interactions and experiences can help counter the negative thought spirals that often accompany suicidal ideation.
  
  
• Create a safety net: By being present and attentive, you can potentially intervene or provide support during critical moments.
  
  
• Promote a culture of care: Your actions can inspire others to be more supportive and attentive, creating a broader network of care in the community.
  
  
• Reduce stigma: Open conversations and demonstrations of support can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and seeking help.

It's important to note that while these actions can significantly contribute to suicide prevention, they are not a substitute for professional help when needed. If you suspect someone is at immediate risk of suicide, it's crucial to connect them with mental health professionals or crisis support services.

By consistently offering time, effort, attention, and love, you create an environment where people feel valued, supported, and connected – key factors in reducing suicide risk and promoting overall mental well-being.

Let’s work together to create an environment where no one has to wait for symptoms to be heard. Let’s inspire change today, so that more people can live tomorrow.

With your help, we may not be able to start a new beginning for everyone, but we can help them create a new ending—one filled with hope, purpose, and strength.

Join us in changing the conversation. Let's make today their day one.