The Beginning ​

Mara James is the driving force behind the Extraordinary Lives Foundation. Originally from New York, Mara relocated to California with her husband, Kenneth, and three children in 2007. They established Kenneth’s OBGYN practice and for seven years Mara ran the busy office. In 2014 her world fell apart.

Out of the blue, at aged 48, Mara experienced a severe manic episode and was diagnosed as bipolar. Mara and Kenneth had already been dealing with mental struggles in their family as they have a child who has Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. Mara sought help wherever she could find it and will be forever grateful to her psychiatrist and the many gifted healers who helped guide her back to mental health and wellbeing.
​
The magical gift that has emerged from her battle is a determination to encourage prevention and early diagnosis of mental challenges in children and encourage parents to explore holistic options as well as traditional medicine.
Vertical Divider
“The more children learn to deal with their emotions, the more resilient they will become. Early diagnosis and the right treatment for that particular individual can help avoid self-medication with drugs and alcohol, and discourage self destructive behavior.”
​
– Mara James

Addressing the Problem

There is a growing mental health problem amongst teenagers and young children. In Orange County, CA alone — where ELF was founded — 33.1% of teenagers needed help for an emotional or mental disorder in 2016, and only 15.1% received help [Source]. ELF is committed to changing these numbers.

Mara has put together a team of caring and loving individuals, many of whom are parents, who have been touched by mental health challenges either directly or indirectly. Together they aim to shine a more positive light on mental health, reduce the stigma and promote a more holistic way of treating mental health challenges rather than in isolation.
​
Achieving balance and harmony of spirit, mind and body is the key to well being. Let us all work together to help achieve this for each and every child.

Shining A Brighter Light

Mara tells her story and encourages us to stand up against stigma. There is no health without mental health.