our founder

breaking the stigma of mental health and empowering women and teens

My purpose is to ensure that women and teens do not face their well-being battles on their own. We want to provide a safe space where they can gain support and agency.

-Cat Miller, Founder

Meet our founder:
Cat Miller

Cat Miller was an established problem-solving professional. After earning an MBA from Harvard, she built a successful career as an investment banker, living a life filled with adventure and success. But everything changed when pregnancy and an undiagnosed chronic illness triggered a depression. Years of struggling with her mental health followed, ultimately leading her to become a passionate advocate for the well-being of women and teens, committed to ensuring others don’t face the same battles alone. 
 
More specifically, motherhood brought unexpected challenges in 2008. As Cat cared for her newborn daughter, she found herself mentally and physically exhausted. Her once-sharp mind, used to tackling complex business problems, struggled with even simple tasks. “I used to write in-depth analyses, but suddenly I couldn’t follow a recipe,” she recalls. 

After two years of feeling trapped in a fog, Cat was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2010. Although part of her was relieved to have an answer, her symptoms – fatigue and emotional detachment – didn’t improve. “There were times I felt no pain or disappointment at the thought of not waking up,” she admits. “I wasn’t the mother, wife or friend I wanted to be. I was so angry and devastated to finally admit I was depressed.” 
 
As her daughter grew older and struggled with her own mental health, Cat blamed herself. She wanted to be the same kind of supportive mother her own mom had been to her, but her depression had left her feeling like an imperfect parent. 
 
When her daughter began taking medication for anxiety and showed immediate improvement, Cat realized that mental health support could work. “If medication can help her, maybe it can help me,” she thought. Through antidepressants, exercise, improved gut health, spending time outdoors and connecting with others, Cat’s mental health significantly improved. “I remember moments thinking to myself, ‘Wow, THIS is joy!’” she recalls. 
 
By 2023, Cat had gained a deeper understanding of how life transitions impact mental well-being. The shift from her high-powered finance career to being a stay-at-home mom had been abrupt, and she realized many women struggle with similar changes, often compounded by hormonal shifts. 
 
This journey deepened her awareness of the stigma surrounding mental health, especially for women. Now, Cat is determined to break that stigma, empowering women and girls to seek help without shame. Through her own experiences, she’s turned her pain into purpose, creating a supportive community where open conversations help women and teens heal and thrive. 

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Get to know Cat Miller and her way up

What’s the core philosophy behind ThisWayUp?

We will challenge the mindset that it’s not OK to talk about mental health struggles. We want women and teens to have a community to support them and to have science-backed resources to better understand how they’re feeling. And we want to give them tools to improve wellbeing.

What role does community play in mental health?

Research shows that community is one of the most important components of strong mental health. A community of women speaking authentically about their mental health journey lets women and teens know they’re not alone. That’s powerful. Knowing you’re not alone cannot only help you feel better but also increases the likelihood that you’re willing to reach out for help.

How do you break down the stigma?

WE TALK ABOUT IT – CANDIDLY! The more we authentically share our stories about struggling with mental health, the more likely it is that someone can relate and connect. Women and teens can become more confident they’re not alone and that it is OK to not be OK. And it’s OK to talk about it and reach out for help!

What makes ThisWayUp different?

Glad you asked… We have no conflict of interest – we are here because we want to support women and teens. We offer a community of support with stigma-fighting women sharing their personal stories. We are authentic in all we do. All our resources are science backed and presented in a way that busy women and teens can quickly explore.

What impact do you hope ThisWayUp will have?

I hope we quickly reach the day when health is discussed and treated comprehensively – both physical and mental health together. When women and teens struggling with wellbeing can just as easily ask for and receive the right help as someone with, for instance, a broken bone. When women and teens don’t feel alone because they’re not OK.

We’re dedicated to closing the critical gaps in mental health care for women and teens.

ThisWayUp is created to provide a safe space where women and teens can find expert guidance, evidence-based resources, tools and support and where they can share their mental health struggles with a community that gets it.

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you are not alone

If you're looking for additional support, here are some helpful links.

If you’re in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm, immediate help is available.

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or your local emergency services.

Text HOME to 741741 for 24/7 confidential support.

Dial 911 or visit your closest emergency health care facility in your area.