By Russell DanDRiDge
PhotocreditstheJedFoundation
B
rittany Snow is a well-known
face and name these days.
Because of that notoriety she
has lent her support to an
organization called the Jed
Foundation in order to help raise the
organization’s awareness - it
provides programs to encourage
young people to seek help if needed
for themselves or for a friend.
“They also share stories from other
teens and young adults about their
own personal journeys in dealing
with these problems,” Snow begins.
“I think everyone can relate to these
thoughts and feelings, and many can
relate to diseases like depression and
eating disorders. There are not many
resources out there for young people
to turn to, and sometimes they feel
alone. I wanted to share my story
and help in any way I could to put
out a message that no one has to deal
with this alone and there is help.”    and how we can deal with these
Snow got involved with The Jed
Foundation a few years ago because
she says she wanted to get involved
with a charity that deals with issues
she found important personally and
that she felt everyone should be
more aware of overall.
“The Jed Foundation deals with
emotional health issues like
depression, eating disorders, self
injury and suicide,” she explains.
“I had a friend in high school who
died by suicide and I found that
many of my friends have struggled
with these issues in one way or
another. The Jed Foundation sends a
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message that no matter what you are
dealing with, you are not alone and
there is help available.  imagined. I’ve had girls come up
Snow has been working with the
Foundation for a little over three
years and says it has been an
amazing experience. One of the
highlights has been to work on the
“Half of Us” campaign (halfofus.org)
with mtvU to create a personal story
about her own struggles and how
she overcame them.
“I have presented at the Jed
Foundation’s Gala and I’m now
working on creating a campaign with
the photographer Tyler Shields called
‘It’s On My Mind’, “ she says. “The
goal of the campaign is to raise
awareness of emotional health issues
and encourage people to speak up if
they are struggling. The piece will
explore a range of emotions, how
many people feel like they are alone,
issues. We want them to know that
they’re not alone – that there is help.
I am also doing a PSA for the
Foundation, which is being produced
by Golden Globe winner Jon
Landau.”
In the future Snow says of working
with the organization, “I hope to be
more involved for as long as I can
and do anything to help this amazing
organization. I have gotten so much
out of working with The Jed
Foundation. I shared my personal
story a couple years ago in hopes
that I would help even just one girl
who was struggling. It was very
scary and hard for me, but the
outcome was more than I ever
to me and say that I saved their life.
I have gotten letters from young
adults saying that they watch my
story almost daily and it has given
them hope to beat what they are
going through. I will never forget
what people have said to me. It is
truly a life-changing experience.”
A few years ago too, Snow said she
was lucky enough to be able to speak
at the gala about her friend who died
by suicide.
“I was honored that they would ask
me to speak and was amazed at how
people received my story.”
From Tampa, Florida, Snow moved
to Los Angeles when she was 15, but
actually began modeling when she
was just three years old.
“I started when I was three in
modeling and commercials,” she
concludes. “I did a few television
shows, the soap opera ‘Guiding
Light’, when I was 12 to 15. I then
moved to L.A to do ‘American
Dreams,’ a television show on NBC.
From there I started doing movies
and television and have been
working hard ever since.”  
So what does she do in her down
time? She says when she is not
working and taking the time to
promote the Jed Foundation she
actually collects clocks and Polaroid
pictures.