About Mental Joe Apparel

Chad McLean didn’t set out to start an apparel brand — he was just trying to survive. After a lifetime of childhood and military trauma that led to anxiety, depression, and a Greatest Hits list of diagnoses, Chad hit rock bottom with a suicide attempt in 2020.

That night cracked him open. And in the middle of what felt like total darkness, a lifeline appeared: ketamine therapy — and with it, something even more unexpected… a vision.

During one of those early treatments, Chad saw it clearly: a bold, unfiltered apparel company that would raise awareness, fight stigma, and spark raw, healing conversations around mental health and the power of psychedelics. Not long after, *Mental Joe* was born — a brand built on lived experience, pain turned purpose, and one hell of a healing journey.

But this isn’t just Chad’s story — it’s Cari’s too.

Because while Chad was struggling, Cari was right there beside him, carrying her own weight, fears, and burnout. For years, she had been silently battling the toll of loving someone in pain — holding it all together for their family, often at the cost of her own wellbeing.

After that life-changing night, Cari realized she needed healing, too. She began her own journey through psychedelic-assisted therapy and integration, and together, they started doing the work — not just as individuals, but as a couple and as parents.  

Now, they speak out. Loudly. Honestly. Sometimes awkwardly — but always from the heart.

Mental Joe isn’t just a brand. It’s a movement made up of conversations happening behind the scenes — whether it’s a DM from someone who’s lost hope, a Zoom call with a struggling spouse, or a coffee shop meetup with a couple trying to rebuild what trauma tore apart. Chad and Cari show up. They listen. They guide. Because they’ve been there.

Mental Joe was created to *do more* than make cool t-shirts (though let’s be honest, the shirts are pretty badass). It was created to spark change — by inspiring open dialogue, connecting people to alternative healing options like ketamine and psychedelics, and helping fund real solutions for those who need it most.

Every purchase helps fuel this mission.
Every conversation helps break the silence.
Every person who wears Mental Joe becomes part of a community fighting to Conquer the Battle Within.

So grab a shirt. Start a conversation. And if you ever need someone to talk to… we’ll probably meet you for coffee.

At Mental Joe, we believe healing starts with honesty — and sometimes that honesty happens over a Zoom call, a DM at 2am, or a cup of coffee with a couple who’s just barely holding it together. Behind the scenes, we’re not just shipping shirts — we’re having real conversations with real people who are in the thick of it. Whether it’s a veteran searching for alternative healing, a first responder’s spouse who’s at her breaking point, or someone who just feels lost and unheard, we show up. We listen. We connect.

This is more than apparel — it’s a movement.Mental Joe was born to spark bold conversations, inspire hope, and provide resources and funding for those struggling with mental health… and the people who love them. We exist to amplify the voices that are often silenced and to fight for access to non-traditional treatments like ketamine, psychedelics, breathwork, and trauma-informed healing. Because we’ve lived it. We are it.

Mental Joe is a give-back brand that uses every shirt sold to power a greater purpose. When you wear our gear, you’re not just raising awareness — you’re raising funds to help someone Conquer the Battle Within. So rock the shirt, share the story, and if you see us out there, don’t be surprised if we stop to chat — healing takes a village, and we’re here for all of it.

Welcome to our Board Members - Our Tribe, as we like to call them. We are delighted to introduce you to the pillars of our foundation, a team united in a singular mission: to foster mental wellness in individuals and communities across the globe.​

Every person you see on this page has a profound understanding of the courage and resilience it takes to address mental health. This understanding stems from their diverse backgrounds, from military service to mental health advocacy, from healthcare to human resources, and much more.

Board Members

Board Advisory