Empowering Resilience and Advocacy
Our Mission
Better Not Bitter Society exists to strengthen mental well-being, resilience, and belonging through community-based education, peer connection, and inclusive programming.
Our mission is to support individuals and communities in navigating adversity by fostering shared learning, mutual support, and opportunities for personal and collective growth.
Through participation, education, and engagement, we work to create environments where people feel connected, valued, and equipped to thrive.
Our Vision
We envision inclusive, connected communities where individuals of all backgrounds and identities feel supported, valued, and able to thrive.
Our vision is a society in which mental health is openly understood, stigma is reduced through education and dialogue, and people have access to community-based spaces that foster resilience and well-being.
Through connection, compassion, and inclusion, we work toward a future where choosing growth over bitterness becomes a shared and sustainable reality for all.
Purpose
Annual Better Not Bitter Summit (BNB)
The Annual Better Not Bitter Summit is our flagship public education and community engagement initiative focused on advancing mental health awareness, inclusion, and social connection.
The Summit brings together individuals, community leaders, and subject-matter experts to participate in facilitated dialogue, shared learning, and lived-experience storytelling. Through open conversation and accessible education, the Summit works to reduce stigma, strengthen resilience, and foster meaningful community connection.
The impact of the Summit extends beyond the event itself by supporting ongoing engagement, learning opportunities, and community-based programs that contribute to long-term well-being and inclusion.
Our Commitment to Mental Health & Community Support
Guided by this commitment, our programs create opportunities for learning, connection, and shared understanding, helping individuals and communities build resilience, reduce stigma, and foster meaningful support:
The Ally Buddy Program
The Ally Buddy Program is a structured peer-support initiative that connects individuals through intentional, non-hierarchical relationships rooted in shared experience and mutual encouragement.
The program reduces isolation, strengthens community connection, and supports ongoing engagement beyond the Summit.
The Masterclass Series
An expert-led education series focused on mental health awareness, financial literacy, legal literacy, and leadership development, supporting equity-seeking communities through practical learning and capacity-building.
The Thriving Women
The Thriving Women Project is a community-based education and empowerment initiative that supports women from marginalized and underrepresented communities in overcoming systemic barriers to economic participation and well-being.
Through accessible learning, and capacity-building, the program strengthens financial awareness, confidence, and holistic wellness supporting women to move beyond survival toward stability, leadership, and long-term thriving.
Join the Movement
Whether you join as a supporter or participant, the Better Not Bitter Summit creates space for connection, learning, and shared growth.
Together, we foster a culture rooted in resilience, inclusion, and collective progress.
How It Started ...
The Better Not Bitter philosophy was shaped by the lived experience of founder Mariat Jibril and her journey of resilience, perseverance, and growth. Through navigating personal challenges and supporting others through their own, Mariat recognized a clear gap: the need for inclusive, supportive spaces where people could connect, learn, and build resilience together.
At pivotal moments when bitterness could have taken hold, Mariat chose growth, reflection, and purpose. She came to understand that lasting strength is built not by ignoring adversity, but by transforming lived experience into learning, connection, and opportunity.
Inspired by this understanding, she founded Better Not Bitter Society to address mental health stigma, foster belonging, and support personal and community development. What began as a personal philosophy evolved into a community-focused organization committed to education, peer connection, and inclusive programming that supports emotional well-being, social inclusion, and economic participation.
Better Not Bitter is more than a phrase it is a shared commitment to resilience, growth, and collective care. It reflects the belief that individuals and communities can move forward with intention, choosing connection and possibility over isolation and discouragement.
