About Us

22 Forever empowers adolescents to understand and protect their developing brains through science-based education. We provide engaging “Brain Health” learning experiences that help young people recognize how their choices, environments, and habits shape mental health through the power of neuroplasticity. Our goal is to build healthy, resilient minds by equipping youth with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive into adulthood.

Born from a mother’s loss of her 22-year-old son, Anders Meisenheimer, to an accidental overdose following years of mental health and substance use challenges, our mission is rooted in prevention, compassion, and hope.

Our Founder and President

Kristen M. Gilliland, Ph.D.

Kristen M. Gilliland is an Assistant Professor of Research at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and the founder of a nonprofit organization called 22 Forever. 22 Forever was created in honor of her son, Anders who developed schizophrenia in his late teens—something she believes was connected to his early use of high-potency cannabis. As his mental health declined, he struggled with addiction, and in 2019, she tragically lost her beautiful boy to an accidental overdose at the age of 22.

Losing Anders changed the course of her life. Today, her purpose is to educate youth and their caregivers about the developing adolescent brain – how repeated stress, substance use, and excessive screen time can affect the brain’s development and function. She educates on the concept of neuroplasticity to help young people understand how they can strengthen and shape their brains through mindfulness, self-compassion, emotional regulation, creativity, and challenges – building the foundation for lifelong mental well-being.

Credentials

B.S. in Biochemistry from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (1992)
Ph.D. Organic Chemistry from University of Colorado, Boulder (1998)
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Angelo State University, TX (courses taught: organic chemistry and chemistry of drugs and poisons)
Tenured Associate Professor, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (courses taught: organic chemistry, neurochemistry, and chemistry of drugs and poisons) (2000-2018)
Drug Discovery Scientist, Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery at Vanderbilt Medical School (researched new treatments for schizophrenia) (2018-2023)

Director of Outreach and Advocacy, Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery at Vanderbilt Medical School (community teaching: adolescent brain health, impact of stress, substance use, and screen time of the developing brain)
Assistant Professor of Research, Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery at Vanderbilt Medical School (neuroscience educator)
22 Forever (non-profit) – President and Executive Director – (developing middle school brain health curriculum)