To make the Just Five education accessible to those who are visually impaired, the educational lessons have been reproduced as individual audio files which can be accessed on the Audio Lessons page.

QEDInvestors

Español

1 in 3 people are affected by addiction or mental health issues. Just Five delivers – in just five minutes per lesson - the most important concepts and facts regarding addiction. Learn who’s at risk, how to know if a person has a substance use disorder, and more. Invest just five minutes to better understand this illness.

An Amazing Talent Lost Far Too Soon…

in honour of Greg Mazanec

Greg was a partner at our venture capital firm QED Investors, where he leveraged his extraordinary talents and infectious enthusiasm to help early stage companies grow and thrive. Many of our investment successes have Greg’s unique fingerprints all over them.  Greg graduated from Vanderbilt University and managed the sales team at LivingSocial before joining QED. Greg loved WWII history, mentoring, and reading to his son, George. He lived every day full speed ahead and didn’t miss a damn thing. He was a passionate advocate, relentless, and always the iconoclast. We all miss him terribly.

Let's Start a Dialogue....

Let's Start a Dialogue....

Like too many organizations, QED knows firsthand the pain and anguish of losing a beloved colleague to substance use disorder (SUD). It is from this place that we are really thrilled to embrace the opportunity to work with Operation Lighthouse (a foundation created by Greg’s family) to reduce the impact of addiction in the community Greg loved best: the world of entrepreneurs and startups. QED, in conjunction with Operation Lighthouse, is partnering with Shatterproof to bring the Just Five program to our portfolio companies. We know that many of you are likely to be touched by this disease in some way in your lifetime – whether a family member, a friend, or a colleague. The better you can understand it, the better positioned you will be to help. Through this program we wish to open a dialogue about mental health issues, challenge the stigma, and offer a scientifically sound option with humane compassion for those afflicted by this disease. The Mazanec family carefully evaluated many organizations before determining that this was the perfect partner to tackle SUD in early stage companies.

Before you start the lessons, please take a short anonymous survey.

What Addiction Is and Who Is at Risk

The Science of Addiction

Think addiction only happens to certain kinds of people? See why addiction is not a choice but a disease that changes the brain.
Start Learning

Are You at Risk?

Why do some people develop addiction, while others don’t? Learn the three key factors—and how to reduce your risk.
Start Learning

Signs, Symptoms, & Treatment

Worried you or someone you love may have a substance use disorder? Take a one-minute addiction quiz to find out if it’s time to seek treatment.
Start Learning

How You Can Make a Difference

How You Can Help

It can be overwhelming to know how to help when someone you care about is struggling with addiction. Learn four things you can do to support someone with addiction or to support a friend or coworker managing addiction in their family.
Start Learning

Words Matter

Words are powerful. A single word can encourage change, or stop someone from pursuing the help they need. Learn about the power of words here.
Start Learning

Stages of Change

Understanding the stages of change helps one manage expectations and know the best way to respond to another’s behaviors by matching encouragement, empathy, and support to the stage they are in.
Start Learning

The Gift of Recovery

Recovery from substance use disorder isn’t just about surviving – it’s about thriving. Listen to three stories for hope and inspiration about the road to recovery.
Start Learning

Ways to Protect Yourself and Others from Opioids

The Dangers of Prescription Opioids

Commonly prescribed for pain, opioid use comes with risks. Get the facts about how opioids work and how you can protect your family.
Start Learning

Fentanyl: Get the Facts

Get the facts on fentanyl and learn why it’s so dangerous. Fentanyl can't be seen, tasted, or smelled, and only a couple of specks when mixed into pills can be deadly.
Start Learning

Please take a final survey.

Confidential and Voluntary

Please know that your use of the Just Five website is completely confidential and voluntary. Rest assured that no one from QED Investors, Operation Lighthouse, or your company receive any data or information from Shatterproof about you as an individual or your specific use of the Just Five program. If you have been touched by addiction directly, have concerns about your personal situation, or simply want to learn more we hope you will find this program to be impactful.

National Mental Health Resources

National Mental Health Resources

Suicide Prevention Hotline

1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK)

National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI)

https://nami.org/Home

1-833-626-4244

Mental Health First Aid

to talk to a Crisis Text Line counselor

Text “MHFA” to 741-741

SAMHSA National Helpline

(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

https://www.samhsa.gov/

1-800-622-4357 (1-800-662-HELP)

TTY: 1-800-487-48889

The Trevor Lifeline

For LBGTQ+ youth

1-866-488-7386

Text START to 678-678

Veteran’s Crisis Line

https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

1-800-273-8255 (press 1 when connected)

Text 838255