Pineapple Support Appoints Leah Mahi, Mark Hassell as Community Liaisons
Pineapple Support has appointed Leah Mahi and Mark Hassell as community liaison officers to act as “approachable and trusted sources of information for performers that want to know more about working with the organization,” noted a rep.
Mahi serves as XBIZ’s director of marketing and advertising for the digital media market, while Hassell counts “over 17 years of experience working with leading companies in the adult industry,” the rep said, and will help provide access to Pineapple Support and “its network of trained and licensed counselors and therapists, though won’t provide advice or support directly.”
Founder and CEO Leya Tanit explained that “stigma around accessing emotional support, or even just not knowing what to expect, can act as barriers to performers getting access to the services they need.”
“Mark and Leah are both highly respected and trusted members of the adult industry, so anyone that might feel more comfortable approaching a familiar face for stigma-free information about accessing our support can do so, safely and easily,” Tanit said. “I’m thankful to them both for helping to provide performers with a safe bridge to support, and in doing so, championing access to mental health services in our community.”
The group, founded in 2018 by Leya Tanit after a string of losses in the adult industry from depression and other mental illnesses, has so far connected over 5,000 adult performers and industry members to mental health services, including free and low-cost therapy, counseling and emotional support.
Performers and members of the adult entertainment industry are encouraged to approach Mahi or Hassell directly for information about Pineapple Support and its services.
