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Tag: teens fighting stigma

Two teens will tell their story of depression on Channel 12

 

See the video

Drew Wilder of Channel 12 asked me if I knew of two teens willing to talk on camera about depression and suicide a couple of months ago. I mentioned the request to these two at the “No Eagle Left Behind” assembly at Godwin High School in March, a club they are part of.

Both of them immediately said, “I want to talk!” I was shocked at how enthusiastic and willing they were. So I sent their numbers and their parent’s numbers to Drew since he would need permission. The parents were overwhelmingly supportive. Again, another surprise.… Read more...

Heart of a winner— #griefheart number 235

Heart of a winner

One of the many joys of my advocacy work is connecting with the teens. This is Alex. She is a warrior for the cause of youth mental health and suicide prevention. And she is the Beacon Tree Foundation Jr. Ambassador of Hope Award winner for 2017.

What is the #griefheart project?

I explain my #griefheart project here.

See all #griefhearts so far on pinterest or on this blog by #griefheart category.

Allie’s Opinion on ’13 Reasons Why’ #13RW
… Read more...

I felt you with me, Charles Rogers

Charles S, Haley, Anne Moss

Charles Rogers, I am trying to spread the message any way I can because I know how you suffered. And I need to in order to move forward to cope with losing you.

So I am at Godwin High School with the student-lead group, “No Eagle Left Behind.” This group is focused on awareness surrounding mental illness, bullying, suicide and addiction. Things have changed so much since your suicide. People are starting to talk. I’ve been at it so long, fought so hard and it’s so bittersweet that it’s after your death.

Anyway, I talked … Read more...

Godwin High School Teens Speak Out!

I have had the honor of visiting with this group, No Eagle Left Behind on several occasions now from Godwin High School in Henrico County. They have explored several programs and have planned an assembly with the school that focuses on mental illness. And they made this video which rocks. I’ll be in there again for the assembly with a teen speaker from Cameron Gallagher Foundation and for an opportunity for me to talk about the #umatter or #umatterchallenge through Beacon Tree Foundation.

Alex Chaffee from Cosby High School has helped me with this program in addition to Haley, … Read more...

Teens wiping out mental health stigma

stigma fighters
Stigma fighters Alex Chaffee and Amy Lacey of ABC News
See the video on Channel 8

Like me, they’ve had enough.

They see no logic in the tradition of mental health stigma. Such a lousy, pointless tradition.

They are tired of classmates suffering. They are tired of being silent.

Now that the wave has started, I predict that we’ll have a whole new attitude toward stigma by next year this time.

Thanks to Alex Chaffee and other teens I will be highlighting here on this blog. And there are a lot more in this area speaking up and not tolerating … Read more...