Mental Health

Submitted by kahoople on Thu, 02/09/2012 - 17:11

the problem:

The mental health of our children and youth is an incredibly important issue in today’s society. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for adolescents and the third leading cause of death for those slightly younger than adolescents. The CDC reports that 14% of youth between 9th and 12th grade have thought about suicide, and 11% have actually made a specific plan for committing the act.* Mental health concerns are particularly high for more marginalized populations, as many of these individuals are in high risk environments. For example, in a nationally representative survey of a youth in an inner city environment, 8% reported a lifetime prevalence of sexual assault, 17% reported experiencing physical assault, and 39% reported witnessing violence.** Exposure to trauma of this kind is clearly linked to a higher preponderance of behavioral and mental health difficulties in youth. However, these same mental health issues continue to be heavily stigmatized by our culture. This prevents many youth from coming forward with their difficulties, and not enough youth are aware of the fact that there are people available to help them. Furthermore, few youth realize how common it actually is to struggle with these kinds of issues. These are problems I want to address – I want to make children and youth in my community, particularly those in inner city New York, realize that they are not alone in struggling with these issues, and that there is help out there.
*www.astorservices.org/finding-out-teen-suicide-prevention.php
**www.nctsn.org

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

This cause is incredibly important to me, for a variety of reasons. I’ve worked intimately with children and youth in a variety of settings, from being a camp counselor to a trusted nanny, and I know how important and wonderful this population is. I also am still a youth myself – at 22 I don’t think I quite count as a full-fledged grown up yet! The idea of those younger than me and like me struggling with mental health issues in silence is terrible, and is something I want to battle against. This is a fight I am already fighting in many ways, working as a research aide at Astor Services for Children and Families, based in Rhinebeck, NY, trying to find out more about the problems that youth struggle with and the best ways to solve them. Astor is a not-for-profit behavioral health agency that provides services to children of all ages in a variety of settings, ranging from community health programs to residential treatment. We serve children throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley region and the Bronx. Through Astor, I’d like to start spreading mental health awareness by speaking at schools and other youth-serving organizations. I’d like to spread mental health awareness by disseminating both current mental health facts and statistics and the stories of the clients we currently serve at Astor, written by the clients themselves. If possible, I’d like to even bring current Astor clients to speak to other children and youth about their experiences and struggles with mental health. It has been shown that both hearing about other’s struggles, as well as sharing one’s own struggles, can help children and youth persevere and endure difficult life circumstances.* Spreading mental health awareness will also help to dispel stigma. I’d also like to include in these talks information on how to go about receiving mental health services, empowering those that need help to get the process of getting help going. I believe that the sharing of children and youth’s stories, as well as the spreading of other information related to mental health awareness, will have a profound impact on both the youth we already serve at Astor and those in the community that still need our help.
* On Playing a Poor Hand Well, by Mark Katz

the plan of action:

In order to spread mental health awareness, I’d like to start visiting schools and other organizations that serve children and youth, starting with the Bronx and Mid-Hudson Valley, and beyond if possible. I’d like to bring with me dissemination materials, like brochures filled with facts on mental health and the stories of current clients. Hopefully, I will also be able to bring along with me some support staff to participate in these talks as well. I’d also like to, if possible, bring clients with me on these talks to share their stories – this would require support staff to ensure the well-being of youth that accompany me on these trips. I’d also like to bring with me information on how to start receiving mental health services, and for each site I go to, be prepared with information specific to mental health services in that site’s area. Ideally, I’d like to do these talks at least twice a month for a year or longer, coming into contact with as many children and youth as possible. By accomplishing these goals, I feel that my project will have a deep impact on everyone I reach, and that this impact will disperse outwards as those I am able to talk to share what they have learned with others.

how you can get involved:

Anyone can help with this project. Simply talking about mental health issues in a knowledgeable and caring way helps dispel stigma, and helps increase the chance that children and youth that need help will seek it. Anyone that is present at these information sessions I hope to hold will then also be able to spread this information. They say knowledge is power, and in the case of mental health awareness, that is certainly true. I want to spread that power!

project updates:

Submitted by patsdc89 on Thu, 02/09/2012 - 14:13

Check out our videos!

the problem:

The problem I am trying to solve is more than a specific issue. I am trying to promote positivity to the world that is currently filled with negative media and thoughts. The media have turned into a very negative thing and it has affected millions of America. Then I created an organization call true underdogs with a focus on inspirational individuals hoping to create a website, a place, that holds positive events where anyone can go to, to show inspirational videos and build a supportive network for people who want to do positive things. At the same time, in the videos I will bring out a special issue while sharing with the audiences certain things we can do to help out a cause such as "autism awareness," which my organization will take part in a road race that promotes autism awareness. The videos will feature people from all corners of society so anyone can find a video that they can relate to.

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

It is important to me, because it keeps me positive. As a college student, it is very disappointing to see that unemployment is high and there are not a lot of jobs out there. However, when I see the people in my videos and see how each of them went from a desperate situation and turned into a positive state. I learned that it is all about what you are willing to do to get better and to fulfill a dream. That is what I learn from my videos and I hope it can affect other people and to tell other people not to give up.

the plan of action:

So far, I have created more than 15 videos and held two premieres showing of these videos. Make T-shirts to support this cause. At each premiere there have been at least 50 people and I have sold 100 t shirts to support this cause to make this organization more well known.

Right now, I want to create more videos. Create a road race, a concert, a premiere, and aim to raise awareness of a few specific issues over the summer. So far, I have decided to raise autism awareness interviewing a few people with autism children in my neighborhood and a teacher who teaches autistic kids to spread this belief.

how you can get involved:

In order to have a successful organization my videos are my number one priority so I can tell the stories more effectively. So I would need to know more people to be in my films, and meet musicians to provide me with new musics so I can improve the quality of my work.

Having grant money to support this can help me make many of the goals come true such as sponsoring a road race for charity, holding an event, and creating a concert that focus on positive music.

project updates:

videos:

Submitted by lauren.e.anderson on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 13:17

the problem:

Lack of education and support in Northern Virginia to youth suffering with mental and emotional issues. Teens feeling alone if they are suffering with a mental illness and don't know where to turn - thereby increasing the possibility of self-harm or suicide.

vital stats:

people impacted:

200

people involved:

why it's important:

My younger brother took his life at the ripe age of seventeen. At the time of his death, he was silently struggling; there lacked an environment in which he felt comfortable addressing the dark and deep issues he was facing. The Josh Anderson Foundation's goal is to implement programs in local High Schools and the community that strive to reduce the negative stigma that is associated with mental and emotional challenges, to increase the dialogue between students, peers and adults, and to provide each teen with the knowledge that they are not alone and resources exist to help them.

the plan of action:

Identifying the key problem areas: 1) stigma/shame associated with any sort of mental and emotional suffering, 2) lack of education and therefore knowledge on mental health issues and the resources that exist to help. The Foundation is working to implement programs targeting high school students that create awareness of mental health issues, promote education on mental health illnesses, provide resources of easy ways to seek help and create an open environment in which teens feel comfortable having a dialogue on mental health.

how you can get involved:

Visit www.joshafoundation.org; donate to our annual fundraiser http://www.active.com/donate/joshafoundation

project updates:

138184159_1.jpg

Are you cringing at the sight of chocolate and flowers lately? When you see a romantic couple, do you feel angry? These symptoms can only mean one thing: Valentine’s Day is near.

Don't spend the holiday mourning. There are many benefits to being single:

Submitted by pryanon on Mon, 02/06/2012 - 23:35

the problem:

There are over 3 million people living with intellectual and mental disabilities in Kenya.Most of them are form poor families and cannot afford the cost of getting treatment.The mentally disabled are stigmatized in the community and they eventually become a burden to their families who are forced to lock them up in inhuman conditions in their homes.The I Matter Project will be seeking to address the plight of mentally disabled children by providing specialized education facilities that will enable them to become self reliant adults.Working in conjunction with the Busilwa School for the mentally disabled in rural western Kenya,the project will raise funds to build specialized latrines in the school and renovate the classrooms to provide a more conducive learning environment for these poor children who would otherwise not be able to attend school.

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

This project is important to me because I grew up with a sibling with a mental disability and because my parents were able to take her to school,she learned basic survival skills and is now working and can support herself.I believe that many of the children with mental disabilities can be helped through the program and their future made better through education.

the plan of action:

First and foremost,the project will work on creating awareness about the importance of allowing children with mental disability to attend specialized schools.These will help free those locked up children and give them a chance to make something of their lives.With funding from foundations and philanthropists,the project will then help fund the renovation of the Busilwa School for the Mentaly Disabled which is now serving 56 students,36 school based and 20 home based and with the number likely to increase.The renovations will include building adapted latrines that suite the students.Enlarging the classrooms and painting them in brighter colors to offer a more conducive environment at school.Eventually,the project will help the school find funding to build boarding facilities to host students who have to travel long distances to attend the school.The expected impact of the project is to reduce the burden that special needs children bring to their parents by training these children to become self reliant as they grow up.The project also hopes to reduce the stigma of the mentally disabled in rural areas of Kenya.

how you can get involved:

People can help by creating awareness of the issue,not just in Kenya but in other parts of the world.They can also volunteer towards making the project a success and offer their advice and input.

project updates:

Submitted by swat.megan on Fri, 02/03/2012 - 22:24

Check out our videos!

the problem:

Suicide awareness. Many people are not aware of the warning signs, how to deal with a friend considering suicide, or how to cope with the loss of a person. This day of suicide awareness is to make people aware of these things and to try and get people to talk about it.

vital stats:

people impacted:

1,000

people involved:

1,000

why it's important:

A friend's father died due to suicide. She asked me to spread it to my high school to make people aware of the danger of suicide.

the plan of action:

Make posters, T-shirts, and commercials talking about suicide awareness. To try and get people to talk about it, and realize the phrase, "kill me now" should be taken seriously and is nothing to be joking about.

how you can get involved:

Wear Purple on February 10th! If you know someone who you think is in danger of committing suicide, get professional help right away.

project updates:

videos:

Submitted by syedhshabbir on Fri, 02/03/2012 - 20:50

the problem:

The BODY Community Garden Project aims to address alarming rates of diabetes and obesity in the Bronx, New York. Currently, more than 1 in 10 persons in the Bronx has diabetes and more than 7 in 10 are either obese or overweight. Access to fresh fruits and vegetables is limited which invariably plays an important role in poor health outcomes.

vital stats:

people impacted:

300

people involved:

why it's important:

Bronx, Obesity, Diabetes and You (BODY) is a group of medical and graduate students at Albert Einstein College of Medicine dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the community. We are concerned about the dangerously high rates of obesity and diabetes in the Bronx, New York and hope to address this epidemic by improving access to fresh, nutritious foods and a green, friendly space.

the plan of action:

In a little over a year, we have acquired usable land for the garden and have already engaged the community in order to better address their needs and to incorporate their vision into the garden design. We want the garden to serve as a space for exercise, a source of fresh and healthful foods, and as a common space for health and nutrition education. With strong support of the community, the BODY Community Garden will not only be a place for growing produce, but for the nurturing of healthy relationships and lifestyles for all involved.

how you can get involved:

We are always looking for donations and volunteers to help us with our project. For more information on ways to help and contacting us please visit us at our website: http://bodyateinstein.comeze.com/

project updates:

Submitted by Lovemusiciam on Fri, 02/03/2012 - 17:31

the problem:

To help people with depression, addiction, and self-farm to find the To Write Love on Her Arms organization and realize that there is help out there for them. We hope to bring awareness to a subject a lot of people don't like to talk about and help people connect with each other through the problems they've gone through.

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

We know a lot of people who struggle with depression and self harm and how many of them never get help. We feel that if they know about the TWLOHA organization they will begin to see that there are people out there that will help them and that they need help.

the plan of action:

We are going to raise money through fundraisers to bring bands to our local amphitheater to have a concert, we will give all the ticket money to the TWLOHA organization and sell their merchandise there to help raise money.

how you can get involved:

Donating money for bands, we contacted Remedy Drive and they said they would cost 2500 with light and sound, and we want to guarantee that all the ticket money will go to the organization. You could also help by sharing your experiences with TWLOHA or depression. If nothing else moral support would be great.

project updates:

Submitted by sacpros on Fri, 02/03/2012 - 05:39

the problem:

Empowerment magazine was created to help address the lack of a professionally produced magazine written by individuals with direct or indirect experience of mental health issues in Greater Sacramento Region

vital stats:

people impacted:

50,000

people involved:

why it's important:

The magazine empowers individuals with direct or indirect experience of living with or overcoming mental heath issues to talk about their positive experiences; something they normally do not get to do in a public way,

the plan of action:

Empowerment Magazine goals and objectives are:
-To inspire individuals with direct or indirect experience of mental health issues to get the best out of life.
-To challenge the prevailing stereotypes about mental illness and spreading information to help everyone understand that mental illness is just like any other illness.
-To provide a safe forum for people with mental illnesses to express their opinions on all areas of their wellness and recovery, something they normally do not get to do in a public way.
-To be a positive and uplifting voice in mental health community

how you can get involved:

Send your inspiring story, poem, artwork or photographs.The magazine is seeking Freelance Volunteer Writers and Photographers

project updates:

Submitted by xTany Boox on Thu, 02/02/2012 - 13:34

the problem:

Raising awareness and educating the world about the importance and danger of self harm, reasons behind it and personality disorders that are linked to self harm. Also giving support, help, and guidance to those suffering from a personality disorder and those who intentionally harm themselves and letting them know they are not alone.

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

It is important to me because i personally am being affected by a personality disorder and struggling with the addicting affects of self harm, i know what it feels like to suffer alone and in silence and i also know many others who feel the same.

the plan of action:

To spread the information of my cause all over the web hoping to educate, influence and help people. Hopefully hold different events, make a website and change lives.

how you can get involved:

By supporting the cause and spreading the message...click the website link...."LIKE" the page and "SHARE" with others.