Real Voices: Shereta, Shelley, and Mary

Real Voices: Shereta, Shelley, and Mary

Today’s Real Voice comes from the Stanley Sessions Project, highlighted in Prevention Through Art week. The Stanley Sessions Project was created by Whitney Saleski and aimed to reduce the stigma surrounding suicide with photography and storytelling. Real Voices will involve stories that may be triggering or sobering to hear. So, if you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255, or dial 911. The Crisis Text Line for Georgia is Text GA to 741741, this is a free 24/7 text line for people in crisis.

This is Shereta, Shelley, and Mary’s story.

“Our friend, Alisha M. Priest, was full of life. She was creative, loved people, and they loved her. She was strong but didn’t know it. She was an encourager but found it difficult to encourage herself. She was a giver. Alisha was a great mother to her son, Timothy Priest II, and was a wonderful wife, sister, and friend. She was also a loving daughter. Alisha loved HARD! She loved God, His word, and His people. Alisha was wise beyond her years. She was a gifted hairstylist, and even overcame her battle with weight and became a body builder. She was truly beautiful on the inside and the outside. But because of some childhood issues that she battled throughout her life, Alisha was plagued with depression. This constant struggle contributed to her suicide on Father’s Day, 2006.
If only she could have seen herself the way we saw and LOVED her, we know that she would still be with us today.”

To learn more about Shereta, Shelley, and Mary’s story and the Stanley Sessions project go to http://stanleysessions.com/.

Real Voices: Kate

Real Voices: Kate

This week’s theme in celebration of Suicide Prevention Month is Real Voices. During this week, we will be hearing real stories from real mental health professionals, loss survivors, and attempt survivors. We at V4P are hoping that seeing and hearing their stories of how they dealt with suicide, in one way or another, will provide courage and spread awareness to the importance of suicide prevention. This week’s theme will involve stories that may be triggering or sobering to hear. So, if you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255, or dial 911. The Crisis Text Line for Georgia is Text GA to 741741, this is a free 24/7 text line for people in crisis.

The first Real Voice comes from the Stanley Sessions Project, highlighted in Prevention Through Art week. The Stanley Sessions Project was created by Whitney Saleski and aimed to reduce the stigma surrounding suicide with photography and storytelling. This is Kate’s story.

“A lot of people think of depression as adding something, as if it’s merely an increase in sadness. Really, it’s all about subtracting. When I struggled with depression several years ago, I found myself incapable of feeling real joy, real excitement, or real pleasure. I found it hard to care about things that would usually have mattered deeply to me. I lost my sense of self, and I lost my hope for the future. After a while, it didn’t feel so much like living as it did existing. And when I realized that I couldn’t imagine there ever being a light at the end of this empty, lonely tunnel, I began to think of suicide. I considered it, frequently, over a couple of years. I could delve into what was going on in my life at the time; the factors that exacerbated my situation, reasons that it felt like a solution, or the plans I formulated. But that stuff doesn’t matter, and there’s no point laying blame. At the end of the day, my depression came down to brain chemistry, and I had neither the knowledge nor the support to deal with it. I don’t know why I decided to ask for help. I didn’t really think that things could get better, but I guess I decided that I had nothing to lose.
So, I asked for help.
Miraculously… beautifully, I got it. And my world began to change. Depression and other mental illnesses can still be scary topics for people to discuss. There remains such a lack of understanding. This is why I strive to be open about my experiences, and why projects like the Stanley Sessions are so important. To anyone struggling with depression and thoughts of suicide, please know that you’re not alone. There are so many resources out there that can help, and even if it’s hard to see, there really can be a light at the end of the tunnel.”

To learn more about Kate’s story and the Stanley Sessions project go to http://stanleysessions.com/.

Prevention Through Photography

Prevention Through Photography

Photography has played a great role in suicide prevention, and today V4P would like to honor that fact. Photography provides a visual aid in taking away the stigma that suicide can bring to a person. This visual medium can help humanize the stereotypes associated with suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and depression. A great example of this is a suicide prevention photography project started in 2014 by Whitney Saleski called the Stanley Sessions. After losing her father to suicide, Whitney began the Stanley Sessions. The Stanley Sessions is a photo project featuring people affected by suicide—both those who have lost someone or have attempted, themselves. Her project aimed to reduce the stigma surrounding suicide discussion through photography and the written word. This project ended in 2019, but if you would like to view the photos or learn more about it click the link provided http://stanleysessions.com/about.

Another great example of using photography as a visual medium is the work done by Connie Martin Trevino. Connie who has been working as an artist for many years using photography, paintings, and sculptures to express her artistry. Her work can be seen in the Hulu series Little Fires Everywhere, where she created all the artwork for Kerry Washington’s character Mia. Below is Connie’s description of what emotions she has when taking the photo shown.
“To me witnessing the sight of a sunrise or a sunset causes me to reflect on how each day is a new opportunity to start fresh. To evolve and change. With each new day I am allowed the freedom to choose to better than I was the day before. I know that challenges will arise and may often seem unbearable, but I also know that they can be conquered. This is the first time that I have ever said publicly that I’ve felt on the edge many times but told myself that I deserve to be here, to be happy and live a long natural life. What I know is it’s essential to take care of your whole self-first.”

To learn more about Connie’s work you can follow her on Instagram at @ultratrevino. If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255, or dial 911. The Crisis Text Line for Georgia is Text GA to 741741, this is a free 24/7 text line for people in crisis.

Prevention Through Film

Prevention Through Film

CLICK HERE RSVP TO WATCH THE MOVIE - SEP 18 | 6pm

Today’s focus for Prevention Through Art week is film. Films has been used for centuries to help spread awareness. In celebration of today’s focus of film, V4P will be hosting a virtual movie screening of The Ripple Effect by Kevin Hines today at 6pm. The film highlights the journey of Kevin Hines, who at age 19, attempted to take his life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. The film chronicles Kevin’s personal journey and the ripple effect it has on those who have been impacted by his suicide attempt and his life’s work since. In addition, the film highlights the stories of individuals and families who are utilizing their personal tragedy to bring hope and healing to others.

Today Kevin is a world-renowned mental health advocate, motivational speaker and author who travels the globe spreading a message of hope, recovery, and wellness. This film is just one of many that have been utilized to support suicide prevention. For more films in suicide prevention, please visit The Glendon Association list at https://www.glendon.org/product-category/suicide-prevention-dvds/. If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255, or dial 911. The Crisis Text Line for Georgia is Text GA to 741741, this is a free 24/7 text line for people in crisis.

Prevention Through Music

Prevention Through Music

Music has been shown to have many benefits for mental health conditions, so today V4P would like to highlight the benefits of music in suicide prevention. Music therapy has been proven to help process emotions, grief, and trauma. Music can also be applied as a regulating or calming agent for anxiety. So how exactly can music help with depression and anxiety? There are four main ways music can serve as an avenue for therapy: active music listening, lyric analysis, improvisation music playing, and songwriting.
Listening to music can be used to regulate or alter your mood. Selecting a song with rhythmic and repetitive aspects in it engages the neocortex of our brain which lowers impulsivity and calms us. With lyric analysis, you are encouraged to give insight to a songs lyric or give alternative lyrics or themes that can apply to obstacles in your life. Playing instruments can encourage emotional expression, socialization and exploration of conflicts, communication, and grief. Songwriting provides an opportunity for you to express yourself in a positive way.
We at V4P want to acknowledge what an amazing tool music is in the world of suicide prevention. So, grab your favorite fun song and turn up the volume. If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255, or dial 911. The Crisis Text Line for Georgia is Text GA to 741741, this is a free 24/7 text line for people in crisis.

Prevention Through Novels & Plays

Prevention Through Novels & Plays

The focus for today are books and plays in our Prevention Through Art themed week. Books and plays provide the world with an artistry that is everlasting. Reading a good book or play and getting lost in the story, can give the reader a deep relaxation and sense of inner calm. Reading regularly has been shown to lower the readers stress levels, raise their self-esteem, and better their sleep. V4P would like to encourage all our readers to find a story that speaks to you today. You can select a classic play like Shakespeare, a newsletter, or a motivational novel. There is no bad selection when it comes to reading.

V4P has a Suicide Prevention Toolkit and the Georgia Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan available for a great read under Resources. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (‘AFSP’) have a great list of book suggestions for loss survivors. To look at AFSP book list go to https://afsp.org/books-for-loss-survivors. If you are interested in more of a biography about someone who suffered from mental health struggles, Bassey Ikpi has a great book of essays entitled I’m Telling the Truth, but I’m Lying. To gain more information about this book go to https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/40390773-i-m-telling-the-truth-but-i-m-lying. So, grab your cup of tea or coffee and pick up a good read today!

If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255, or dial 911. The Crisis Text Line for Georgia is Text GA to 741741, this is a free 24/7 text line for people in crisis.

Prevention Through Painting & Drawing

Prevention Through Painting & Drawing

During this week’s theme, Prevention Through Art, we are touching on how art can be a source of healing for some. It provides a gateway into a world of your imagination and emotions that is limitless. For today’s art of choice, we will look into the world of painting and drawing; and how these forms of art can provide support in suicide prevention. Creating art, whether through drawing or painting, allows us a chance to express our inner thoughts and truly explore what you may be feeling.

Letting your emotions spill out onto a canvas is a form of release and can bring about reflection on what is causing you anxiety or depression. In the same way painting/drawings can provide you with great release, it can also provide you with a way to disconnect from stress and decompress. The practice of painting and/or drawing requires focus and concentration, providing the room for a person to get lost in thought as they paint/draw.

Voices for Prevention wants to encourage you to take some time out this week to create your own piece of art. Grab a piece of paper or canvas and draw what suicide prevention mean to you? V4P is having a virtual art gallery campaign on our social media to find out what you see suicide prevention as through art. Use the hashtag #Art4Prevention and post a picture of your art on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. When you submit your artwork using the #Art4Prevention, you will automatically be entered to win a V4P raffle prize. All posts using the #Art4Prevention will be highlighted on our website and social media platforms. Our virtual art gallery will stop taking admission on September 28th. The winner of the giveaway will be announced September 30th on all our social media platforms and website. We cannot wait to see what you create!

If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255, or dial 911. The Crisis Text Line for Georgia is Text GA to 741741, this is a free 24/7 text line for people in crisis.

Prevention Through Dance

Prevention Through Dance

Today at Voices for Prevention we would like to celebrate dance in the world of suicide prevention. Dance has been proven to be a great form of therapy in addition to standard treatments for depression and mental health disorders. Dance not only allows participants an opportunity for physical activity, but also provides a space for individuals who feel depressed to interact with others on an emotional and social level. Dance allows individuals to move with courage and freedom, that we cannot always express in our everyday lives.

You do not have to be a skilled dancer to enjoy dancing. All it takes is a song in your heart and movement of your body to participate. We at Voices for Prevention encourage all our readers to take a moment today to dance. Turn on your favorite song, close your eyes, take deep breath, and move in any way you feel. Let the music and your heart take lead.

We would like to highlight the work Galen Hooks, a professional choreographer and dancer, does within the dance community. She encourages all her students to dance through their fears, anxiety’s, and sadness to present their true selves to the world. We hope you enjoy the below clip of one of her students KJ dancing. Galen Hooks is based out of California but does travel nationwide and teaches. To find out more about Galen Hooks and her dance courses you may go to https://www.galenhooks.com/speakeasy .

If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255, or dial 911. The Crisis Text Line for Georgia is Text GA to 741741, this is a free 24/7 text line for people in crisis.

Prevention Through Art Week

Prevention Through Art Week

Art therapy has long been studied for its benefits and effectiveness with the treatment of depression, anxiety, and mental health disorders. This week at Voices for Prevention, we would like to appreciate the world of art in suicide prevention. Throughout this we week we will be looking at various avenues of art like poetry, film, dance, music, painting, etc. in the world of suicide prevention. The first form of art we will discuss for Prevention Through Art week is poetry.

Poetry often puts our angers, joys, and fears into words. This is one of the reasons’ poetry has been found to provide great release to individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts. According to the Britannica dictionary, poetry is “literature that evokes a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience or a specific emotional response through language chosen and arranged for its meaning, sound, and rhythm.” This definition makes it easy to see how someone experiencing emotional distress can find relief in writing or reading poetry. Releasing your emotions through word not only provides great freedom to you, but also can provide your loved ones a peak into what you may be going through.

If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255, or dial 911. The Crisis Text Line for Georgia is Text GA to 741741, this is a free 24/7 text line for people in crisis.

GMHCN for Change

GMHCN for Change

The last organization we want to highlight this wk is Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network. The GMHCN believes in the ability of everyone living with mental health concerns to enjoy lives of purpose, meaning, productivity, and wellness. Since it was founded in 1991, this grassroots nonprofit organization has been led and run by mental health peers—people in mental health recovery. GMHCN has evolved into a statewide organization of over 100 employees engaged in advocacy, education, training, and peer support services for the people of Georgia.

GMHCN is recognized as a national leader in the peer support movement. At its core, the basis of peer support—one person using their lived experience to support another—is not new; in fact, it is the basis of human growth and development. Mental health peers with special training are now able to use their lived recovery experience in clinical settings to provide something beyond a diagnosis or medication. We provide the evidence that we can and do recover from our mental health challenges. We provide skills, tools, and above all, hope.

GMHCN offers a Georgia Crisis & Access Line 24/7 at 1(800) 715-4225.