Note: These journals entries are excerpts from a journal kept during my time interning at MHA Westchester between January and June, 2015. These entries are not in chronological order.
Wow. Today I helped out at the Suicide Prevention Community Conversation hosted by MHA at the Chappaqua Library Theatre. I took pictures, helped set up information tables, and helped sign people in when they arrived at the event...hundreds of individuals showed up, which was incredible. The panel included a survivor of a suicide attempt, who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a father who lost his son to suicide, a psychologist who lost her sister to suicide, and an MHA staff member who is extremely knowledgeable about the topic.
Wow. Today I helped out at the Suicide Prevention Community Conversation hosted by MHA at the Chappaqua Library Theatre. I took pictures, helped set up information tables, and helped sign people in when they arrived at the event...hundreds of individuals showed up, which was incredible. The panel included a survivor of a suicide attempt, who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a father who lost his son to suicide, a psychologist who lost her sister to suicide, and an MHA staff member who is extremely knowledgeable about the topic.
The stories of these individuals, each of whom have been impacted by suicide in a unique and equally heartbreaking way, opened my eyes to this issue in a new and powerful way, and gave me a deeper understanding of why the work MHA does is so important.
Every time I meet someone who has been affected by MHA in some capacity, and displays an incredible amount of courage in sharing his or her story with the world, I realize just how powerful speaking up about mental health can be. I was truly hit with this realization at the Suicide Prevention Community Conversation in Chappaqua. The journeys of the panelists truly serve as examples of what it means to be strong in the face of tragedy. These individuals teach us that being honest about the messiest of situations is crucial, as doing so will instill hope in others who may be struggling in similar circumstances. At the event, audience members, inspired by the dialogue amongst the panelists, began to stand up out of the crowd and share their own perspectives and feelings relating to the topic. I can not imagine the bravery it must take to stand up in front of hundreds of people and be so vulnerable, but by doing so, these individuals are changing the culture surrounding mental health struggles, which is not only inspiring, but necessary.
It became so clear in my mind at the Suicide Prevention Community Conversation that the work MHA does truly matters, as I witnessed firsthand how talking about mental health can change lives.
-Haley Stern
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| The panel at MHA's Suicide Prevention Community Conversation. |
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