Show teen artists love, support
Since I’ve become involved in community suicide awareness and prevention programs, I’ve come to realize the best chance we have in eradicating the alarming and epidemic-sized tragedy of suicide is to support our youth. Statistics clearly show the problem of despair in teens and young adults is ramped for a variety of reasons. Awareness of sexual identity, the abyss of social media, anxiety and feelings of isolation are just some of the shared complexities for those navigating these tender emerging years of life.
The challenge to make a positive difference for those who are struggling with their mental wellness can feel daunting. As many of you know, I write often about the loss of my two brothers to suicide in hopes that by sharing my family’s story, others may benefit. This is a case where good must rise from our lingering sorrow. Even so, I’ve often felt helpless in how to make a difference. Despair of the deep soul is hard to reach, I know. Regardless, I’ve persisted in collaborating with others from our community who share the unique pain of suicide. We say we are part of a club we never asked to join, but have grown to love one another in authentic and compassionate friendships.
Leigh Ann Fulford is such a friend. She lost her sister to suicide and has spent tireless years honoring her sister by trying to make a difference. The problem of suicide feels huge and heavy for those of us who’ve been touched by this unique loss. Often, I feel like hope is fleeting, but then I’m inspired by my friend Leigh Ann who’s become passionate about the possibility of healing us all through the voices of our youth.
Leigh Ann is the founder of the GEM Art Contest and acts as an advisor to students from various area schools involved. Her mission, born from loss, is to bring awareness to the unique struggles for our youth, and to eliminate the stigma in talking about such difficult subjects. What better way to help these students than for them to help one another?
GEM stands for Goal: Everyone Matters. The GEM art contest was developed by a team of high school students involved with local Hope Squads in Montgomery County Schools. Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention support group with hundreds of chapters throughout the United States and Canada. Hope Squad teams encourage fellow students to express their personal feelings regarding mental health struggles through artwork, which is then submitted to the GEM art contest. The mission of the contest is to give youth hope to keep going and find a way through tough times. I have seen past year submissions, and the product of such bold creativity is inspirational and encouraging. These teen artists are like superheroes that bring light and hope to difficult and often painful shared feelings. The artwork generated
is printed onto notecards, posters and other items that can be distributed throughout the Greater Miami Valley.
The GEM Suicide Prevention Art Contest Awards Ceremony is this Sunday, Feb. 26, at 1 p.m. at the Fairmont High School Auditorium. This is an awesome event that showcases the power of our youth to show the rest of us a path toward collective healing. Nothing would empower these young artists more, vulnerable enough to display their souls on canvas, than to have an auditorium full of supporters. If you have a few hours this Sunday, join them in celebration of their courage. I can speak to their inspiration and the fact that the world needs them.
Details of the contest can be found at www.gemprojectdayton.org, and questions may be directed to gemprojectdayton@gmail.com.