Loved...and Never Alone
Happy Giving Tuesday Everyone!
Today is "Giving Tuesday, which is often stylized as #GivingTuesday for the purposes of hashtag activism. It refers to the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the United States. It is touted as a "global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.'" Wikipedia I don't think it's a coincidence that Giving Tuesday falls right after Black Friday and Cyber Monday - two days where we tend to focus on buying material things for ourselves and for our family members. Giving Tuesday tries to put the focus back on the spirit of giving to those in need. This morning as I listened to National Public Radio on my way to school, they were matching $25.00 gifts to public radio with 25 meals for families in need through the VT Foodbank. I hope you will consider how you can give today. As a reminder giving comes in many forms and it doesn't always have to be about money. You can give your time, energy, and positivity to others as well.
One of the ways I want to give today is by sharing resources with those in need. The holiday time, though peaceful and joyful for many, can be a hard and dark time for others. It is hard when we are apart from loved ones - because of circumstances, distance, or death. It can be hard when one doesn't have the resources to provide extravagant holiday celebrations or lavish gifts or when one knows that they won't receive lavish gifts. It's a dark time of year, literally. The sun rises late and sets super early and we don't get a lot of vitamin D from daylight, which helps produce chemicals in our bodies that make us feel happier. It is a documented fact that rates of self-harm and suicide go up during the holiday season. So today, I am here to give you a reminder of hope.
I am here to remind you that YOUR ARE LOVED and that you are NEVER ALONE! I am here to remind you that it gets better, with time and support you can feel the light and joy of the season.
For the last couple of months, I have had a pair of socks hanging on my bulletin board that says NEVER ALONE. They also have a phone number, 1-800-273-8255, on the toe, which is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. There is always someone available 24/7 to speak to you if you feel like you have nowhere else to turn. The socks were produced by a company called, Pair of Thieves, as a way to support Doug Peterson's journey along the West Coast. Doug cycled from the Canadian border to the Mexican Border in honor of his son Paige, who died by suicide. He rode to raise awareness in others that you are NEVER ALONE.
Joining the socks on my bulletin board is a shirt that was produced by Mount Mansfield Union High School last year. (I live in the Mt. Mansfield School District and anyone who bought a winter sports season pass last year got a shirt, so Go Highlanders, but also go Cougars! 😉) Anyway, the shirt says YOU ARE LOVED. I love the combo of the socks and the shirt together because it is a reminder that when one feels most alone, it is important to remember that actually you are loved beyond measure. You matter to people! The people that love you will be there for you if you only reach out and seek the support you need.
I want to give you a list of those that love you who share this building with you each day...
Mr. Drake and Mr Estes, Nurse Saunders, me (Mrs. Hempey), your core teachers, Hillary, you AG leader, Your learning team, people like Mr. Spauling, Ms. Kenney, Ms. Zima, Mrs. Cassels, and Mrs. Hodgson, your arts teachers, health teachers, and language teachers, the custodians, the cafeteria staff...we'll that's pretty much everyone! We all love you, and that's just a list of those in this building!
That was a start on the resources, but I want you to have more...
If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or call 911 immediately.
Washington County Mental Health and Washington County Mental Health Screeners - 802-229-0691
Vermont 211 - Dial anywhere in VT or visit www.Vermont211.org
Umatter U Can Get Help
National Hopeline Network: 800-442-HOPE *4673*
Screening for Mental Health - In-person and online screening programs for depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders, substance abuse, and suicide prevention.
GLBT National Health Center - 888-843-GLBT *4564*
GLT National Youth Talkline - 800-246-PRIDE*7743* - Online Peer Support Chat - Telephone volunteers in their teens and early twenties speak with teens and young adults up to age 25 about coming-out issues, relationship concerns, parent issues, school problems, HIV/AIDS, anxiety and more.
The Trevor Project - Trevor Lifeline 866-488-7386 www.TrevorSpace.org Trevor Chat: 202-304-1200 Trevor Text: Text the word "Trevor" - Providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ Youth
Trans Lifeline 877-565-8860
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