Team Positive Vibes
Preventing Suicide one Positive Vibe at a Time.
My heart project, is mental health advocacy, from many lived experiences, I have found that knowing where to turn is a challenge. A google search is overwhelming, and sometimes, phoning a friend is still the best way to get to solid resources.
Team Positive Vibes is my AFSP Out of the Darkness team name. The short story is my team is spreading positive vibes to raise awareness, provide support, and prevent suicide.
So first things first, RESOURCES!
Mental Health Resources
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Find out if your employer has an EAP. These programs provide access to mental health resources and typically cover a few visits. They do not report any information back to your employer, just a report of how many employees are using the program.
There are several other areas of assistance through EAPs, look into what yours offers.Â
Be an Advocate
Cheer for us!
Talking about Mental Health and struggles isn't easy, but knowing someone is willing to listen is huge. Spread the word, help is available. Let's end suicide.
Ways to Get Involved
Dakota Hunter Evans
September 8, 1990 – September 5, 2016
My Story is My Why
As an older sibling, losing my brother was so many things. To lose him to suicide, it broke me. It turned my world upside down, and took me down a long, detour-filled, dark road.
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Every grief journey is different, the stages might be the same, but they are not linear, and they don’t come in prescribed doses. My journey is ongoing, but I have reached a point to turn around and help others.
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I find that more often than not, more people than you realize (and sitting right next to you) are going through the same challenges, whether that be parenting, dealing with parents/family, trying to buy a car/house, work challenges, medication side effects, and the list goes on.
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Mental Health is Health. This topic is getting attention. Doors are opening to the conversations and resources. But at the end of the day, we have to get back to community.Â
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Each year, I spear head a team at an American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of the Darkness Community Walk. My team is named Team Positive Vibes. Yes, the fundraising is important, but to me it’s more important who is going to take time out of their normal and show up for others.
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Our team colors are inspired by the honor beads that applied to me when I started the team. Orange for Sibling Loss; Green for Personal Struggle; and Blue for Awareness. Tie Dye is our uniform. A reminder that everyone of us is unique, beautiful, and a creation that can never be replicated.
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My personal brand is Yellow, full of positivity, humor, joy, and light. I try to spread that light, one that is shining brighter these days as I grow closer to my savior Jesus Christ. It is a different kind of medicine, but one I highly recommend.
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Spreading Positive Vibes and the Light of Jesus Christ!
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A better medicine
Some of my favorites from our Heavenly Father (KJV)
Psalms 40: 2-4
Philippians 4:6-7
Psalms 23
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the lord.Â
Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord in his trust.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.Â
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; they rod and they staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Note: These are only a small portion of the resources available. I am not a licensed professional, merely a suicide survivor raising awareness and spreading positive vibes.
It is possible to find the light again, I'm living proof.