Those of you who have read our mission statement here at The Bohemian Collective know that beyond the pretty blog, lookbooks and inspiration style boards, we are here to share a deeper message as well. The organization we are collectively spreading the word about this season is To Write Love On Her Arms, a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for
people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. In honor of this real life part of our humanity across the globe, we would like to share in this space some stories of people who have either been on the side of being suicidal, or have gone through losing someone to suicide. This is a very real subject for me since I lost my dad to suicide almost one year ago. The aftermath of an event like this is tremendous for anyone left behind, and I can only imagine the amount of pain an individual must face who is in this situation themselves, feeling so alone. Throughout the course of this blog, myself and others will be sharing our personal experiences with this, as well as general depression, addiction or anxieties. If you or someone you know feel like you would like to reach out in this way, please contact me via email at violet_bella at hotmail dot com with your submission. This is purely for the sake of sharing and allowing ourselves to become more open and less afraid to talk about these things. I think the more they become less taboo to speak of, the less of a stigma they will become in the future.
Today I am starting with a story found via Live Through This, an inspiring blog of a photographer who has sought out finding others to share their stories for the very same reasons. There are many other stories on the site to read, as well as a place for your own submissions. If you or someone you know could benefit from reading these stories, please share this.
PEACE AND LOVE,
Laura of The Bohemian Collective
i've been avid follower of TWLOHA since a while back, around 5-6 years ago, so I'm so happy that you're spreading the word about them. I myself have a dear friend that we almost lost thru suicide and when I found this organization, it really helps. I hope you're doing okay thru the rough time of the loss of your father. Keep strong.
ReplyDeleteRima - www.bolubyrima.com
Thank you so much Rima. Im so glad to hear that your friend is alive! And Im glad you have found support through TWLOHA. I have heard only positive things about them, which makes it so much more exciting to give back to them. Thanks for your comment!
Deleteyou never know when the help someone needs will be rippled across the universe, & onto the next one. :)
ReplyDeletei love the work you're doing here.
ReplyDeletethis topic touches so deep and personal
ReplyDeleteI see myself as broken teen, living in darkness, barely escaping it's grasp
my own flesh and blood, my son...attempted twice to take his life...
and as he sings his heart out in the room next door I am still ever so grateful for failure....
this Saturday I join a sister-friend as she buries her 16 year old daughter who took her life a week ago....
we are nothing but beautiful empty shells if we do not fill ourselves with purpose that is beyond ourselves
I am happy to see that here, though I had no doubt there was soul in this space
there is healing for the broken...
thank you
love and light
oh cat, im so glad your son is singing his heart out in the next room. and im so very sorry to hear about your friend. I cannot imagine the pain of losing your child this way. Even understanding the flip side of this, losing my dad, seems so different than losing a child. Not that either are better or worse.
DeleteI pray your son continues to find the positive in life, and keeps moving forward.
Thank you for sharing in this space! Love and Light right back to you!
Peace,
laura
This is so lovely and awesome Laura. I really like what you're doing here. Bless your path, and all those who are a part of this movement. Thanks for sharing... xo LL
ReplyDeletei loved this story. it's so true that we have to keep working at the grey areas of our life inevitably. Not just now, but every year forward. I noticed my mother was manic and suicidal in high school. More than ever this year, I feel like my health has been pulled down because of it. I'm currently working on finding a level in between these new emotions and seemingly building stress levels, while being there for her during her and her manic stages.
ReplyDeletei've said this a lot, but I'm so glad I was able to contribute and be apart of this. of course I didn't know what the Bohemian Collective was going to become, so now that I'm seeing what you're sharing, I feel like I'm here for a reason! This project is a complete reassurance that I will eventually find that level of emotions, and hopefully I can help inspire and direct my mom get there too. Thank you Laura for reaching out to everyone who needs it!
alexz, thank you so much for sharing this. i wish your mama did not have to suffer through that. and i can imagine how hard it is to be a witness to it, wanting so badly to make it all better for her. i hope you continue to learn and grow through it in new ways all the time, for you and for her. im not sure what kind of a relationship you share with your mother, but i know that it can be one of the strongest bonds.
Deleteim so glad you are a part of it too! and im so happy you feel in a deeper sense, beyond just the pretties, that you are here for a reason. to me, this is what its all really about. thank you.