Tags: by Gayathri Ramprasad | Aug 19, 2015 |
I am delighted to share that I am featured in a powerful, must-read book for advocates around the world, no matter our cause. Read it and share it with the advocates in your life. Thank you! If you are telling your story: To change minds To raise Awareness To touch hearts To influence policy To save lives To make a difference Living Proof is your guide. The post Living Proof: Telling Your Story to Make a Difference appeared first on Shadows in the Sun by Gayathri...
Tags: by Gayathri Ramprasad | Aug 14, 2015 |
Art helps us express our deepest selves even when words fail us. Years ago, I was hospitalized after a suicide attempt. The only thing that kept me alive was the daily visit by my daughter and husband. While I desperately wanted to see my daughter, I was deeply troubled that she would be traumatized by her visits to the psychiatric ward. And, so each day, I created a little gift for her – a necklace, a bracelet with beads, stained-glass Christmas ornaments, or a teddy bear made of yarn. My daughter is now a young woman and it warms my heart that she cherishes these gifts I made for her and remembers her visits to the hospital with fondness not fear. I offer my deepest gratitude to the occupational therapist in the hospital who taught me that even amidst pain, I could create objects that brought joy to another person. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jeffrey Sparr, Co-Founder of Peace Love Studios and was inspired to learn how he uses painting to combat anxiety. Jeff is a man on an audacious mission – a mission to make mental illness cool. Not cool to have, but cool to support. Art heals. Art makes us whole. So, go ahead and tap into your creativity and enjoy the healing power of art. The post The healing power of art appeared first on Shadows in the Sun by Gayathri...
Tags: by Gayathri Ramprasad | Aug 14, 2015 |
On a beautiful sun-kissed evening in June, my dear friend Michele gathered a group of friends in her beautiful garden for an evening of friendship and conversation – about mental health. As the hummingbirds fluttered from bloom to bloom, we savored blueberry scones, topped with fresh raspberries and cream, grateful to be alive and in each other’s company. One of the women’s friend had lost her nephew to suicide a couple of days earlier and she couldn’t make sense of why a bright young man who had graduated from college two days before, had chosen to take his life. How can any of us make sense of a loss like that? Yet, we wondered how powerful if would be for family and friends to gather together and talk about mental health issues as a normal part of the human experience, and to help and support each other in our collective quest for health and well being. Perhaps then people struggling with depression like the young man would no longer feel hopeless and isolated. Perhaps he would have found comfort and strength in knowing that he was not alone in his pain. As the young comedian and activist Kevin Breel said in his heartwarming TED talk: “We need to stop the ignorance about mental health issues, stop the intolerance, stop the stigma, and stop the silence, and we need to take away the taboos, take a look at the truth, and start talking, because the only way we’re going to beat a problem that people are battling alone is by standing strong together. I agree with Kevin. We are #StrongerTogether. If you are struggling with a mental...
Tags: by Gayathri Ramprasad | May 25, 2015 | ted
Happy Mental Health Awareness Month! In April 1989, a stranger came to visit me in the most unlikely of places, a psychiatric ward and gave me the gift of hope that changed my life forever, and continues to transform the lives of thousands of people around the world. Although her visit was short, she taught me that a random act of kindness can give hope and change a life forever. For years, I have wanted to share her story with the world. And, on May 2nd, I finally had the opportunity to do so at TEDx MtHood. Hope my TED talk inspires you to BE THE HOPE, change a life, and heal the world, one person at a time. Please share my TED talk with your family, friends, and colleagues and encourage them to BE THE HOPE. Thank you! The post Be the Hope appeared first on Shadows in the Sun by Gayathri...
Tags: by Gayathri Ramprasad | Mar 30, 2015 |
A couple of weeks ago, I was heartbroken to hear about the suicidal death of a ten-year-old boy in my community. As a mother and mental health advocate, I realize how difficult it is to talk about suicide, a topic that has long been shrouded in shame and secrecy. But, it is time for us to break the silence and talk about suicide. According to the World Health Organization, suicide claims nearly 800,000 lives each year. Every 40 seconds suicide claims the life of a person around the world – someone’s child, brother, sister, mother, father, family member or friend. Suicide is preventable. There is help. There is hope. There are three steps all of us can take to prevent suicide: Awareness: Educate ourselves about the warning signs of suicide Acceptance: Create a culture of acceptance where a person can talk about their suicidal ideation without the fear of being judged, discriminated against or penalized Action: If you, a family member or a friend is feeling suicidal, get help As a woman who has survived several suicide attempts, I have learned that even the darkest moments of despair can be overcome if we can ask and accept help. Life is a precious gift worth fighting for. To learn more about how you can prevent suicide, please click here… The post Let’s talk about suicide appeared first on Shadows in the Sun by Gayathri...
Tags: by Gayathri Ramprasad | Feb 13, 2015 |
During a prolonged hospitalization decades ago, a psychiatric nurse had asked me, “what is the secret of your marriage?” “I have seen many marriages fall apart because of mental illness” she had said, “it is as if the the wedding vows say until mental illness do us part.” After much thought, I had responded, “perhaps it is love and commitment.” This year, as I look forward to celebrating our 32nd wedding anniversary, I am grateful that my husband Ram and I have traversed through the trials and tribulations of life, together, with love and commitment. Last year, I read a heartwarming article published in the Huffington Post by Megan Griffo, and wanted to share with you all today. “Almost a year ago, Mark Lukach went on a TEDx stage in Monterey, Calif., and told an audience that his wife, Giulia, once contemplated jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. In that talk (below), Lukach describes what it is like to love a person diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He also addresses a question he says many used to ask him: Why did he stay with Giulia? “First off … I love my wife, I love her a lot,” Lukach says in the video. “The second reason I stuck around is because of this commitment to the idea of commitment itself.” Watch the full TEDx below to hear Lukach explain how love and commitment helped his family in the darkest of times.” Read more… The post Love, No Matter What appeared first on Shadows in the Sun by Gayathri...
