Using words to rescue children with mental illness
From the time I was a little girl, writing has been more than just a creative outlet, it’s been a way for me to process my thoughts and feelings. Whether it was through short stories, poetry, song lyrics, or just writing in a journal — words helped me deal with overwhelming feelings of fear, hurt, sadness, and anger, as well as express love and joy.
In college, I battle with debilitating depression. I had a severe reaction to the Prozac the doctor prescribed and struggled to find a treatment that worked. I stopped going to classes, alienated myself from friends, and almost didn’t graduate. During this period I wrote long letters to my then-boyfriend (now husband) expressing every struggle and emotion — not expecting him to solve any of it, just needing an outlet for expressing all that I was feeling and have someone else read it — acknowledge it as true. Sometimes I wrote letters to God, or to friends. I even wrote to a few family members about my pain and anger. Even though I never sent the letters, it was cathartic to put it all out on paper.
In many ways writing helped me get through that dark time, and although no longer living with depression, writing still helps me process my thoughts and feelings.
Now I have my own kids, one of whom suffers from severe anxiety and OCD. Writing is difficult for him because he also has a learning disability, but I have seen first-hand how words have helped him. Through bullet-journaling, a voice-diary, and talk-to-text tools, he uses words to track and identify his emotions and get control of his thoughts.
Writing is a powerful tool, especially for children and young adults learning how to cope with anxiety, depression, and other mental illness. Used in conjunction with other proven methods, it can greatly assist in the overall treatment of mental illness. That’s why I’m so excited to tell you about the work of New York-based nonprofit Greater Than: Illness.
Greater Than: Illness (GTI) aims to empower children and young adults struggling with mental illness. Through writing, speaking, storytelling, and physical activity their programs foster courage, confidence, and growth. Their goal is to encourage and inspire youths to be their best selves.
GTI partners with area schools to provide after-school writing programs, and works with health and wellness allies to fight for prevention services. Greater Than: Illness has also developed a virtual run club called 3forMe to promote both physical and mental wellbeing.
Want to help? Here are four ways you can get involved:
- VOLUNTEER: If you are an educator, writer, or youth counselor who is interested in helping Greater Than: Illness expand their writing program, please send an email to kimberly.a.zapata@gmail.com
- LEGAL ASSISTANCE: Greater Than: Illness is still working to finalize paperwork for their nonprofit status. Unfortunately, the process is extremely time-consuming and expensive. If you or someone you know is willing to assist in this manner, please send an email to kimberly.a.zapata@gmail.com.
- NYC PUBLIC SCHOOL CONTACTS: GTI is based out of New York, and working to partner with the NYC public school system. If you are an educator or know someone in the NYC Board of Education, please contact kimberly.a.zapata@gmail.com.
- DONATIONS: Donations are the lifeblood of nonprofits. Without them, GTI cannot afford to exist. Please consider donating.
This blog post was written in partnership with the Blogging for Better Supporters, a collective platform to raise awareness and money for a different charity each month. #bloggingforbetter
