TWLOHA

On Wednesday, February 17th Jamie Tworkowski came to St. Cloud State to speak.  He is the founder of To Write Love On Her Arms.   I knew a bit about TWLOHA (I even had a t-shirt.. but, it got holes in it after a few months of my wearing it and I donated it to Savers after that.); but, I didn't know everything about TWLOHA.

I thought Jamie was a wonderful speaker and I was glad that there is someone like him in this world. Jamie talked about how he founded TWLOHA. There was a young woman who he was introduced to who was struggling with addiction and she had cut something across her arms and instead he thought of something like, "To Write Love On Her Arms" and it went on from there and it's been an organization that has inspire and reached many and the sales of t-shirts and other TWLOHA merchandise have been able to help pay for the treatment of many individuals.

TWLOHA hits close to home for me. I have been through a lot over the years and can relate to those who struggle. I've struggled with self injury, suicide attempts, eating disorders and depression. I think it's important for people to be aware of mental health and that it does exist. I also think people should be aware of the stigma that comes a long with mental health. I've been judged because of what I've been through and been labeled as 'crazy' and 'psycho' and I'm none of those. I just have struggled and I've overcome a lot. As Jamie said, we each have a story to tell and each of us needs someone who can/will listen.  Mental health is real and it doesn't mean that you're crazy or psycho. It just means that you're struggling and you need the extra support. People struggle in different ways - self injury, drugs, eating disorders, alcohol, etc.  It's important not to judge because behind these struggles is a story and with these struggles there can be hope and recovery. And with hope and recovery the individual can become the best person they can be and everybody deserves to be the best they can be.