Hello!
The roots of Worldmaker’s work were planted in suicide prevention after the loss of young lives by suicide.
For more than a decade now, we’ve been called on to help communities struggling with high rates of loss by suicide. I have sat with bereaved families, friends and colleagues in the aftermath of such tragic losses. I have researched and collaboratively created solutions to help communities and organizations nurture trauma-responsive cultures where every person feels valued, included, and supported to contribute in meaningful ways.
Jaimie Hanson was the first mother I comforted after she lost her son Jacob to suicide. I have learned so much from her over the years walking alongside her journey of grieving and healing. She is now actively creating tools to help others engage in healthy grieving.
I asked Jaimie the other day what she would like others to know.
This is what she said – in her words, “where my heart sits this month as I think about Jacob and suicide prevention”:
Darkness is powerful.
The pain hurts, unbearably at times.
The trials can seem never ending.
Hope seems hopeless.
But the truth is, even when the sun sets, the sun will also rise again.
Please talk to someone.
Asking for help is the strongest and wisest thing you could ever do.
Please find a voice that is not your own.
Please know and believe you are loved, valued, treasured and needed.
This world needs you, because you matter.
You truly matter. Please don’t believe otherwise.
Thank you to Jaimie for sharing her heartfelt wisdom with our Worldmaker community.
May this month – and every month – be a time for us to walk alongside each other, working together to strengthen and save lives.
You matter,
Mollie Marti, Worldmaker CEO
What's Up at Worldmaker?
9th Annual Resilience Summit: Leading in a Post-Covid World
Join us in Lansing, Michigan, USA for the 9th Annual Resilience Summit as we help leaders navigate, recover and grow through the unique challenges of the pandemic landscape. Register now to receive a discounted rate!
Community education: Using challenge for learning & growth
This month, certified THRIVE Trainer Barb Smed facilitated Secret to Success: Learning from Mistakes for a group of community members. This was the third workshop in a six-part series delivering practical tools to help adults and youth cultivate trusted relationships, manage stress, build hope, cope with adversity, find meaning in hardship and grow personal resilience skills.
Interested in bringing a THRIVE Community Resilience Workshop Series to your neighborhood, town or organization? Click the button below to get started.
On Saturday, October 22 from 7:00-11:00pm, our CEO Mollie Marti is teaming up with two other worldmakers from her hometown for Band Together For Good to raise funds for youth mental health & resilience programming. Featuring the music of Triple Threat, there will be food & drink specials, raffles, and more. If you live in the eastern Iowa area, be sure to save the date! All are welcome to join us for a fun celebration of the power of collaboration to fuel community and youth resilience building. We thrive together!
September is Suicide Prevention Month
Suicide awareness and prevention are foundational to Worldmaker’s mission to help communities prepare for, adapt to and grow through adversity. Throughout the month, we’ve joined Action Alliance, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and others online to raise public awareness, support suicide prevention, and save lives through service, education, advocacy and human connection!
It’s not too late to participate. Join the conversation by using the hashtag #SPM22
Clinical psychologist, researcher, mental health advocate and suicide loss survivor Sally Spencer-Thomas joined us to discuss this important topic on Resiliency Matters TV. Click here to watch the full episode to learn how you can be part of moving the conversation beyond “suicide prevention” or “mental health” to one of safety, health, resilience and wellness.
Ways to Engage
Read: September is #SuicidePrevention Month. Looking for ways to observe #SPM22? This two-page resource from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center can help anyone, anywhere get involved!
Watch: Hailey Hardcastle shares her story on the Ted stage. She urges parents, guardians and school staff to offer mental health days for youth & teens.
Listen: To this podcast episode When Grief Lands with Love with Dr. Sherry Walling and Tami Simon of Sounds True for wise guidance on grieving loss and overcoming the stigma and silence around suicide.
Use the hashtag #SPM22 on social media for Suicide Prevention Month. Help us make strides in reducing the stigma surrounding suicide and normalize seeking mental health support.
Spread resilience-building with your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors & more! Want to share this September newsletter via text, social media or email? Just copy and paste this link:
Build your personal and professional resilience building at the 9th Annual Resilience Summit in Michigan. Click here for discounted registration!
Become a Trailblazer Just $5 a month can help strengthen and save lives in communities experiencing crisis. Join Worldmaker’s dedicated community of monthly donors!