The
Tiger HI-LINE
Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013
Volume 54 Edition 4
Food Fight
Assembly kicks off CFHS push to extend food drive win streak/ see OPINION page 2 Follow us on Twitter at tigerhiline, Facebook at TigerHilineOnline and on our website at www.hiline.cfschools.org
Senior starts local campaign to end mental health stigma
To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA) is an American nonprofit organization that aims to provide hope for people struggling with anxiety, depression, addiction, self-harm, eating disorders and suicidal thoughts. Based in Melbourne, Fla., it was founded by Jamie Tworkowski in March 2006. Tworkowski founded the organization from the seeds of a story he wrote about Renee Yohe, chronicling her struggles with addiction, depression, self-injury and attempted suicide. In 2012, Yohe’s story was made into a movie called “Day One” starring Kat Dennings. Part of the larger organization of TWLOHA is The Storytellers, which is a campaign for high schoolers to initiate a conversation about mental health issues. Senior Abigail Van Patten has recently gained permission to be a storyteller for the organization. “I tried to start it last year, but was not able to,” Van Patten said. ALPHA teacher Tim Kangas will be the group’s sponsor. The Storytellers campaign runs for two months in each high school and can include a variety of activities, some of which are suggested by TWLOHA. Van Patten said she stumbled upon TWLOHA on the Internet in eighth grade. She found out about the Storytellers program last year, which was the first year it was done. This will not be a school group, but rather a campaign
that will reach the entire school community and the larger community of Cedar Falls. The purpose of the campaign is to hold two events: one in October and one in November. As of now, Van Patten is planning a Fear vs. Dreams campaign and a benefit concert/silent auction. Bracelets will also be sold for $5 several weeks during the campaign. Van Patten wants to start this
“The topics are very near to me. I feel like I need to do this.” Senior Abigail
Van Patten
project because she wants to break mental and social barriers and create a community within the school. She also wants to break the mental health stigma that everyone sees. The months of October and November are a good time to have this campaign because winter is a prime time for depression. Van Patten has high hopes for this project, namely a sense of hope and healing and community within the school. Van Patten strongly believes in the importance of this project. “I’m super passionate about this,” she said. “The topics are very near to
Senior Abigail Van Patten is leading The Storytellers Campaign at Cedar Falls High School to bring awareness about the mental health stigma. The Storytellers Campaign is part of the larger organization of To Write Love On Her Arms, which strives to provide hope and healing for people struggling with depression, anxiety, addictions and suicide. me. I feel like I need to do this.” To find out more about To Write Love On Her Arms, visit twloha.com and like the official TWLOHA page on Facebook. For the CF campaign, like The Storytellers - Cedar Falls High
School on Facebook and follow The Storytellers - CFHS on Twitter. prepared for the campaign here at CF in these next two months. Also, be prepared for events in the coming weeks. Next week, bracelets will be sold
for $5 before and after school in the lobby, and during lucnh shifts in the cafeteria.“Just keep your eyes and ears open,CF,” Van Patten said. News Editor Ellen
Wallingford