Category Archives: Uncategorized

mental health, Uncategorized

Gratitude: Thanksgiving Edition #my3thanks #MHblog #positive

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Expressing my gratitude is long overdue, but I am also thankful that it took me this long. Sometimes you have to really figure out why you are thankful for something in order to express it, so here are three things I am most thankful for this year.

1. In September, I got opportunity to experience a life-changing internship which is still having a profound effect on my life and the lives of all others involved. I’m not sure why they call it an internship, because all of us are really being schooled about true purpose. How to see, love, and accept ourselves as we are made, and how to love others in the same way. It has truly been a spiritual, emotional, and mental transformation…. and it is only going to get better.

2. The YNF community has grown slowly but surely and I am thankful that there are people who really believe in this movement. I am thankful for the people I have met, and the lives that have been positively impacted because of it. This not only provides encouragement for others, but for myself and keeps me humble. To every single supporter of YNF, you are loved and appreciated.

3. I am thankful that my former best friend called the police on the day I attempted suicide (September 21, 2011). Fully thankful. It took me two years to realize how important that day was, not because of what I “lost,” but what was to come. It was through that loss of self and friendship that I was able to get a clean slate. If I died I would not have had the opportunity to start over and create YNF so that others could believe they can do the same. That they don’t have to be sad because something ends, but be hopeful because something new will begin.

(SIDENOTE: If the person in question ever reads this: Thank you. I hope you can forgive me as I have forgiven you, and love you very much… and congratulations on your new journey!)

The past two days I have noticed and enjoyed silence, beautiful skies, and clear roads and I believe that represents the new found peace and love I have for myself and others, the endless possibilities of community, and the fact that I have new life to go confidently in the direction of my God-given dreams. I believe that for myself, and anyone else who reads this.

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Live your lives, don’t listen to the dream-killers, and move forward. The only person that can stop you is you. Write about what you are thankful for and share it!!

Submit your blog post expressing your gratitude for MSW at USC here:
http://msw.usc.edu/mswusc-blog/the-gratitude-campaign-call-for-submissions/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=blog

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mental health, suicide prevention, Uncategorized

Going After The Forgotten #Campaign #Fundraiser

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In January 2014, I will travel to three of the states in America with the highest rate of suicide; Alaska, Colorado, and Texas. I will spend 3-7 days in each state to find out why suicide rates are increasingly higher as time progresses, tell the stories of those who have been ignored and/or stigmatized, and raise awareness on suicide.

I’m Brittany Franklin, and I created the You’re Not Finished movement so that people who have struggled with suicidal thoughts or continue to do so can have a community in which they are fully accepted. It is where those who feel like they have been forgotten can have a constant reminder of their special place in the world and that they are loved for who they are.

While there are many suicide prevention campaigns around the nation, I believe there is not enough being done to make it personal. It is time to go after people, love on them, expose the truth about suicide, end stigma, and save lives in the process.

Although I will be doing the traveling and filming on my own, I cannot stress the importance of community. Since this is bigger than me, I will need your help to change how society views suicide.

Additional info on the perks of donating here: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/going-after-the-forgotten/x/5271595


What I Need & What You Get

Here is a detailed list of what I will need:

~$1000 – Rental/purchase of camera equipment
~ $1250 – Travel to each state by plane and/or train
~ $600 – Hotel accommodations
~$150 – Food
~$1000 – Editing Material
Any left over funds will be use towards Indiegogo fee and/or perks
If I don’t reach my goal, I will only document the state with the highest suicide rate. If there is not enough for that, it will go towards grassroots efforts to prevent suicide.

The Impact

In the long run I want to establish genuine connections with people and even turn the You’re Not Finished movement into a non-profit organization, which provides web therapy to the states/communities that are under-served when it comes to mental health. Additional notes:

I anticipate this documentary being complete in April or May of 2014.

If you feel like your community is overlooked, please bring it to my attention and encourage people to donate in order to obtain the $1,000 perk!

I started this because after my second suicide attempt in 2011, I didn’t have a soft place to land after my stay in the mental health hospital. Suicide survivors are often forgotten and their real grief and feelings are downplayed but I would like to bring light to this issue. It is time for change and I can do this only with your help.

Other Ways You Can Help

SHARE, SHARE, SHARE:

Get loud! Please share this via Facebook/Twitter/Word of Mouth/Indiegogo social media! If you can think of any way you can get this campaign known, please be proactive and spread the word.

Like on Facebook @You’re Not Finished
Follow on Twitter and Instagram @YNFinished

Thank you so much for your time and consideration. Finish well, survivors!

P.S. If you have a better title, I’m all ears. If I use it, you will get credit for it. 🙂

mental health, Uncategorized

Versatile Blogger Award

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So I’ve kinda been in a little bit of a funk; with the inability to write since the last post. It wasn’t that long ago, I just like to stay current. Anyway, because of that I was a little unsure if what I have been doing with YNF makes much of a difference. That question was answered today because I was nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award.

Even if this only effects a few people in the grander scheme of things, it means a lot. Huge thanks to Fanteema from The Sweet Network for her nomination! Check out her blog at http://thesweetnetwork.com/

Here are my nominees; a more blogs I follow that I think are awesome and provide a different look and mental/physical health and awareness:

http://attemptsurvivors.com/ “What Happens Now?”
http://thesweetnetwork.com/ “The SWEET Network”
http://taviasbeadifullife.wordpress.com/ “Tavia’s Beadiful Life”
http://wolfesque.wordpress.com/ “Of Muddy Paws on the Concrete Road”
http://projectlighttolife.wordpress.com/ “Project Light To Life”
http://jessicatorres.net/ “Come Unglued”
http://helptohopeblog.net/ “Help To Hope”
http://alycianeighbours.com/ “Crayon Wrangler”
http://inspiteofallthedamage.com/ “Juliet Dewal”
http://www.youcannotbereplaced.com/ “You Can NOT Be Replaced”
http://projectattempters.wordpress.com/ “Project Attempters”

7 things about myself:

1) I’m currently obsessed with cranberry juice. It just tastes so good!
2) Decided to give up candy/sweets for the next 2.5 months.
3) I love relaxing and spending time with my family more than going out in social situations, which is weird for a 27 year old. Then again, social anxiety will do that to you.
4) I make jokes more when I’m uncomfortable. I’m like the female version of Chandler (from Friends).
5) I’m still kind of a tomboy, but I secretly enjoy dressing up for special occasions. Especially weddings.
6) I’m currently doing an internship which has almost completely changed my life.
7) I’m releasing a video this weekend, so stay tuned!!

If you guys want to nominate anyone or are just looking for more good content to read go to http://versatilebloggeraward.wordpress.com/