The Jed Foundation is an incredible organization that works on awareness of mental health issues, promotes emotional health and works to prevent suicide. Their work with college-aged mental health awareness is well documented. With Mtv, they’re running wonderful sites like halfofus.com and loveislouder.com.
On Valentine’s Day, you probably know someone who could use some kind words or would appreciate an expression of your friendship or love. Here are a few Valentine’s words and ideas from the Jed Foundation:
Spread a little love. Pick up the phone, send emails, mail cards or tweet out compliments to let people know you are thinking about them. If you have a friend going through a break-up or a rough patch, make the effort to help them feel special on Valentine’s Day. You can also join Love is Louder supporters in creating #Lost & #Found Valentines to add a little fun to a stranger’s day.
Lost & Found Valentine
Want to brighten someone’s awful day on campus or in your community? Try ‘losing’ a valentine which can be found by anyone. Here’s how to do it (from the loveislouder website):
To LOSE a Valentine:
You can either make your own Valentine, download our PDF and print them out (each page has 2 Valentines) or use one you buy from a store. Write a message to inspire or support someone else on the card (you can see some examples from students at NYU below). You can also write a favorite quote or saying. If you don’t use our template, make sure to write loveislouder.com/valentine on it so the finder can get involved too! Take a picture of your card and tweet or post it with the hashtags #lostvalentine & #loveislouder. Put your card in an envelope, write “Open Me” or “This Is For You” on the outside of that envelope, and leave it somewhere on your campus or in your community where it can be found!
If you FIND a Valentine:
Take a picture of your card and tweet or post it with the hashtags #foundvalentine & #loveislouder. Then make your own Valentines to lose using the directions above.
example lost & found valentine:
Focus on the good stuff. Instead of thinking about the relationship you don’t have, think about all the good ones you do have. We aren’t defined by our relationship status. Spend time with friends, get out of the house and do something you really enjoy, or grab a journal and make a list of all the good things and people in your life.
Reach out. If you are having a tough time on Valentine’s Day, don’t be afraid to reach out and let people know. Most of us can understand what it’s like to feel alone or struggle with a break-up. Sometimes just talking about it can help.
You can find more information about coping with a break-up, feeling better or reaching out for support at www.halfofus.com.
