Excerpt
Stigma around mental health can lead to people suffering longer and in silence, which is why one nonprofit’s mission is to visit places like Wright State University to address that shame head-on and provide students with free resources.
“We all want to help the next generation, so that they can help the next generation … so that we can build a more positive world around mental health safety and help these students really live and not just survive,” said Project Blackbird founder Alexandra Miles.
Project Blackbird is a nonprofit and live touring event coming to Wright State University for a free event open to students and the community on March 19 to encourage conversations around the crises and stigma surrounding mental illness.
Among other topics, Project Blackbird will address eating disorders within underrepresented communities nationwide, kicking off the event with a film Miles created centered on eating disorders.
“The organization actually started from the film,” Miles said. “I was an actor and a filmmaker, and I created a film that was about a young woman who I, personally, had met at an eating disorder treatment center.”
The woman’s name is Kendra Williams, who is also set to be at the March 19 event at Wright State University.
Sharing the film then became a way to connect with others and to destigmatize discussions around mental health, Miles said.
“Their bond actually highlights pervasive feelings of shame and silence surrounding mental health discussions,” said Barbara Marsh, director of counseling and wellness services at Wright State University.
“It motivated them to share their story and encourage an open dialogue around mental health,” Marsh said.
The March 19 event will include a viewing of the film, a panel discussion led by Dayton Daily News’ editor of investigations Josh Sweigart, and a resource fair where students and others can find help if they need it.
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