Marissa Villarreal – Junior Editor
The World Health Organization says that 121 million people worldwide suffer from depression, and 18 million are people who live in the United States. Of those, 2/3rds never seek treatment. While life, at times, seems hopeless, it’s really not. And while it seems that the only way to escape rejection, anger, hurt, loss, disappointment, is self-injury, it really is not the answer. The answer is that depression is treatable, and there is a nonprofit organization called To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) that can help.
TWLOHA, founded in March of 2006, by Jamie Tworkowski, is a “movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.”
The idea for the organization came to Tworkowski when he was attempting to help his friend, 19-year-old Renee Yohe. Yohe was addicted to drugs and depressed, used blades to cut her skin, and attempted to take her life. Fortunately, for Yohe, Tworkowski and a few of her close friends were there to help. They took her in for five days and attempted to help her check into rehab.
Unable to get her into a treatment center, friends offered support. They also created TWLOHA and sold shirts to help her pay for treatment. They also launched a MySpace profile spreading the word about their friend. Renee is now doing better than ever and is in school in Florida.
TWLOHA, which became non-profit in October 2006, now seeks to help additional people by presenting hope for those “struggling with self injury, suicide, depression, and addiction.” The organization works to find connections with treatment centers, books, support groups, and other resources, so people can get the help they need.
The group not only has exposure on their MySpace page, but bands including Switchfoot, Anberlin, Paramore, Mayday Parade, Boys Like Girls, and The Rocket Summer, among others, wear their shirts during performances. These groups also perform benefit concerts all over the country.
Students can get incolved. They can make a small donation at twloha.com or buy a To Write Love on Her Arms shirt at zambooie.com/twloha. Shirts are also available at any local Zumiez or Hot Topic, as well.
Get involved and raise awareness in the Ahwatukee community by hosting a fundraiser, organizing benefit concerts, school events, penny drives, etc. Information can be found on the “Events to Benefit TWLOHA” Facebook page. People can also email benefit@twloha.com for more information.
The organization believes that “community is essential, that people need other people, that [nobody was ever] meant to do life alone.” Hope is real.
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