Good Vibrations: A Mantra for Hope & Healing
On World Mental Health Day, we will bring together 200 persons on the Long Branch beach who will collectively put (chant) 10,000 Oms into the universe (200 people x 50 Oms). Our goal is to bring hope and healing to those in our community experiencing personal mental or emotional pain or who have lost a loved one to suicide, let them know they are not alone, and to remove the stigma and shame that still sadly surrounds mental illness. The mantra set amid the reflective backdrop of the coastline, will send a wave of good vibrations.
Why the Om?
It is the whole universe coalesced into a single word, meaning the union of mind, body, and spirit. It is a sound vibration representing universal consciousness. It brings healing to one’s self and projects healing outwardly to those around us; creating connectedness. Through this event SPTS & Valera Health aim to bring a compassionate and hopeful collective voice to youth suicide prevention.
Why 10,000?
Playing on the significance of the “10”. World Suicide Prevention Day occurs every 9/10. And even more importantly, when adolescents experience symptoms of mental illness, it takes an average of 8-10 years for them to access treatment. We need to make it easier for adolescents to recognize and talk about their experience, so that they can get the help that they need. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10 and 24 and 50% of mental illnesses begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24.