May 17, 2015

Art of Awareness Blog Hop

Welcome, today I'm taking part in a blog hop hosted by Lori Anderson and Heather Millican of Swoondimples that is about raising awareness for causes that we want to support.

Based on the ribbon awareness campaign, beadmaker Heather Millian of Swoondimples created bean beads for us with our cause color and a word or two that we requested. When I saw the little "be." beads in Heather's shop, I knew those were the ones that I wanted for this hop.

For my cause I'm supporting mental health awareness with the color green and depression in particular.

It's difficult to watch someone I love struggle with a depression that causes them to not function or makes them feel completely hopeless. I can't fathom them not feeling worthy of friends or love or that they feel so much despair that death seems like a better choice.

Depression is terrible. It's not just the blues or feeling sad. It steals people from us, not only having them withdraw and change but depression is a disease that can sometimes be fatal. Think about that, someone struggling from this disease is at risk of dying if they don't get help. And even then, in a flash of a moment and a lapse in judgment, they could be gone. And that breaks my heart and keeps me awake sometimes.

There is help for depression, although it's a long road to recovery and may be an illness that is managed rather than cured. Start here if you think you are suffering from depression or worried about a loved one.

Here are 7 great ways you can support and help someone suffering from depression.  Click here for more ways to support a loved one.

If you know someone suffering from mental illness, of any kind, treat them with respect, kindness and caring. Let them know that they are important to you. Spend time with them, even if it's difficult. Don't expect them to snap out of it, if they could they would do it in a heartbeat! And keep in mind that just because someone has a mental illness doesn't mean that aren't intelligent, brilliant and amazing.

For my awareness pieces I created two bracelets. I love the "be." bead. Be. period. What an important idea for someone with depression. Not be happy or be hopeful. Just be, as in live. No matter what, just be because when depression has swallowed someone whole, survival is all that required while they fight their way back.

Just be here, with us, with those that love you.

And we'll be here for you, ready to love you and see you through.

Here is the list of those participating in the blog hop:

Lori
Heather
Anderson
Millican
CandidaCastleberrywww.spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com
mischelleandradehttps://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com
PaigeMaximhttp://delightfullittlegems.blogspot.com/
Laurie Vyselaar www.lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com
MarybethRichhttp://forestofjewels.blogspot.com/
AlicePetersonwww.alice-dreaming.blogspot.com
KimDworakhttp://www.cianciblue.blogspot.com/
AudreyBĂ©langerhttp://esperianterra.blogspot.ca/
Karenmitchellwww.overthemoon-design.com
JoanWilliamswww.lilrubyjewelry.com
JeanWellsJean A. Wells
AnnSchroederwww.beadlove.wordpress.com
GailAccinellifacebook.com/oregonmadejewelry
TaniaSpiveywww.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com
Mallory Hoffmanhttp://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/
Mary KMcGrawmkaymac.blogspot.com
ShaiWilliamswww.shaihasramblings.com/
BethEmerystoriesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com
CatieDomanhttp://drcatie.blogspot.com
LoreleiEurtoHttp://lorelei1141.blogspot.com
LeeKoopmanwww.stregajewellry.wordpress.com
TammyAdamswww.paisleylizard.com/blog/
KatieNelsonhttps://www.facebook.com/katiebead
PattyMillerhttp://pattymillerbeads.blogspot.com
ChrisEisenbergwww.wanderware.blogspot.com
CassiPaslickhttp://badatbeingmom.blogspot.com/
CharleeGriffithhttps://www.facebook.com/charlee.griffith
KelliNelsonwww.afamilyaffarekelli.blogspot.com
CatherineKinghttp://catherines-musings.blogspot.com
MelissaTrudingerbeadrecipes.wordpress.com
SusanBowiehttps://susanbowie.wordpress.com
JenniferJustmanwww.soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/
CassiPaslickhttp://badatbeingmom.blogspot.com/
KHutchinsonhttp://jumbledhutch.wordpress.com
VeralynneMalonewww.veradesigns.blogspot.com
Evie and BethMcCordhttp://ebbeadandmetalworks.blogspot.com/
MihaelaGeorgescuhttp://michellemaya2005.wordpress.com
RebeccaAndersonWww.songbeads.blogspot.com
Charlene Jackawww.clay-space.com
KimStevenswww.pickingpoppies.blogspot.com
SusanMcClellandMistheword12.wordpress.com


GinaHockettwww.freestyleelements.blogspot.com
MonaArnottbijouxgemsjoy.blogspot.ca
SandiVolpewww.sandivolpe.com
AndreaGlickhttp://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
JanineLucashttp://www.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories
LoriBowring Michaudwww.artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
ChristieMurrowWww.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com
B.R.Kuhlmanwww.mixedmayhemstudios.com
LupeMeterwww.gesmpccorner.blogspot.com
LucyBejaranowww.lucybejaranojewelry.blogspot.com/
StephaniePerrywww.mustardbeadbystephanieperry.blogspot.com
ElisabethAuldwww.beadsforbusygals.com
CarolynLawsonwww.carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
HeatherPowerswww.humblebeads.blogspot.com
KatieHackerwww.katiehacker.blogspot.com
KepiRasmussenwww.kepirasmussen.blogspot.ca 
Gail Vanderster-Zwangwww.angelmoose.blogspot.com
ElizabethHodgeshttp://thewhisperingseas.blogspot.com/

13 comments:

SoulsFireDesigns said...

What a perfect pair of bracelets, Heather. Depression is such a thief, such a wicked horrible thief. Thief of time, thief of joy, thief of... well, as you said, being. Perfect pieces, perfect post, so beautifully written, thank you!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I love your bracelets and your post. What a perfect sentiment. Be. No pressure if that's what one can manage at the moment. That's enough. That's everything. Thank you for bringing awareness to mental health and also posting links to more information.

baymoondesign said...

Your bracelets and post are wonderful.

EB Bead and Metal Works, LLC said...

Heather your two bracelets are perfect. I love how the word bean works perfectly with the colors and the different beads. I also think the sentiment of "Be." is perfect. Thank you for sharing your story.

Anonymous said...

Heather, your colors are so upbeat and hopeful (of course I am partial to the one with purple beads). And the message is so important BE..not only as you said, for the person who is suffering but for the person who cares. Be there, be caring, be supportive, just be present.

TesoriTrovati said...

I love you, Miss Heather! Sending you love and light today. Be. So powerful. Just.Be.
Enjoy the day!
Erin

Lupe Meter said...

Beautiful creations!! I love the word you picked...Be! What a great message!! Thank you for sharing!

Heather Wynn Millican said...

well said, Heather :)
you have such talent.

Unknown said...

Depression is a big bad monster. And a liar. On some level you know what the depression is saying to you isn't true, but it's so hard to break the pattern and actually not believe those thoughts... We need more people like you who understands this and are ready to support. Even if they can't manage to show it, your friends are glad for it, I assure you. Thank you so much.

Lori Anderson said...

No two ways about it, depression sucks. I suffer from it, as do a large number of family members. It's devastating on every level, at every age.

I saved back my green beads for this cause because I didn't think I could write about. You did a super job. I'm honored you joined the hop.

Kepi said...

Great story and some very helpful information. Your bracelets are beautiful, a perfect tribute to an awful disease.

Bijoux Gems Joy said...

Heather

Thank you for sharing your story and for the resource links. The articles in those links speak so much to what is important for non-sufferers to understand. You are so right - it is difficult to understand why the person with these nasty illnesses feels the way they do.

gail vanderster-zwang aka angelmoose said...

Loved your use of colors and your butterfly! And your clasps are beautiful also! Depression is horrible. And you are correct - sometimes just existing is unbearable! Thank you for the link and helping to make us more aware of this awful disease!