Why I became at st teamer…
I first learned about the mindyourmind.ca Street Team through my sister Michelle. She was a member of last year’s team and really enjoyed the experience. When I found out this year that the team was starting up again I jumped at the chance. I’ve had a long-standing interest in mental health issues and the resources, or more specifically, the lack thereof, for youth. I myself have suffered from mental health problems and have seen my friends go through similar things. I wish that I had known more about this resource when I was going through hard times and would like to make sure that other youth across the world have the opportunity to access the site and its resources when they need help, or need to give help.
Getting Involved…
One of our first meetings was spent setting down ground rules, and the rule that was most strongly supported was also the simplest: “Have fun!” This rule was adhered to strictly and I can’t remember a meeting or event where there wasn’t laughter. However, beyond the laughter there was a lot of great work being done. I feel a great sense of accomplishment and pride when I realize how many people we have helped to reach with our work. As our fearless leader often reminds us of, mindyourmind.ca is visited by over 150 countries across the world. It’s almost humbling to think that the few hours I spent each week, doing what felt like hanging out and eating junk food, has actually helped create something so widespread. Through my work with the Street Team I’ve also been introduced to some great opportunities that I never would have had a chance to experience otherwise. Including another volunteer position that has me travelling across Ontario and furthering the ideal of reaching out to others. And of course I’ve had to come to terms with some personal anxieties such as being on camera and having my picture taken. So not only did I have a great time with the Street Team, I can also say I accomplished some great work, faced my fears and made some great connections for the future.
This is what I’m into:
Music: The Creepshow, The Matadors, The Dresden Dolls, Creature Feature, Regina Spektor
Movies: Anything by Tim Burton, The Craft, Too many more to list!
Television: I used to be a big Buffy fan…but now I don’t even have cable.
Books: Anything by these authors: Tamora Pierce, Jane Lindskold, Jacqueline Carey, Janet Fitch, so many many many more…I’m a book nerd.
All about ME
My name is: Jen and I: will always love you! *music notes*
If you were stranded on a desert island, what’s the one thing you’d HAVE to have with you?
A boat, to get off the island! Of course I’d know how to drive this boat.
If you had to eat the same thing every day for a year, it would be…
Chick pea stir-fry, Cous-cous and pitas with cheese on top
Coke or pepsi?
Diet pepsi
Rock or rap?
Rock
Sports or arts?
Arts
If you could be in any movie – what movie would it be?
The Craft
If you won a trip to anywhere in the world for one week, where would you go?
Japan
If you could chill out with any musician, who would it be? And what would you do with them?
Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls, I would pick her brain and then shave her legs.
What’s the one thing you haven’t done in your life, that you absolutely have to do?
Come in close contact with a wolf, either petting it, feeding it, howling
with it, etc!
What makes you sad?
animals being hurt, abused, neglected, etc.
Christmas holidays
Loneliness
Personal failure
Not singing
Seeing friends and family in pain or hurting in anyway
What makes you happy?
People with pretty hair, unique clothing styles
My niece
Psychobilly concerts, or any good concerts for that matter
Full moons, clear night skies
Singing
Spiritualism
Paganism
The moment after dusk when the entire world looks blue
Piercings and tattoos, both on myself and on other people
What’s your fav. way to deal with stress?
listening to music very loudly
dancing to super loud music when no one is watching
Singing, preferably when no one is listening
Meditating
Playing with my pets
Writing
Best piece of advice someone’s given you?
Follow your dreams no matter how impossible they may seem
How do you reach out to a friend when they’re down?
I think the most important thing in supporting a friend in need is just being available to listen to them. I find most people, when they are upset, just need someone to talk it over with. I try to give advice if I think I can offer something constructive. At the very least I can offer empathy and a shoulder to cry on if needed.
Who’s your role model or hero and why?
I admire many people but there is no one person who I would consider a role model. I admire people who are not afraid to stand up for their rights or for the rights of others. Those who follow their own paths no matter what obstacles seem to stand in their way. In general, activists, feminists, human right advocates, musicians, and artists. I look up to people who stand out in a crowd, and could
It’s all about the puzzle piece…
When I first started working on my piece of the puzzle, I was frustrated and confused. There was a massive pile of magazines in front of me and I was told to create something that represented myself. A collage to fit in the piece of the giant Street Team puzzle. The first piece I started putting together, and to this day still my favourite, is also the one that immediately catches my eye. A woman’s face with the word “DREAM” covering her eyes and “Will you listen?” covering her mouth. I created this out of inspiration from a magazine with a picture of George Bush on the cover with the caption of “Will he listen?” Much of my puzzle piece contains political and activist messages so I won’t go into details about my feelings regarding the President. Back to the story. I chose the word dream and then covered the woman’s eyes because I often feel myself blinded by my dreams. I am a daydreamer but also an idealist. I love to think of what may come. I then covered her mouth with “Will you listen?” because I feel that as a youth, and perhaps especially one with tattoos and piercings, I am often disregarded as stupid, immature…not worth listening to. I polished off the rest of the puzzle with various pictures of things I enjoy or care about, including a sunflower and the word “healing” to represent my belief in Spiritualism and my practices as a Spiritual healer. “You have no razor” was to resemble my history of self abuse and cutting my attempts to stop. There are so many things about my puzzle that I would love to talk about, every picture and every word but there’s only so much space. So look for yourself…find out more about me through my artistic expression. And see how we all fit together.
