To date, over the course of the Good Egg 1 & 2, and the 2019 Why So Sad? Mission, we’ve raised around $13,000 for SAMH, Grassroots Suicide Prevention and the Johns Hopkins research into treatment of major depression. For this next phase, we’ll be helping out Rob, Susie and Lucy push forward with their work in 2020 at The Ben Raemers Foundation.
To that end, Real Skateboards have been kind enough to partner up on a run of boards that we’ve made based on 1) the art that Jon Horner so skillfully provided, 2) a top graphic collage comprised of a decent selection of the photos that you all sent in over the course of the campaign; and a little inscription:
The WhySoSad? mission for mental health is the third annual fundraiser I’ve organized in memory of my sister, Katrina, and now more recently, tragically, in memory of Ben Raemers as well. The mission is twofold: raise funds for organizations doing good work in the field of mental health and simplify the conversation around this subject. I hope that one day we’ll be able to talk about depression, anxiety and even suicidal thoughts the same way we talk about a swellbow. I hope that each of us will have the skills to help ourselves and each other through the storm whenever things get rough.
Where it says, “…the same way we talk about a swellbow.” All I’m trying to say here is that I hope the notion of mental health all the way to suicidal ideation becomes completely de-stigmatized and commonly understood. Then hopefully people who are descending that far have already learned to notice what’s happening, reach out and take action; and around them/us, friends and family have learned to notice and help guide back to safety. The more signposts we can design into our daily operations the better…I think…I hope.
The boards will be available through local skateshops through January/February 2020.
If you, or someone you know, is struggling please know that help is available and your thoughts and feelings CAN change for the better.
Please check out the following resources:
UK: Grassroots Suicide Prevention Resource Page
Scotland: Scottish Association for Mental Health Resources
US/UK: Crisis Text Line https://www.crisistextline.org
Aust: Lifeline https://www.lifeline.org.au/
USA: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Global list of support lines and resources
This morning I woke up under the weather with nae motivation to really pursue life. I skived off University and aimlessly consumed internet videos until I came across your video on Thrasher. As a fellow Aberdonian you have always inspired me but this time you really helped me turn my day around. I shut doon the PC, slithered aff the sofa and went to Transition Extreme in pursuit of a sad plant and happiness. Coming back home with positive vibes and somewhat of a sad plant in the bag I have returned to a much happier place – now I’m putting in the work for Uni and feeling good about it! Cheers John Rattray, this movement is so important and very much appreciated!
There’s not enough words in the world to convey how important this is. I support this 100%. From the bottom of my heart – THANKYOU.
Thank you