The GLOW Project is fighting to advocate for our youth who suffer from disparities that lead to mental health issues. Mental health issues encompass a broad range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, ADD, OCD, anger, PTSD, addictive behaviors, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and more. Our goal is to provide resources that bridge the gap between the realities our youth face and the support they need to achieve overall financial, social, physical, and mental well-being. We aim to promote positive self-identity, resilience, and awareness of mental health, while working to erase stigmas surrounding these issues. Ultimately, our hope is to empower our young adults and help liberate them from the threat of gun violence.
Elaina Quinn Mammen tragically lost her life to gun violence early Saturday morning December 10, 2022. She was only 19 years old, just shy of her 20th birthday coming up January 5th. Elaina had a contagious smile, lighting even the darkest room. Her heart was full of endless love, always giving freely to anyone in need. A few examples include offering advice on her tic toc videos, making and giving a lunch to her favorite teach (knowing she wouldn’t have time to grade papers and get to the cafeteria), and cooking and feeding those in need at the local homeless shelter.
She loved squishmallow shopping and collecting, bubble tea, consignment shoppig for the best fashions, Starbucks, fishing, her dog Shooge, her many friends and family, driving her car Memphis, jet skiing, roller skating, and the simple acts of laughter and goofing around.
Her unforeseen and senseless tragedy prompted the Go Light Our World (GLOW) Project, created by her mom and aunt. GLOW honors her by celebrating her compassion and strength. This Initiative also seeks to remember all lives lost to gun violence while proving support, love and hope to young adults in Kentucky and all those affected by gun violence.
Remove the stigma surrounding mental health by emphasizing that it’s okay not to be okay. Encourage vulnerability by promoting open conversations about mental health struggles and seeking help, highlighting it as a courageous and positive step forward.
Pay tribute to the victims of gun violence in our local community by remembering their lives and sharing their stories. Build awareness and cultivate change to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
Offer guidance, counseling, and resources to families who have lost loved ones to gun violence. Create a compassionate space for healing, helping families navigate their grief while honoring the memory of those they’ve lost.
Held in October, we host our Annual Go Light Our World Chili Feed, open to the public. This is a time of celebration and remembrance with fellowship, a lantern ceremony and we also have a prayer and gratitude jar.
If you’re in crisis, get immediate help: Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, chat with trained counselors 24/7, or get help in other ways through the Lifeline
Trevor Project: Suicide prevention and crisis intervention resources for LGBTQ+ young people
Mental Health Resource Center (JED Foundation): Information about common emotional health issues and how to overcome challenges
Mental health resources | UK Healthcare – this website offers many resources for Kentucky Teens who struggle with mental health. The website is easy to navigate and information is confidentialA Guide for Parents: Understanding Youth Mental Health and Preventing Unauthorized Access to Firearms (Project Child Safe website)
How Right Now (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): Resources for coping with negative emotions and stress, talking to loved ones, and finding inspiration.
One Mind PsyberGuide: A guide to navigating mental health apps and digital technologies
findtreatment.gov – a confidential and anonymous resource for persons seeking treatment for mental and substance use disorders in the United States and its territories, OR connect with SAMHSA’s National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) Text your 5-digit ZIP Code to 435748 (HELP4U)
*No specific link provided
Mental Health for Immigrants (Informed Immigrant): Tips for managing the mental health of yourself and others
AAKOMA Mental Health Resources (The AAKOMA Project): Resources to support the mental health of youth of color and their caregivers
Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) School Shooting Safety Compendium (Center for Homeland Defense and Security website)
Dating Matters: Strategies to Promote Healthy Teen Relationships (CDC website)
*No specific link provided
Youth Engaged 4 Change: Opportunities for youth to make a difference in their lives and in the world around them.
Supporting Emotional Wellbeing in Children and Youth (National Academies of Medicine): Tools for children, teens, and parents to learn how to cope with challenges.
Youth Wellbeing Initiatives (National Council for Mental Wellbeing): Collection of initiatives to improve mental wellbeing in youth and young adults.
Kids, Teens, and Young Adults (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Resources for young people to get mental health support.
A Guide for Parents: Understanding Youth Mental Health and Preventing Unauthorized Access to Firearms (Project Child Safe website).
Be SMART for Kids (Be SMART website)
Firearm injury prevention among children and teens (University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention website)
Gun Violence Archive (Gun Violence website)
Continuum of Care for Communities infographic another sidebar on the top right that may be helpful is statistics; we can provide evidence based practice articles and other statistical articles that show impact of gun violence, and also have statistics for hope through counseling, exercise etc; examples are Gun Violence in the United States 2022-article outlining gun violence with statistics regarding age, race, etc.
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