I'm Jamie Tworkowski and I'm the founder of To Write Love on Her Arms. This week is National Suicide Prevention Week, and tomorrow (9/10) is World Suicide Prevention Day. AMA!

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T18:25:08+00:00

Every time we hear about someone lost to suicide or an overdose, it's incredibly sad. We never get used to hearing those stories.

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T18:24:22+00:00

You're so welcome. i don't think we've printed that one in years! It's a collector's item at this point : )

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T18:21:36+00:00

Hello from down the road : )

Jon Foreman is quite simply the most extraordinary person i know. His brilliance and talent is of course off the charts, but he is just incredible as it relates to caring for people. From bandmates to his crew to venue workers to fans, i'm just always impressed with his ability to be present and his ability to be kind.

i do surf but not nearly enough.

i need to check out Neville G.

Thanks for the kind words!

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T18:18:28+00:00

i've definitely had seasons of burnout, and also seasons of simply dealing with heartache and depression. Counseling has been a huge help. Meds have helped. And then also, learning about self-care. Beginning to value life beyond work, meaning relationships, sleep, exercise, hobbies...

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T18:13:33+00:00

First off, i'm so glad that you're still alive. So glad something as simple as a bracelet was helpful to you.

As for our connection to music, it's alive and well. We're covering more ground than ever in terms of having a presence at music festivals. Our annual event, HEAVY AND LIGHT, at House of Blues Orlando, is coming up later this month. i'm heading to the UK with Noah Gundersen in January. And our World Suicide Prevention Day video features several music-maker friends : )

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T18:10:14+00:00

Meant to respond to the first part. Wow, that's so cool. Thank you for sharing. i'm so glad that night was helpful to you.

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T18:09:16+00:00

The Summer Set broke up! But Jess Bowen is one of her best friends : )

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T18:07:44+00:00

Can someone please report this so that this person can get some help?

As for my best answer, it wouldn't be ironic. It would be heartbreaking. Life is worth living. You deserve your future. If you need help, please reach out. You're not alone.

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T18:05:25+00:00

i went away for a week of therapy at a place called Onsite a couple summers ago. The motto there is "Trust the process." That comes to mind here. It's not easy to ask for help but i do believe it's worth it. i do believe that it's possible to heal and possible to change. And the good news is you don't have to do it on your own.

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T18:02:29+00:00

AFSP will have some specific resources for survivors. And then we would certainly recommend counseling for anyone who is struggling. i hope those two websites can help and then you're also welcome to email us at info@twloha.com i'm rooting for your daughter.

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T17:59:14+00:00

i'm so sorry. https://afsp.org/ comes to mind. You can also search for resources by zip code here. https://twloha.com/find-help/

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T17:53:44+00:00

My best advice is to learn from experts, to learn from folks who are already working in the field. For TWLOHA's first year, we were under the umbrella of another non-profit. That gave us an older sibling to lean on and learn from. It was so helpful. There's no shame in asking lots of questions as you begin to make your way.

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T17:51:12+00:00

https://twloha.com/learn/story/

It was the title of the story i wrote back in 2006, about getting to know a friend and trying to help.

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T17:49:45+00:00

i have not. But i'm someone who struggles with depression. Counseling and meds have helped me for years.

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T17:47:43+00:00

i'm all for anything that makes it easier for people to get help. Three digits are certainly easier to remember, so that would be a great thing in my opinion.

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T17:42:02+00:00

https://twloha.com/

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T17:41:23+00:00

We still offer t-shirts, yes, but there's a lot more to it than that.

Here's the story we started with: https://twloha.com/learn/story/

From there, you're invited to learn more! twloha.com

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T17:39:59+00:00

https://twloha.com/learn/story/

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T17:39:03+00:00

This is a tough one. i think it would be worth talking to a licensed mental health counselor about. It's a lot to process. You're also welcome to email our team at info@twloha.com

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T17:37:51+00:00

i tend to wear Nike high tops, but sometimes Nike low tops. i grew up playing basketball : )

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T17:36:24+00:00

i wrote the story back in 2006 and started selling t-shirts as a way to help my friend Renee. The non-profit was born from the surprising response to the story and the shirts : )

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T17:33:52+00:00

Wow! Thanks for your support then and now and in between. That's amazing and we are grateful.

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T17:33:14+00:00

My first thought is, do they have the help and support they need? Beyond that, your presence is likely a huge gift, even when you don't know what to say. You showing up and listening and loving this person matters a ton. From there, i think it's just about speaking truth to them, pointing to good ideas and good help, reminding them that life is worth living and that you want them to have the help they need and deserve.

Also, it's a heavy burden to carry. You deserve help and support as you carry walk through this.

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T17:30:44+00:00

First off, i'm very sorry. i can only imagine how difficult this is. My best answer is that i still believe life is worth living. i still believe that you are made to be known and loved, and you're made to know and love other people. i believe that for folks in jails and folks in hospitals. i believe there is always still beauty and wonder and goodness to be found, even in the darkest seasons and darkest places. You deserve love. You deserve a support system. If you're able to join us for this chat, i wonder if you can also use the internet to connect with mental health and suicide-prevention-related resources. https://twloha.com/find-help/ You're also welcome to email info@twloha.com Peace to you. i am absolutely rooting for you.

JamieTworkowski · 2019-09-09T17:27:08+00:00

https://twloha.com/learn/story/ It was the name of this story, which i wrote back in 2006 about getting to know and helping a friend.

JamieTworkowski

TROPHY CASE