To Write Love on Her Arms

July is BIPOC Mental Health Month in the US. It exists to "bring awareness to the unique struggles that underrepresented groups face regarding mental illness" in this country. While mental health challenges impact humans regardless of race, body size, sexual orientation, gender, socioeconomic status, and so on, we also recognize that racism, colonization, police brutality, and white supremacy—amon...

Research shows that the LGBTQ+ community is almost three times more likely than others to experience a mental health condition such as major depression or generalized anxiety disorder. And, LGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide, experience suicidal thoughts or engage in self-harm than heterosexual and cis-gendered people. This is not due to their sexual orientation or gender i...

May is Mental Health Month in the US. This month is a chance for us to continue combating the stigma that keeps far too many silent. It's a chance for us to tell and to highlight stories of lesser-known challenges. It's a chance to declare a few statements we believe to be Black and White .   In the third and final episode of the Black & White Miniseries, host Chad Moses and TWLOHA's Community Car...

May is Mental Health Month in the US. This month is a chance for us to continue combating the stigma that keeps far too many silent. It's a chance for us to tell and to highlight stories of lesser-known challenges. It's a chance to declare a few statements we believe to be Black and White .   In the second episode of the Black & White Miniseries, host Chad Moses and TWLOHA Editor Becky Ebert explo...

For the last four years, TWLOHA's Black and White campaign has happened every May. Why May? Well, May is Mental Health Month in the US. This month is a chance for us to continue combating the stigma that keeps far too many silent. It's a chance for us to tell and to highlight stories of lesser-known challenges. It's a chance to declare a few statements we believe to be Black and White when it come...

On this episode of the TWLOHA Podcast, we're exploring the theme of normalizing mental health professionals both giving and receiving help. Counselors, therapists, psychologists—they're often a saving grace for many. They provide wisdom and guidance and a safe space for us to lay bare our struggles. But beneath the titles, the offices, the knowledge, and the compassion, mental health professionals...

On this special episode of the TWLOHA Podcast, we're celebrating 15 years of hope and help on the organization's birthday—along with the upcoming release of our daily-use self-care app called The Hopeful! In the first half, founder Jamie Tworkowski discusses the movement's unexpected inception and shares some of his favorite memories, and TWLOHA's first-ever social media coordinator Chris Youngblo...

On this episode of the TWLOHA Podcast, we're discussing Bipolar Disorder, a mental health experience that by no means receives as much airtime or attention as others tend to. And yet, it's something so many people deal with day in and day out, it's something we know is relevant to so many of you. Bipolar Disorder is a chronic illness—meaning it has no cure. That being said, this illness is not imm...

In this episode of the TWLOHA podcast, we're discussing self-injury. It is perhaps one of the least talked about mental health challenges. You might be wondering why that is, and we think the reason can be wrapped up into a single word: stigma. While conversations about mental health have progressed a great deal over the course of the last few years, self-injury remains shrouded by shame.  Accordi...

Eating disorders are a leading cause of death when it comes to mental illnesses, only second to opioid overdose. Nearly 30 million people in the U.S. will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime. They can and do affect people of every age, sexuality, gender identity, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic group, and with proper professional care and awareness, they are treatable. In this episo...

The calendar ending and beginning anew represents a clean slate of sorts. While there is value in the hopefulness of setting resolutions, we want to talk about the complicated reality of how resolutions impact relapse and recovery when it comes to alcohol abuse, addiction, and even self-injury. In the premiere episode of season four, host Chad Moses is joined by LMHC Michelle Moore and mental heal...

On today's episode we'll be sharing some recommended listening from our friends at Lemonada Media. We're inviting you to take a listen to the first episode of Season 2 of the Last Day podcast.   "We open Season 2 of Last Day with a tale of two Kevins. One is Sergeant Kevin Briggs, also known as the guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge. The other is Kevin Berthia, an Oakland native who drove to that...

In the final episode of Season 3, we honor World Mental Health Day (October 10) by talking with people from five different countries across the globe about the ways in which mental health plays a role in everyone's lives no matter where they live. From New Zealand to India and the UK, we reflect on the progress made and the work that still needs to be done when it comes to mental health. And we le...

In this episode, we hear from photographer and outdoor adventure enthusiast, Gretchen Powers. At the start of her journey with mental health, Gretchen believed that staying active and spending time outside were the keys to maintaining her well-being. But after years of battling waves of depression and anxiety, she found that her toolkit was missing some important things. Through trial and error an...

In this special episode, host Chad Moses is joined by artists Trevor Christensen (Said The Sky) and Bryan Sammis (Olivver The Kid) to premiere a brand new song in honor of the #WorthLivingFor campaign. Following the premiere, Trevor and Bryan stick around to talk about the ways in which music has brought purpose and heartfelt connection into their lives and how they've both realized that the small...

In this episode, host Chad Moses is joined by writer and mental health advocate Jamie Agresta to continue the #WorthLivingFor conversation. Together, they explore the topic of suicidal ideation and finding purpose even in the heavy moments. Jamie speaks candidly about her firsthand experience with suicidal ideation, where she's found hope along the way, and what she would say to someone who finds...

In this episode, TWLOHA Director of Outreach Chad Moses and Licensed Mental Health Counselor Denny Kolsch continue the #WorthLivingFor conversation by teaming up to address your questions about mental healthcare, how we can make resources more accessible, and the process of finding a counselor that's the best match for you. Far too often, when people seek out professional help, they're met with hu...

In this episode, host Chad Moses is joined by animator, illustrator, and mental health advocate Steve Nguyen to talk about being a survivor of suicide loss and the #WorthLivingFor campaign. Steve opens up about losing both his significant other and a friend just days apart while in college and how he faced processing anger, guilt, and the questions that often follow such heartbreaking loss. Steve...

In this episode, we wrap up our storytelling series on the podcast with the help of published author Jessica Morris. Through sharing her experience with depression and anxiety, Jessica explores the fear of not being worthy and how she found the courage to live in the present moment. And later in the episode, Jessica is joined by host Chad Moses to discuss the delicate balance of living for today w...

In this episode, we continue our new series on the podcast that focuses on the power of storytelling with the help of authors who originally had their stories published on the TWLOHA blog. Today, we're hearing from and talking to Alicia Gillman about her experience living with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and the ways in which they've impacted her life on a day-t...

In this episode, we continue our new series on the podcast that focuses on the power of storytelling with the help of authors who originally had their stories published on the TWLOHA blog. Today, we're hearing from Elizabeth Wilder, a member of the TWLOHA staff, who shares a vivid snapshot into her experience with the ebbs and flows of depression. Later in the episode, she and host Chad Moses talk...

In this episode, we kick off a new series on the podcast that focuses on the power of storytelling with the help of authors who originally had their stories published on the TWLOHA blog. Today, we're hearing from Bianca Mujica, who talks about her journey with disordered eating. In the second half of the episode, she and host Lindsay Kolsch discuss the impact of societal beauty standards, how eati...

In this episode, we listen to and hear from EbonyJanice Moore, a womanist scholar, author, activist, and the founder of Black Girl Mixtape—a platform that creates sacred space to celebrate the voices and wisdom of Black women . She talks about the importance of honoring her rage while cultivating joy and making space for rest, and the ways in which those with privilege can show up for people of co...

In this episode, we listen to and hear from Krys Marshall, an actress currently starring in the AppleTV+ show For All Mankind , and author, artist, and girl dad Joél Leon. They talk about their experiences with systemic racism, their mental health journeys, and the barriers Black communities face when seeking help. They also share their hopes for social change in the midst of injustice across the...

In the fourth and final episode of this year's Black and White Miniseries, TWLOHA's Director of Outreach Chad Moses is joined by artist and long-time friend Levi The Poet. Together they explore the last statement of the campaign: "No One Else Can Play Your Part" and talk about how oftentimes they find themselves believing these words for others while struggling to believe it for themselves. Levi a...