Dear health promotion colleagues,



I'd like to share with you a new mental health project I have
just created.



Many young people experience loneliness and social isolation.  They lack
authentic social connections, and mask their personal issues from others.  To
enable such young people to share their deep personal experiences, i.e.,
about mental health, coping, bullying, self-esteem, and personal
development, I began my blog, *Arianna’s “Random” Thoughts*.  It is an
online “safe haven” where young people can tell others about their mental
health problems without worry of stigmatization. It is a forum where young
people in need can see others sharing their personal problems, giving them
options for seeking help rather than opting for unhealthy drastic measures.




Young people are social beings. They need connectedness.  However, many
young people suffer from depression and social isolation; they feel unloved
and uncared for. To become empowered, young individuals must reach out;
they must realize that they should not be going through their personal
issues alone. Through *Arianna’s “Random” Thoughts,* these young people can
share in a safe, non-judgemental, and confidential way about what is going
on in their hearts and lives.



Being part of a caring community can change young people in a positive way.
I learned this lesson through my involvement in sport and my experiences
working in the area of positive youth development while completing my
Master’s of Education degree. I benefitted from having a group of people
who shared similar experiences to me and could relate to what I was going
through in life.  They listened to me and encouraged me. They helped others
in this way too.  As part of a caring, sharing community, we all grew and
prospered.  Through this experience, I developed the forum to help others
in a similar way; thus, I started my blog, *Arianna’s “Random” Thoughts.  *It
is a forum where I write about personal experiences and life lessons, and
empower others to become the best they can be.  *I am asking for mentorship
to develop this project, and to strengthen this online community.*



*We all need to work together to make society better*! *Let’s build this
blog together! *

* *

Support this initiative by doing any or all of the following:

1)      Join my blog’s mailing list, and my *Facebook  *page (*
www.facebook.com/ariannasrandomthoughts*)

2)      Generate discussion by commenting on a post, and encourage others
to get involved.

3)      Share your story on the blog; others may be going through similar
issues.

4)      Share an initiative that is occurring in your community. Link it to
the organizations/resources in your community.

* *

*Arianna’s “Random” Thoughts* is a project which we can build together.
Through your involvement, we can connect as a society by helping those in
need, encouraging them to speak up about their personal issues.  Feel free
to contact me, and we can talk about how we can work together.



Thank you so much for your help with this matter. I look forward to hearing
from you soon.



Sincerely,



Arianna

-- 
Arianna Merritt B.Sc.(High Honours), M.Ed.

*Website:* http://ariannasrandomthoughts.com<http://ariannasrandomthoughts.com>

To manage subscriptions/passwords, or view archives, go to http://listserv.yorku.ca/archives/click4hp.html . [log in to unmask] is run in collaboration with Health Nexus: http://www.healthnexus.ca/index_eng.php