Who We Are
THIS IS US
We are members of Happy Crew and our mission is to destigmatize mental health issues by creating community and sharing the message, “YOU MATTER, YOU BELONG”, especially among our peers. We must remain diligent in our campaign because depression, anxiety, and suicide are major issues for our friends – Colorado ranks sixth in the nation for most teen deaths by suicide. Too many of our peers face a daily struggle to talk about their mental health and we crusade to end the stigma and increase positive options for those facing mental health issues.
WHY WE LOVE BEING A PART OF HAPPY CREW
Every Monday night, we gather together for dinner, discussion, learning, and community. Happy Crew provides a welcoming, safe, inclusive, helpful, fun, heart-warming, positive, happy, caring, loving, passionate, free-speaking, hopeful, wholesome, fulfilling, joyful (and that’s just the beginning!) environment every week and we love our time together. During our group discussion, we strategize about ways to reach out and help friends and fellow students. We brainstorm about how to spread powerful messages that assure: “YOU MATTER, YOU BELONG”. We concentrate on being involved in making it socially acceptable to be vulnerable and share when you are dealing with anxiety, depression, fear, sadness or suicidal thoughts. We deepen our compassion and value our “no judgement zone”. Here, it is safe to talk about heavy issues and find relief for stress. We are free to share feelings and “get stuff off our chest”. We are being equipped to make a difference and have a positive influence on our community.
HAPPY CREW VALUES
Confidentiality
Don’t share information outside your small group. What happens here stays here. Do not spread things that don’t involve you! Be someone trustworthy that people can talk to. Make crew a safe space and it will stay a safe space.
Vulnerability
Open up about yourself and your struggles so other people feel safe and know it’s ok to talk about deeper issues. Be able to ask for help. Remember, you are not alone and you have people you can trust. Choose to trust people on a deeper level. Take the chance to share something new. Show your emotions.
Trust
Keep all things to yourself. Make bonds with others, do not share what they tell you, and do not shrink back from difficult issues. Create a secure environment. Be present. Actions speak louder than words. Be trustworthy – have each other’s backs. Be confident that we all deserve respect. ABSOLUTELY SHARE IF SOMEONE IS SUICIDAL
Self-Ownership
Be confident. Rely on yourself to grow; resolve issues within yourself. Be aware when being a victim, bully or rescuer creeps in to your conversation or thoughts. Make a priority of positive self-talk. Own your weaknesses and let others in to see you working on them. Hold yourself accountable – remember, you are the ONLY one who can own your life – and you are worth it!
Empathy
See through someone else’s eyes. Look from their perspective. Allow connection. Offer empathy – I want to see it from your perspective – rather than saying “I understand”. You can only understand if you are in their shoes.
Respect
Really listen to people. Understand everyone has their own viewpoint. Be honest with each other. Listen to understand – be curious about other’s lives. Treat everyone like a valuable beautiful human. Stay judgement free. Validate feelings.
Listen to Hear Instead of Listening to Respond
Engage with who is speaking to you – active listening! Take time to consider what the speaker said and make sure you heard correctly. Let people talk without trying to solve the issue for them. Take in what is being said give your full attention.
TOOLS AND TOPICS WE’LL BE DISCUSSING
Communication
Balance Your Life for Less Stress
Being Confident
Public Speaking
Owning Your Thoughts
Powerful vs. Powerless Words
Appreciating All Your Emotions
Taking Responsibility for Your Life
Empathy
Adjusting Your Lens
Concentrating on Gratitude
Active Listening
Storyboards as a Map
Getting Rid of Victim Mentality
Valuing Yourself and Others
Managing Stress
Ending Stigma; Starting Conversation
We are here for each other. We are confident in our ability to relate and help people cope. We have learned how to deal with our own mental health challenges. We practice how to actively listen in order to actually hear and help. We learn how to validate feelings, and provide an outlet for our peers. Because we role-play using real-time problems, we know how to deal with the many different scenarios our friends share with us. At school, we hand out stickers, allowing us to connect. These stickers make people’s day!! Talking to others and seeing what they go through inspires us to be less judgmental. We are comfortable inviting any and every one to join us on Monday nights; the word is out that it is safe to come hang out with us. Friends who are confused or who don’t know how to cope with their feelings find safety and community here.We are encouraged as we can see others start to cherish life rather than working to end it. We have personally witnessed lives changing.
RESULTS
WE NEED YOU
We cannot win this fight alone, we need you to partner with us to destigmatize mental health issues and help teens find belonging and community.