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| Jamie Tworkowski, founder of the suicide prevention organization, "To Write Love on Her Arms," will speak at the Williams Center Thursday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. |
Jamie Tworkowski, founder of an organization which assists those dealing with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide, will speak on the SUNY Fredonia campus Thursday, Nov. 4, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Williams Center Multipurpose Room.
Mr. Tworkowski is the founder of “To Write Love on Her Arms” (TWLOHA), a not-for-profit entity dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression and thoughts of suicide. The organization exists to encourage, inform and inspire individuals who are suffering with these issues. TWLOHA also invests in treatment and recovery efforts, and has generated more than $750,000 since its founding in 2006.
Through the use of social networking, TWLOHA serves as a bridge to connect with professionals and provide individuals with the help they need. Members of the organization travel the country to bring their message of hope and help to concerts, universities, festivals and churches. They also gain awareness through the use of blogs, speeches, benefits, fundraisers and merchandise.
Tworkowski founded the organization to share the story of a friend struggling with substance abuse and depression. The name of the organization stems from a self-inflicted wound his friend made on her arms, words which referenced her feelings of self-disappointment.
“She deeply believed this sense of failure and regret, that her 19 years on the planet didn’t give her much to be proud of,” Tworkowski explained in a recent “CBS News Sunday Morning” interview.
Tworkowski and others chose to support her and, in effect, metaphorically write “love” on her arms instead, to help her understand she was loved and her life was worth living. Tworkowski posted his friend’s story on MySpace and began selling t-shirts to fund this friend’s treatment. What started out as an attempt to save one person’s life has grown to literally save the lives of thousands. In just four years, the organization has responded to more than 150,000 messages from people in 40 different countries.
Suicide and depression are issues of humanity and problems of pain that affect millions of people around the world. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it is estimated that 18 million Americans alone suffer from depression. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among those between the ages of 15-24, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Tworkowski’s appearance is sponsored by the Spectrum Entertainment Board and the SUNY Fredonia Psychology Club. Tickets are on sale now for students at a price of $5, and $8 for faculty/staff. If tickets remain as of Oct. 25, they will go on sale to the general public for a price of $10. Note that anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets can be purchased in person at the SUNY Fredonia Ticket Office on the first floor of the Williams Center, by calling 716-673-3501, or online at www.fredonia.edu/tickets.
To learn more about the event, contact Spectrum Entertainment’s Special Events Chair Keith Kropski at krop7710@fredonia.edu or 716-341-3290. To learn more about TWLOHA, visit: http://www.twloha.com.
