A.N.G.E.L. Initiative
Upcoming Event: (click on image for full details)
Reach Out, Inc’s newest initiative is:
A.N.G.E.L. (in honor of Susan Manganelli)
Awakening New Generations Enhancing Lives
* Promoting Mental Health Awareness & Suicide Prevention
The A.N.G.E.L. Initiative with Reach Out, Inc. was created to help those who are dealing or trying to deal with their own thoughts of suicide or having to endure the pain and struggle of living with someone who suffers from mental illness-sometimes in the most severe cases. This program is also specially designed to address the fears (and ignorance) that go hand-in-hand when people ignore or simply do not understand the truth about mental illness.
For more information on Reach Out, Inc,’s A.N.G.E.L. Initiative, please contact Jamisin Lee Manganelli at angel.initiative@gmail.com
Jamie's Story:
Although audiences have been turned on by Jamisin Lee’s charm and appeal as the featured performer for Lori Michaels’ Me & The Girls shows - underneath the brightest of stage lights, Jamisin Lee has been covering the pain and suffering of years of emotional distress of loving and sharing a life with a mother who suffered from mental illness. This story continues…in the words of Jamisin Lee:
In 2006, after a life long battle and a 14 year misdiagnosis of depression/bipolar disorder accompanied by OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), my mother- Susan Manganelli-took her own life at age 50. After a four month, self induced medication withdrawal (which caused manic episodes including severe depression, suicide ideology, hallucinations) and a prescription drug induced psychosis, she was successful after two failed suicide attempts. My mother’s pain was something she hid and fought for her entire life. On the exterior, she appeared to be the fun- loving, “cool” mother of two- who loved to go out dancing, spend time with friends, shop at her favorite trendy stores, and enjoy life; while on the inside, she was plagued by helplessness, darkness, and pain.
On January 23, 2006, the day my mother died, I felt as though I did as well. My friends and family saw me deteriorate emotionally and physically. With an ill perception of the mental health field and all associated with it, I refused any kind of help. After hitting my rock bottom and what I now admit to as suffering from depression and post traumatic stress disorder due to complicated grief, I entered therapy. A few years later, I still seek therapeutic assistance through counseling to process my mother’s life and death, and have completed a successful medication treatment; which has resulted in me getting a clear view of what my purpose is - to help those who are affected by mental illness and suicide.
I believe the only cure for grief is action and I have decided to return to school to receive my masters in counseling- focusing on crisis management - and dedicating my life to the field. I have accepted that even in my mother’s tragic and most painful death - my purpose has been born. Suicide is said to be one of the most selfish acts that can be committed. However, it was once said to me that our loved ones sometimes choose to leave this earth early- so others’ purposes can be fulfilled. So, at least for me - “this” was the least selfish thing my mother could have ever done…
The A.N.G.E.L Initiative with Reach Out, Inc. was created to help those who are dealing or trying to deal with their own thoughts of suicide or having to endure the pain and struggle of living with someone who suffers from mental illness-sometimes in the most severe cases. This program is also specially designed to address the fears and stigma associated when people ignore or simply do not understand the truth about mental illness.
LATEST NEWS:
Latest Suicide Data: An Analysis CLICK HERE to view article
A.N.G.E.L. INITIATIVE ALSO SUPPORTS:
Active Minds: Active Minds is the nation's only peer-to-peer organization dedicated to raising awareness about mental health among college students. The organization serves as the young adult voice in mental health advocacy on over one hundred college campuses nationwide: http://www.activemindsoncampus.org
Care Plus, NJ Foundation: It is the mission of the Care Plus Foundation (CPF) to support the clients, programs, and services offered by Care Plus NJ through public education, program development, community relations, and fundraising. CPF is also committed to providing the community with accurate and trustworthy information on mental health-related issues: www.careplusnj.org
State of New Jersey Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma: In November of 2004, then Acting Governor Richard J. Codey signed the executive order that created the Governor's Task Force on Mental Health. This task force was formed to rigorously investigate New Jersey's mental health system and develop solutions to the obstacles that currently face those with mental illness – and their families: www.nj.gov/mhstigmacouncil
Over 21 million young people visited a healthcare professional last year, but only a small fraction were asked any questions about the number one contributor to poor life outcomes -- their mental health.
CheckUp08: Mental Health Check-Ups for Young Americans is an initiative developed by Columbia University’s TeenScreen Program and the Jed Foundation to protect the health of today’s youth. AFSP, Active Minds, Mental Health America, the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Suicide Prevention Action Network USA are participating in this effort.
The CheckUp08 campaign is calling on elected officials and those running for federal and state offices -- including this year’s presidential candidates -- to endorse core principles calling for mental health check-ups and suicide prevention for young Americans in the same way that other medical needs are currently covered. Federal and state governments already play a pivotal role in a range of prevention efforts to protect the health of young Americans including child immunizations, alcohol and drug abuse prevention, and diabetes and nutrition education.
“It is estimated that one in eight young people may have depression, and we know that suicide is currently the third leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds,” AFSP Executive Director Robert Gebbia said. “Yet, most youth and young adults who have mental health problems do not get the help that they need. Increased access to mental health check-ups could lead to early diagnosis and treatment of these disorders and thus reduce the risk for suicide.”
The importance of early detection in mental health, as outlined in the CheckUp08 campaign principles, has already received significant bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate as a means to promoting total wellness. Elected officials, such as Sens. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) and Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.), have long encouraged their colleagues to back mental health and suicide prevention initiatives for young Americans, including early detection.
Through broad based, bipartisan support, the CheckUp08 campaign will maintain strong partnerships with existing supporters in Washington and leverage new allies in advocating for mental health check-ups and suicide prevention. By engaging elected officials, political candidates, youth advocates, and the medical community, CheckUp08 will improve access to mental health check-ups and secure a promising future for young Americans.
For more information and to show your support for the CheckUp08 campaign, please go to CheckUp08.org.
