Photo courtesy Into The Light
When people think of September, they may be reminded of back-to-school season or “local summer.” But it’s also National Suicide Prevention Month and the Into The Light nonprofit organization is spreading that message in the Two River area.
Organizers have been traveling to local high schools including Middletown South, Red Bank Regional, Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) and Red Bank Catholic, to give in-depth, interactive presentations to students that feature question-and-answer sessions, partner exercises and evaluations to get the conversation started about mental health.
“It’s real. We’re really getting into it,” said Artemis Mazzini, who co-founded the organization with her sister, Sophia, and mother, Yannah, after their father committed suicide in 2016 at age 51. They now work to get rid of any stigma surrounding the discussion of mental health issues facing teenagers and young adults.
Events started at Rutgers University where Artemis went to school. The university now has an Into The Light club that Sophia is president of. “I believe these presentations are so important because we introduce mental health in a way that makes teens and young adults feel comfortable,” said Sophia. “We address issues they have encountered or might encounter and give them tools to deal with these issues. We teach them to think about mental health in a positive way and give methods to achieve this.”
Presentations are given in a positive way so students can leave feeling good and stronger for what they have faced. “They’re a leader if they actually seek help because they’re helping themselves and the people around them,” said Artemis.
While several other organizations are working to achieve the same goal, Artemis said Into The Light stands out because their presentations are offered to students by young adults.
“I think sometimes they (students) just kind of tune out adults because they feel like they can’t relate as much – teachers, parents or whoever is speaking to them. When they see a young adult, they feel much more engaged and much more related to,” she said.
Presentations have had an impact on students, Artemis said. One student, in particular, came up to her after a seminar with tears in her eyes. “She started talking about how her uncle passed away from suicide and how she was never able to talk about it until leaving this presentation.”
The group’s next presentation will be held at RBC during its Respect Week in October. On Oct. 7 and 8 Into The Light will visit the school to give multiple presentations about mental health, just in time for Mental Health Awareness Week.
“We get the conversation started and we show that, as two students or young people who have gone through something traumatic, we came out. We want to fight to share our story and that’s what we want other people to also do,” said Artemis.
The organization not only spreads the message to high school students but the outside community as well. On Sept. 22 the organization held the Mountains vs. The Seas For Mental Health Awareness soccer tournament in Tinton Falls. There, 14 of the top girls’ high school soccer teams from Skyland and Shore conferences competed to benefit mental health awareness.
The nonprofit also holds an annual Into The Light 5K Walk/Run at Rutgers University that features guest speakers who tell their stories. Over 600 participated in the most recent one held Saturday, May 4.
For more information about Into The Light, visit intothelightus.com.
If you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide, there are people who want to help. Reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or Text HOME to 741741 to contact a trained crisis counselor. A confidential and anonymous helpline for New Jersey’s youth and young adults called 2nd Floor can be reached at 1-888-222-2228.
