Blog For Mental Health was dreamed up by a wonderful woman and inspirational blogger who writes under the name of Tallulah “Lulu” Stark — better known to most of us simply as Lulu. Lulu is one of those rare souls who can lay her finger on something people need very much, and who will then waste no time in finding a way to fill that need.
The creation of the Blog for Mental Health project went something like this. To quote Lulu directly:
This morning, I found myself interested in an official blogging project to raise awareness for mental health education. I sifted through Google for awhile, unable to find anything like it. And I thought, “Why don’t I start one?” It would be easy! All I would need to do is produce a graphic and some instructions.
She went straight to work, and in early 2012 she released the Blog For Mental Health Project through her personal blog, As The Pendulum Swings. Lulu retired Pendulum to make way for a new venture that same year, and she kept Blog For Mental Health going through Sunny With a Chance Of Armageddon.
2012 Blog For Mental Health badge by Tallulah “Lulu” Stark
Something else that’s pretty important and special about Lulu is that in 2011, she created co-founded another very special project with yours truly. That project was the community mental health blog A Canvas Of The Minds, which to which we gave the tagline “A unique collaboration of different perspectives on mental health and life.”
You can read all about A Canvas Of The Minds here. The important thing you need to know right now is that for the Blog For Mental Health 2013 launch, Lulu very graciously and trustingly handed the project over to me to coordinate through Canvas. I took it on with determination and delight, but in retrospect, I had no idea what I was letting myself in for! The magnitude of Blog For Mental Health 2013, the enthusiasm, the true passion show by so many people threw me for a big loop, and I learned as I went.
2013 Blog For Mental Health badge by Tallulah “Lulu” Stark
Coming in to the launch of Blog For Mental Health 2014, I thought I was prepared. I’d made some important changes to the way the campaign was set up, and I was sure those changes would remove any confusion, making this year both more inclusive and easier for me to stage.
As it turns out, I was right. I was also utterly unprepared for the response Blog For Mental Health 2014 generated. This is something which flabbergasted me, which delighted me, which filled me with hope and joy. Additionally, many bloggers expressed a desire to share and send along more than just one initial pledge post. They wanted to share their stories ongoing throughout the year. And I very much wanted to be able to help them do so.
2014 Blog For Mental Health badge by Piper Macenzie
Thus the creation of the The Official Blog For Mental Health Project site in 2014. There you will read both initial pledge posts, as well as the ongoing stories of those who want to speak out more. In addition, social media channels have been created that are dedicated solely to Blog For Mental Health. You will find us on facebook, Twitter, and Google+. There is also a Blog For Mental Health 2015 board on Pinterest, under our account for A Canvas Of The Minds.
If you have just found this project, welcome! Please see this page for details about taking the Blog For Mental Health pledge, and all that which accompanies doing so!
Blog For Mental Health 2015 art by Piper Macenzie
Thank you all so much for your overwhelming enthusiasm, support, and sense of community. Together we can educate, enlighten, amplify our voices, share our stories, demolish stigma, support one another, and (certainly not least importantly) let anyone out there who may be struggling know that they are not alone.
With love,
Ruby
Due to my health, I will no longer be able to curate this site. If Blog For Mental Health has served its true purpose, you don’t need me here anymore anyway. The 2015 Blogroll is up-to-date as of this writing, and you can use the wonderful community of bloggers listed there to make connections, and to find kindred spirits dealing with similar challenges. That’s always been the most important role of Blog For Mental Health, to connect individuals in a positive way to support one another.
© Ruby Tuesday and The Official Blog For Mental Health Project 2014-2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Ruby Tuesday and The Official Blog For Mental Health Project with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
A Canvas Of The Minds 