“The Yellow Tulip Project is dedicated to smashing the stigma around mental illness and their youth ambassadors shared some tips for easing travel anxiety with us.”
Boston Logan Airport
“All of us suffer, so it’s important to recognize that we all are a piece of this giant puzzle, and to show up and care for others.”
Madeleine Manno, Youth Director of Events
“You see how people in our school have bonded over the subject of mental health since planting Hope Gardens, and how it’s become a more comfortable topic in our school.”
Wilhelmina Goldberg, York High School
“Our dogs made us realize that we had to go on–they supported us through our toughest time.”
Julia Hansen on Tails & Tulips
Radio Pet Lady Network
I have been to dozens of art openings and shows, and I have to tell you that “I Am More” was the best and most important one we’ve ever had. Each speaker’s words touched me and I’d be surprised if they didn’t do the same for most people there.
Attendee
I Am More: Facing Stigma Exhibit
Several students have already confided in me the personal importance of the Exhibit’s opening night, including an undecided advisee who yesterday told me he is now leaning toward a Psychology major, inspired in part by the Exhibit and discussions with his therapist.
Educator
I Am More: Facing Stigma Exhibit
I was so moved by the photographs–so simply hung, yet so poignant. The personalization of each portrait spoke volumes, just people trying to live their best lives and making a difference for others by telling their simple stories. It was amazing!
Attendee
I Am More: Facing Stigma Exhibit
“The project’s meteoritic success is due to its youth-led campaigns, and the safe spaces YTP cultivates to discuss and dismantle the stigma about mental health.”
Jackie Abramian
“I am so proud of the work we are doing and am so honored to work alongside such inspiring, passionate and determined young people who are eager to make a difference in this wild, wacky world. Life is hard and painful and exhausting but life is simultaneously beautiful and vast and interesting and kind and filled with light and love.”
Julia Hansen
“Each garden is going to have bulbs, and they’ll come up in the spring to show our solidarity against mental health.”
Dawn Roberts
Community Health at Northern Light AR Gould Hospital
“On the I Am More Exhibit: It was so wonderful milling around, hearing all the wonderful, positive comments. I heard a man on his phone saying,’You have to get down here, this is amazing’ People talked to me, too, about their stories and how they could easily be the one on the wall. Folks were excited, moved, and connected.”
Anne
Art Gallery Curator
“I think getting people together to talk about it is like Alcoholics Anonymous, where people get together and speak about their problem. They understand they’re not alone in this and understand that others are with them.”
Calvin Nelson
“Mental health wasn’t something that was talked about at home or school. The Yellow Tulip Project has made me feel safe, they have made me realize that what I am going through and the way I am feeling is normal and is ok.”
Conrad
YTP Ambassador
“People don’t want to talk about mental illness because it’s scary, and people don’t have the language, there’s so much stigma out there, but we’re trying to normalize that.”
Suzanne Fox
“The work of tulip planting last fall was very special. Our culture of stigma around mental illness touches many lives and people in Waterville took on this project with a vigor, intention, and commitment that was quite inspiring.”
Waterville Community Member