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Thank you @theblendersofficial for an amazing nigh

Thank you @theblendersofficial for an amazing night filled with love and music!
We are so grateful to have been the beneficiary for the Blender’s reunion at the union! #music #reunion #mentalhealthawareness #intothelight

We’d like to thank Monmouth University and @ltod

We’d like to thank Monmouth University and @ltodd_21 for giving us the opportunity to present to a Masters level class in the Mental health field! #masters #mentalhealthawareness #mentalillness #university

Giving Tuesday Today, December 3rd, is #GivingTue

Giving Tuesday

Today, December 3rd, is #GivingTuesday. This is a global initiative to empower people to give back to their local communities and organizations by celebrating generosity.

Into The Light is proud to take part in #GivingTuesday and we are asking that you consider donating to our cause: eliminating the stigma around mental health issues facing teens and young adults.

Visit our website, www.intothelightus.com to make a donation this #GivingTuesday 💚

Reflecting on an awesome Into the Light yoga sessi

Reflecting on an awesome Into the Light yoga session.

Thanks to @amandaflows for a great class which helped us relax and get centered & grounded. Not to mention, we were all very sore the next day!

We look forward to another session next semester. #yoga #grounded #mentalhealthawareness #intothelight

Please take some time to read our friend Gianluca

Please take some time to read our friend Gianluca Dalatri’s story -Alone on the Mound.
You can check out his on our website under “Stories.” A two-time Gatorade Player of the Year and a three-time New Jersey & Tri-State Pitcher of the Year who battled with injuries and self-doubt, and quickly learned that life can take everything away from you just as fast as it was given to you. “Cherish your highs, because there’s no telling where our lows will take us.” Thank you @gianlucadalatri for sharing your story and inspiring so many people around you!

#baseball #hope #mentalhealth #mound

Come Stretch Your Mind with ITL! Last year, we ho

Come Stretch Your Mind with ITL!

Last year, we hosted our first yoga event at Rutgers and it was a blast!

On 11/18 at 10 pm we will be hosting our second yoga night at the CASC room 109, open to Rutgers University students!

Wear clothes you can move in and a mat or a big towel to stretch out on! See ya there 🧘‍♀️ ☀️ 🌙

Mental Illness can affect us all. Don’t think t

Mental Illness can affect us all. Don’t think this issue is not “your issue,” because in reality it can become your issue.

This isn’t meant to scare you, but it’s meant to make you aware - aware that your friends and family may be struggling. So know the warning signs, know how to listen, ask safe & effective questions, and where to direct people for help.

We’re all in this together.

On October 10th of every year we celebrate World Mental Health Day with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.

#worldsmentalhealthday #support #wereallinthistogether

Huge thank you to @redbankcatholic for having us p

Huge thank you to @redbankcatholic for having us present to the juniors and seniors at respect week! It was such a pleasure #gocaseys

My name is Zaniah Sharkey and I am here to tell yo

My name is Zaniah Sharkey and I am here to tell you why I believe getting professional help is so important.

The answer is simple; it’s the only thing that will work.

My whole life my family has always had a connection to mental health. Over the last two years my mom and aunt have become the co-chairs on the board of The Mental Health Association (MHA) of Monmouth County. Over the last ten years, I have attended many events and fundraisers.

Due to my family’s affiliation to MHA I realized not only am I volunteering for hours but I am volunteering to make a change and learn valuable information. Information I find is intriguing yet RARELY spoken about.

When Into the Light (ITL) first began I reached out to see how I could get involved. I loved that I could help end the stigma through the ITL movement.

Losing one of my best friends was a wake up call that we cannot shy away from the mental health conversation.

For almost an entire year of my life I’d see my best friend daily. After school, sports events, parties, sleepovers, and FaceTimes. All of a sudden I was replaced by a boy.

I got mad and jealous and I thought “why can she just put a 2 week old relationship over a 52 week one?” Never could I come up with an answer. So I finally asked and the answer forever changed my life.

My best friend was suicidal and pushed us away so she could leave and not feel she was a burden.

I felt she should have told me since I had “mental health” written all over me but she felt she couldn’t, she was vulnerable the stigma. Unfortunately, it’s only talked about after we lose someone.

This needs to CHANGE NOW! Talk about it now!

You may feel uncomfortable listening but think about how uncomfortable someone suffering feels in their OWN SKIN. The more we talk about it means it will become a habit. Once it’s a habit it will be hard to break! DON’T BREAK THE HABIT! BREAK THE STIGMA!

Huge thank you to everyone that came to our first

Huge thank you to everyone that came to our first club meeting at Rutgers! So many new and old faces 🤗🤗 look out for upcoming events and meetings, and bring your friends! Next up: Diesel and Duke fundraiser on October 8th! See you there 🍔🤩✨

A huge thanks to the 14 teams who completed in the

A huge thanks to the 14 teams who completed in the Mountains vs the Seas event this year!
All together you raised a total of $36,000 to help rid the stigma surrounding mental health issues!
Great job to Red Bank Catholic for raising the most money, a total of $8,076 dollars and to the number one ☝️ individual fundraiser, Ava Sorrentino for raising $1,500!
We are so happy we were able to talk to some teams prior to the event to get you excited and passionate about our mission! Always remember to embrace the mental health conversation.

Video 📹 coming soon!

#soccer #tournament #mountainsvstheseas #mentalhealthawareness #conversation #intothelight

Thank you @connorjryan for spreading your light! P

Thank you @connorjryan for spreading your light! Please read to find out why suicide prevention month is so important to Connor!
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The month of September typically coincides with students heading back to school, the start of football season, and the transition from summer to fall. For me, September has a greater meaning – Suicide Prevention Month. This month is important to me because it’s something that hits close to home.

8 years ago, I tragically lost my beloved Uncle George when he decided to take his own life. My uncle’s death was a complete and utter shock and it is something I will forever struggle to understand. I often ask myself whether anything could have been done to deter his actions. Through the confusion and pain I struggled with in the months (and years) following George’s death, I have been able to find solace in my involvement with Into The Light.

I have come to realize my own vulnerability and understand the importance of keeping an open line of communication when it comes to mental health related issues. Throughout the years I believe the national dialogue around mental health issues has improved, but there is still more to be done. That’s why I have been compelled to work in such a capacity with Into The Light in order to promote awareness around mental health issues facing teens and young adults.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Americans aged 15-29 – this is a staggering statistic that needs to be discussed to find a solution. It is okay not to be okay – we as a society still have significant progress to make but my hope is that through Into The Light and organizations just like it, we can continue to foster a national conversation in order subdue this national epidemic.

#thankyou #shareyourstory #understand #mentalhealthawareness

On September 10th we recognize World Suicide Preve

On September 10th we recognize World Suicide Prevention Day 💚

Into the Light wants to show our commitment to preventing suicide by continuing to raise awareness to mental health illnesses and ridding the stigma by giving a platform to those who want to share their own story with all of us.
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Starting today and continuing throughout this month we will share the words of our very own Into the Light supporters as they reply to ➡️ Why Suicide Prevention Month is important to me?

Thank you @ryankreutzberg for sharing.
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”Suicide prevention month is important to me because it puts a spotlight on mental health and the need to have open and honest communication about suicide. Mental illness can make a person feel very isolated and by talking about suicide & mental health, people like myself are able to feel heard, understood, and are able to find help. I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder I and because of Into the Light, I was able to find resources that have helped me to bounce back and live a happy life. 1 in 5 people struggle with mental illness and it shouldn’t be something we run from - but something we run for together.”
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#suicidepreventionmonthisimportsnttome #september #platform #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth

Our mission ☀️ 🌙 is to rid the stigma surro

Our mission ☀️ 🌙 is to rid the stigma surrounding all mental health issues facing teens and young adults.
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Losing our father to suicide made us realize the importance of having the mental health conversation.

We strive to be an inspiration to those who feel silent, to those who feel afraid to come out and share their story.

If you are struggling, we are here for you.👬👫👭 Know there are people around you who care about you & want to listen.👂 If you know someone struggling, listen and know where to direct your friends/family for help.

Please visit www.intothelightus.com to find mental health resources available in your area.

This September, Suicide Prevention Month, make a promise to yourself to embrace the mental health conversation.💚 Your voice 🗣 can save your life, your voice can save the lives of others.
#mentalhealthawareness #listen #yourvoice #werehereforyou #suicidepreventionmonth

Happy Labor Day, we hope you all had a great weeke

Happy Labor Day, we hope you all had a great weekend!

We want to thank all of our volunteers, board members, contributors, and participants for all your hard work and dedication. 🧡

Without our ENTIRE Into the Light family, none of what we do today would be possible! ☀️ 🌙
#mission #vision #ridthestigma #events #mentalhealthawareness

First presentation down! ~ In preparation for the

First presentation down!
~ In preparation for the Mountains 🏔 Vs the Seas 🌊 tournament we are visiting the soccer ⚽️ teams’ practices so we can get the girls excited about fundraising for Into the Light & have them share the same passion we have for our mission! ☀️ 🌙
@redbankcatholic Thank you for listening and good luck on September 22nd! ~
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If you want to support your soccer team please visit our website www.intothelightus.com, click events, and it will bring you to the Mountains 🏔 vs the Seas 🌊 site!
Inbox 📨 us if you have questions!
#soccer #mentalhealthawareness #goodluck

Talking to kids 🧒 about mental illness is hard—so hard that many of us put it off indefinitely, not wanting to expose them when they’re so innocent. Rather than keeping kids in the dark, it’s essential to learn how to talk about mental health with them to help them feel comfortable talking about their own worries and end 🚫 the stigma before it begins.
At a panel we learned that as a parent 👨‍👨‍👧‍👦 having “deep/open/honest discussion” with your child about topics such as relationships, family, etc. from a young age can also lead them to feel comfortable confiding in you when experiencing uncomfortable/negative/sad thoughts 💭 and feelings.

Here are some tips on how to talk about mental health/mental illness with your child.

Parents should be aware of their child's needs, concerns, knowledge, and experience with mental health & illnesses. When talking about mental illnesses, parents should:
* communicate in a straightforward manner
* communicate at a level that is appropriate to a child's age and development level
* have the discussion when the child feels safe and comfortable
* watch their child's reaction during the discussion
* slow down or back up if the child becomes confused or looks upset
— The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry AND Today’s Parent —

With only a ~few~ weeks left until our new school

With only a ~few~ weeks left until our new school 🏫 year, we are excited to get our presentations 🗣 and events back up and running!
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Feel free to message us for presentation requests and event ideas, we want your input. #seeyousoon #mentalhealthawareness #schoolevents #highschool #university

Glad we had the chance to table at the Atlantic Hi

Glad we had the chance to table at the Atlantic Highlands Film 🎞 One Fest this weekend @filmonefest One of our videos, “What do you do?” made by @rippacreative was chosen out of about 2000 videos to be presented!
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Thank you for allowing us to be a part of this annual event and giving us the chance to share our story & talk about our organization with our local community! 🎥 📸 @atlantichighlandsnj #mentalhealthawareness #bethelight

And just like LIGHTNING 🌩 we’re back, stronge

And just like LIGHTNING 🌩 we’re back, stronger than ever! As always we want to thank all of our followers and participants who have been with us on our journey, we could not have come this far without any of you! ⚡️
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Quote of the day “Lightning on a hot summer day reminds me that change happens when we least expect it”

Change can sometimes cause reactions related to fear and anxiety & may cause us to overthink more than usual. Sometimes we may have recurring thoughts that are not related to the current change because our brain wants to distract us from reality. However, if we can accept and work to understand life’s changes, we can make it through the storm ☔️ Let us not resist feelings and emotions related to change, but rather understand life’s situations for what they are! #change #lightning #mentalhealthawareness

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