I haven’t (yet) read any of the books recommended in this article from Slate, but the author makes some excellent points.
Alone in the dark
Why we need more
children's books
about suicide and
severe depression
two roads diverged in a wood ...
26 Likes, 2 Comments - @raderwardfoundation on Instagram: "We revisited a favorite family hike today. 💚"
the importance of suicide prevention
Mario Music Monday
I can’t guarantee that every week we will have a Mario Music Monday, but this video is too good not to share! Also features the Nintendo Labo piano 🎹; very cool to see that in action. Please take a few minutes to enjoy. You can just listen, but if you have time to sit and watch, totally worth it!
You Tober FreddeGredde says: This is a whole bunch of tunes from every mainline Mario game, played on a whole bunch of instruments! I know many of you found me back in 2008 with my Wind Waker Unplugged video, so I thought I'd make something similar for my 10 year anniversary!
today on our Instagram
Many years ago, my sister and I attended a collage workshop put on by a quilter/artist. We were to choose what spoke to us from stacks of magazine clippings, photos, and even scraps of fabric and ribbons, then put them together. That day was when I first discovered this Robert Frost quote that deeply resonates with me. I used it as my email signature quote (back when we had those), and then when I joined Facebook, it became (and still is) my featured quote there. I feel sad today, and this quote helps. The photo is a close-up from my collage, which I framed and have hanging in my art-making space at home. The dragonfly body is glued to the background, but the wings project out from it.
0 Likes, 1 Comments - @raderwardfoundation on Instagram: "The best way out is always through-Robert Frost #robertfrost #dragonfly #wisdom #healing #grief"
how Facebook responds to suicidal content
This is an in-depth article that offers insight into how Facebook responds to language that may indicate thoughts of suicide, and a lot more to think about.
what college students should know about mental health
red is Mario's hat
July 12, 2018—Something that has come up in conversation a few times this week is the writing I did in January when I participated in Megan Devine's "Writing Your Grief" session. I posted many of the essays on my Facebook page. I thought I'd repost one of those today. For this one, we were to use a color as a writing prompt. I'm still writing every day. Sometimes I'll post those pieces here.
__________
Red is the hat that Mario has been wearing since 1981. Now, his cap is a character in the new game on the new gaming system you didn't stay around to buy and play: Super Mario Odyssey on Nintendo Switch. Blue is Mario's overalls. I've never liked the combination of red and blue in an outfit for myself, but for Mario it works, with the yellow buttons. And the logo for the Rader Ward Foundation is the red and blue and yellow of the section of Mario's clothes right over his heart. I love that logo and I wish I never had need to create it.
Blue are my eyes and yours. Blue is the cheap zip-up hoodie you wore every day, even in winter, even though I bought you warmer jackets. Even in the heat of fall and spring, going to school, because sometimes it was cold in your classrooms. You never liked to carry it so you just wore it if you might possibly need it. There are days I wear it now and I wish it made me feel closer to you.
Blue is the TARDIS in that great photo we have of you on our trip to the U.K. We rode an extra stop on the train to go see the old police phone box that looks like the one Doctor Who travels the universe in. And you're hanging on to it as if you would travel with him, to times and places unknown. It's nice to think of you being somewhere. Red is the McDonald's advertisement in the background of the photo that Lindsay toned down in Photoshop so it wouldn't detract from the large-format print we displayed at your memorial service.
Green is the border of the Mario quilt that Grandma made you. I saved all your Mario t-shirts, from toddler size up, so she could make a quilt for you to take to college. It's AMAZING. You would love it. But instead, it's mine, and I love it, but I so wish it were yours. Green is the 1-up mushroom in the Super Mario games that gives the player an extra life. Lindsay put one on your magnet poem but at first I didn't understand its significance. When she told me, I wished so fervently it were true, and my heart broke for her that she thought of it, such is her love for you.
Still green are the plants we received in memoriam. There were so many flower arrangements that we gave some away to the neighbors because there were too many for us to enjoy, and they've long since wilted and died. But most of the potted plants and container gardens I kept, the ones that would keep living, and it gives me a small satisfaction to care for them now that I have no living child at home to care for. When we went up to the mountains in July I took them all with me, a plant vacation, because I wanted to keep taking care of them myself. They sat in the sun on the dock and they bathed in the rain and it was as peaceful as it could be, considering. In the months since, one little fern in an arrangement of three pots together didn't make it, and the Flaming Katy Kalanchoe needs a little more attention before it puts forth more red flowers, but green is the color of the plants that I have because I don't have you.
Green is the spring that is coming because time keeps passing by. It seems so surreal that life just goes on, for those of us who are left still living. In fact, the days seem to pass so quickly, because it's hard to work myself up to accomplishing anything that's not essential, even if it's important in one of my alternate universes. For example, today I need to pay my mom's bills (green, green). I think I can manage that today.
But red is the hat that Mario wears, with its jaunty brim and the monogrammed M. "Cappy" is the name of the hat character, Mario's main partner in Odyssey. He can both attack and defend, increasing Mario's abilities in a variety of ways. How I wish you had known that such help was available to you if you asked.
Quilt designed and made by Sue Nesbitt.
today on our instagram
words on self-kindness from Megan Devine
Author Megan Devine says: "Self-kindness is seriously difficult. We treat ourselves far more harshly than we would ever allow anyone to treat us. Everyone struggles with this, it's not just you." This is a message everyone—not just those who are grieving—needs to hear. Today my kind self-care included teaching my indoor rowing class, debuting for them a new playlist I made of big band, swing, and crooner songs. We worked hard and had fun. How can you be kind to yourself today?
Mario Marimba Monday, is that a thing?
https://www.instagram.com/aaronismusic https://www.facebook.com/aarongrooves
Aaron says: Koji Kondo is my hero! He composed the music for Super Mario Brothers and Zelda, which are two of my all-time favorite NES soundtracks. I transcribed the "Overworld" and "Underworld" theme music, note for note, from the original Nintendo game. It took hours upon days upon weeks to learn to play on marimba with four mallets.
ending stigma
This mental health infographic by the Art of Ending Stigma is part of a global project whose mission is to amplify the conversation about eliminating stigma, while calling out the importance of scientific insights about mental illnesses. The effort was launched by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson and Johnson & Johnson Innovation LLC in collaboration with Mental Health America, One Mind, PeaceLove, and other leading mental health and art organizations.
The Art of Ending Stigma also calls on the public to submit artistic expressions about mental illnesses and to help educate people about the need to overcome stigma. This collection of art will seek to increase acceptance, foster compassion, and combat discrimination. Visit artofendingstigma.com.
my son, my son
I’m starting to read this book today; it’s one of many we were given in the wake of Rader’s death. I have read most of the others. I should put together a blog post about those books, what I found helpful. I’ll add that to the “writing my grief” section when I do. You can get to "writing my grief" from the home page by clicking on the photo of Rader and me.
jed foundation
Today I want to share the JED Foundation and the good work they are doing. Check out their Mental Health Resource Center and learn how to help yourself, a friend, or a family member. The JED Foundation is one of many useful links on our suicide prevention resources page. Click on the photo of Rader on the bench to see what else is there. New resources are being added regularly.
mario swag from Make ME That
travel goals
the domino king, via George Takei
What reminds us of Rader in this video, besides the obvious Super Mario theme, is the mind-boggling amount of effort this artist put into his work. Enjoy!
boys missing in Thai cave found alive
We rejoice today with the families of these boys! No parent should lose a child.
summertime
Today's Instagram post. Click to follow raderwardfoundation.
3 Likes, 1 Comments - @raderwardfoundation on Instagram: "Share an ice cream with someone you love this summer! ☀️"
bring change 2 mind
I doubt Rader ever saw this video. I wish he had. One of our favorite shows to watch as a family was Whose Line Is It Anyway? And then we saw Wayne Brady play Aaron Burr in the Chicago production of Hamilton just a few weeks before Rader died. After you watch the video, take a look at what else Bring Change 2 Mind has to offer. I’ll add a link on the suicide prevention page of the website.
Bring Change 2 Mind, in partnership with Brandon Marshall's Project 375, launched #StrongerThanStigma to raise awareness around the unique challenges that men face when discussing mental health, to encourage open dialogue, and to promote help seeking behavior. #StrongerThanStigma features four inspirational male figures from professional sports leagues, television, and the music industry who have made mental health advocacy a part of their platform.