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I’m Still Here: A Walk of Celebration for Suicide Attempt Survivors
Notes From The Crew What’s up, everyone? My name is Steve Grigelevich, and I’ve been a contributing writer for BCN since March 2020. Before that, I was a fan in the crowd at DAP shows. I started writing for our blog as a way to deal with the stress of the pandemic, hoping to foster creative connection with others. After my twins were born unexpectedly eleven weeks early in April ‘20, I was thankful to be able to write a piece about my weeklong stay in the hospital with them. Last year, I started writing for the print edition, focusing on labor movement issues. It was because of this new focus that I became interested in BCN’s own process toward facilitating worker dignity and solidarity. So, for this month’s edition of “Notes from the Crew,” I present my interview with BCN’s founder Sam Potrykus and our Editor-in-Chief Kevin Dacey about the recent decision to start paying BCN contributors.
On September 11, DeeDee’s Cry will host its first walk– I’m Still Here: A Walk of Celebration for Suicide Attempt Survivors. As an attempt survivor, founder Toy Burton feels that it is important to celebrate those who choose life, as well as to support those who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts. You do not have to be a suicide attempt survivor to join us in celebration. Register to walk using this link: www.tinyurl.com/stillherereg
SG: How did conversations on paying contributors begin?
DeeDee’s Cry Suicide Prevention & Family Support was founded in 2017. The name is a tribute to Burton’s big sister, Denita Morris, who died by suicide at the age of twenty-three in 1986. Burton herself is a suicide attempt survivor. She has struggled with her mental health, suicidal ideation, drugs, and alcohol for many years, but has been clean and sober for over twenty-four years.
KD: We’ve been wanting to pay writers for years. We finally feel stable enough with our current team and finances to invest in the artists we work with. It also comes from the original mission of our non-profit, Brain Arts Org: GET ARTISTS PAID. Pretty much putting our money where our mouth is. We’re working towards sustainability of the paper now Burton founded DeeDee’s Cry after she noticed that organizations that focused on more than ever. By investing in our artists, we hope to uplift them and show them that suicide prevention weren’t giving enough attention to Black and Brown people. Her they are more than just words on a page. organization aims to build community, raise awareness, and normalize conversations about suicide and mental health amongst people of color, believing that when we share our stories, we chip away at the stigma that surrounds mental health and suicidal ideation.
DeeDee’s Cry connects the community to the resources. The organization provides workshops, community events, and activities that promote mental health education and healing, particularly in communities of color. In addition, they also host a YouTube channel of videos of virtual conversations about a number of topics including children’s emotional health, men’s mental health, and the series Mental Health While Black. DeeDee’s Cry believes that most adults do not address their childhood traumas, and although no one is to be blamed for their traumas, we are responsible for our own healing. They also host an ongoing peer support group called Healing Begins With Me. Those interested in connecting should email deedeescry@yahoo.com for more information. —DeeDee’s Cry
SP: Like Kevin said, we’ve been having these conversations for years about wanting to pay all BCN contributors. But without a vision of overall financial stability, it wasn’t wise to begin paying folks. This new revenue plan is similar to our work in the past with donors small and large, grants, and sponsorship. The main difference is we’re investing more into our fundraising efforts and reducing BAO programming so that BCN, DAP and BAO advocacy comes first. continued on page 2…
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Phoebe Delmonte: p.1, 4, 5 Hannah Blauner: p.2, 3, 7 Adrian Alvarez: p.6, 8 THIS PAPER IS AN ONGOING PROJECT OF BRAIN ARTS ORGANIZATION, INC., A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT. PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO, VOLUNTEERING OR OTHERWISE SUPPORTING US: BRAIN-ARTS.ORG
THIS PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED IN PART BY A GRANT FROM THE BOSTON CULTURAL COUNCIL, A LOCAL AGENCY WHICH IS FUNDED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS CULTURAL COUNCIL, AS ADMINSTRATED BY THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF ARTS + CULTURE