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[nprglobalhealth]

Need to talk to someone about your problems? Sit on the Friendship Bench. 

In Zimbabwe, it’s a safe place where trained community members counsel folks struggling with what they, in the local Shona language, call kufungisisa (“thinking too much”) – or what Americans call depression.

Read the full story here

[npr]

Very interested in this idea! -Emily

[anonymous-robot]

[nprfreshair]

“Stretching a quarter mile down Laguna Beach, Phillip K. Smith III‘s art installation ¼ Mile Arc created a glittering spectacle along the sand. 250 stainless steel posts, polished to a mirrored sheen, were spaced evenly in a gentle arc along the coastline. Over a period of 4 days, curious beach goers and art lovers discovered how the light and color of sand and surf illuminated the poles.”

via My Modern Met / photography by Lance Gerber.

[staff]

12 days into the new year, 353 to go

Maybe you made a New Year’s resolution, maybe you didn’t. Either way, you probably deserve to feel happy and encouraged in this new year. Consider adding a hearty dose of encouraging, kind animals to your dashboard.

Badly Drawn Everything (@badlydrawneverything) 

Reportedly features badly drawn things, yet this bee is not bad at all. This bee’s message is both positive and realistic. Cool.

Toria (@toriascribblingalonewithcomics)

This Tumblr has a whole tag dedicated to motivational animals. Listen to this sloth. Don’t you dare hurt their feelings.

The Latest Kate (@thelatestkate​)

Even more positive Animalia. Maybe it’s an otter. It’s at least a cousin of the otter. Maybe it’s a polecat? Could be a ferret. Let’s not get caught up on the details, let’s just enjoy this long mammal. 

[cheezer417]

THREE'S COMPANY | Such a rarity to have everyone in for a family photo. We love our kitten monsters! 🐱🐱🐱 #nationalcatday #catsofinstagram #kirbykittens #rescuethemall

[pandawan99]

ASDGADJHADJDABAJD♥ Panda :QQQ

[pbsnature]

Love in the animal kingdom : )

[dailydoseofstuf]

[nprfreshair]

Oh, to be enveloped in autumn colors.

[cheezer417]

Fall is here

[cheezer417]

LA sunsets & 101 traffic #lalife #goodbyesummer (at Rampart Village, Los Angeles, CA)

[cheezer417]

now, go take on the week like this crazy tiger-squirrel (courtesy of ppl who love the internet & photoshop) #rwar #killit

[cheezer417]

Time to try these babies out #nikeflyknit #nikeplus #run #justdoit

[nprfreshair]

In an effort to combat the widespread gun violence in North Philadelphia Dr. Amy Goldberg (trauma surgeon) and youth counselor Scott Charles began the Cradle to Grave Program.

An exercise in the Cradle to Grave Program has kids write on toe tags all of the people that would miss them if they died. (above)

Dr. Amy Goldberg and Scott Charles lead at-risk youth through an interactive visit in the trauma unit where shooting victims undergo extensive procedures. Their goal is to demonstrate that gun violence has serious life-threatening consequences, contrary to the “bravado” on the street.

In addition to the preventative aspects of the program, Scott Charles explains his role as an advocate for victims of gun violence:

The very first thing I want to do is to let them know that there’s somebody there serving as an advocate for them and that they can tell me anything, ask me anything. It’s really to have a conversation with them at every turn, to let them know that we don’t have to continue this cycle of violence, that it can end here. … When the two of us can have a conversation we’re going to spend a lot of time talking about what retaliation ultimately means, how this will carry on much further down the line.

photo credit: Jessica Kourkounis