Stuff I like: Direct-trade chocolate, holding babies, concerts, getting music recommendations, sharing music con mis amigos, pretending that I am good at Spanish, acoustic versions of songs, Jack Antonoff, feeding my sweet tooth, baking, used bookstores, Emerson & Thoreau quotes, coffee, traveling, going to the movies, stalking dogs at parks, the sound of a tattoo gun, reading/writing/listening to poetry, the smell of rain, sweatshirts and sweatshirt weather, being a 2 on the enneagram.
Why I’m here: I’m still trying to figure out the balance between taking care of myself and taking care of other people, and this internship seemed like the perfect opportunity to continue finding that balance. I’m here for me: To learn how to be okay with doing things for myself for no reason other than it’s what I want. I’m also here because I love people; I love helping and being helpful, I love being sensitive to the needs of others. TWLOHA, both inside and outside the office, is allowing me to see the importance of both loving people and loving myself.
I would most likely stuff the office fridge with: Coke Zero, lunchables, and Cherry Coke Zero. Also, Vanilla Coke Zero.
On the weekends, I'm usually: Reading, listening to music, eating ice cream, trying new cookie recipes, swimming in the ocean during prime shark time at Sebastian Inlet, laying on the loveseat in the living room with the light blue comforter watching Parks & Rec, House Hunters, or Queer Eye with the fellow interns in The Burrow.
We're jamming to your playlist on a road trip, what artists are we listening to? Bleachers, Glass Animals, MUNA, Louis the Child, Lorde, Catfish and the Bottlemen, anything Taylor Swift before Reputation (don’t fight me on this), Honors, AJR, BØRNS, Amber Run, and Banks.
If you could go to any concert, who would you go see? Someone I haven’t seen: MUNA. Someone I would see again: Bleachers.
If you have dibs on the TV, what are you most likely watching? Monk, Criminal Minds, or It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
If you had a free plane ticket, where would you go? Somewhere I haven’t been: Greece. Somewhere I’ve been but would go to again: Mababu, Tanzania.
What takes you out of your comfort zone? Being the center of attention, having to make decisions, talking about myself, not knowing how to help/having to ask for help (y’all I am such a 2 it’s GROSS).
Stuff I like: Laughing (as you can tell from my photo), listening to music, binge-watching TV, dogs, hot tea, watching movies, star gazing, traveling, road trips, Harry Potter (proud Hufflepuff!), laying in my hammock, tattoos, afternoon naps, sunsets, women’s soccer, college basketball, deep conversation, and Broadway shows.
Why I’m here: My awareness of mental health began the summer before my junior year of college. I was going through a really tough time dealing with a lot of overwhelming feelings and thoughts that I didn’t know what to do with. I felt like I was the only person struggling. I knew that’s what the darkness wanted me to believe. So I began speaking about my struggles and talking about going to counseling. I quickly found two things: 1. Mental health conversations make people uncomfortable. No one wants to talk about their struggles out of fear of being rejected and labeled as “crazy.” No one wanted to talk about suicide, but the suicide rate was increasing. 2. My friends and people I talked to started to share things about their own mental health struggles. It was like showing people that they weren’t alone in their struggles made them feel comfortable enough to share and ask for help. That’s why I’m here.
I want people to know that they aren’t alone and that it’s ok to struggle and there is help for them. I believe that the world is a better place with them in it. TWLOHA believes that as well. I wanted to do my part and serve an organization that does so much to end mental health stigma and find help for people that need it.
I would most likely stuff the office fridge with: Something quick and easy to make. I don’t really like to cook. I’m likely to stuff the cabinets with chips, popcorn, pretzels, and other snacks.
On the weekends, I'm usually: Sleeping in, catching up on TV I missed during the week, at the beach (if it’s not too hot), or watching a movie.
We're jamming to your playlist on a road trip, what artists are we listening to? Chance the Rapper, Paramore, Sleeping at Last, Beyonce, Kings of Leon, The 1975, Drake, Gabrielle Aplin, JP Cooper, JohnnySwim, Tori Kelly, Hamilton Soundtrack, Kendrick Lamar, Demi Lovato, Sara Bareilles, The Aces, and maybe some Jonas Brothers for a good bit of nostalgia. I like a lot of different music so I have a nice mix of artists/genres when it’s on shuffle.
If you could go to any concert, who would you go see? Paramore—always! I just saw dodie in concert and it was an incredible experience! I would also love to see The 1975 because I am super into their new tracks!
If you have dibs on the TV, what are you most likely watching? Wynonna Earp! (If you haven’t heard of it go watch it on Netflix right now! You won’t regret it!) Also, The Great British Bake Off, Brooklyn 99, Parks and Rec, Bob’s Burgers, The Walking Dead, This Is Us, and Modern Family.
If you had a free plane ticket, where would you go? I would probably go wherever the next plane leaving was headed to. I want to see as much of the world as I can. India, Japan, Australia, and Africa are the top places on my list.
What takes you out of your comfort zone? Being the center of attention, especially in a large group of people.
To learn more about becoming an intern click here.
Have you remained involved with TWLOHA’s mission since you left?
“The ache for statistics to change and stigma to fall never leaves you. You carry the mission and fire wherever you go, I guess why would you ever want to shake it? I am so thankful for each person who continues to fight, even when the work is tough and the messages break your heart.”
- Rachel McCluskey, TWLOHA Fall 2012 Intern
We asked several of our former staff and interns to reminisce with us, and we’d love for you to join in and look back on the last ten years.
Welcome to my GoFundMe page! My name is Ben Tichenor. In January of 2016 i will be driving from Buffalo, New York to Melbourne, Florida to participate in the internship program at a non-profit organization called To Write Love On Her Arms. TWLOHA has been around since early 2006 and i started g...
hello tumblr friends!
this upcoming spring, i am interning with TWLOHA in Melbourne, FL. this is an organization that helps people who struggle with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.
the internship program is 16 weeks long and unpaid. i would love your help. you can support me financially at this link.
"Look often at the thousands of pictures you took and remember. Remember the growth, remember the good and hard times, and remember the joys, triumphs, healing, and vulnerability you all shared in this place." -TWLOHA Intern Director, Lauren Gloyne. #twlohainterns #twloha #kwestphalphotography #twlohafall14
Why I’m Here: I am personally affected by the issues that TWLOHA addresses. Over the years, I have come to know the importance of sharing my story and being proud of the journey I have walked to get to this moment. I am alive today because a community of people believe in me, and I am honored to now play a role in offering hope to those who need some light.
Stuff I Like: Kittens, old people, ice cream, laughing, dancing, writing, reading.
I would most likely stuff the office fridge with: ICE CREAM. But that belongs in a freezer.
If my music is on, I’m listening to: anything. I know it’s such a cliché answer, but I have such a wide range of music taste: pop, oldies, country, rap, R & B. You name it, I’ll listen to it!
Outside of the office, I’m most likely: sleeping. I’m like a cat in this sense. I would sleep 20 hours a day if that were acceptable. I also really want to learn to surf while I am here!
If you had a free plane ticket, where would you go? Australia and New Zealand. I was supposed to study abroad in New Zealand my junior year of college, and it didn’t work out so my next trip will be there.
If you could guest star on any TV show, what would it be and why? The Price Is Right. I used to watch it all of the time as a kid, and it is my dream to play Plinko!
Why I'm Here: I want to help people the way that TWLOHA has helped me. I want to let people know they're not alone in what they're feeling. I want to do something that matters.
Stuff I Like: Reading, writing, drawing, anything to do with cats, teacups, TMNT, Star Wars, mermaids, lipstick, changing my hair color frequently, coffee, tea, the color black, and Iron Man.
I would most likely stuff the office fridge with: Unsweetened Iced Tea.
If my music is on, I’m listening to: Paramore.
Outside of the office, I’m most likely: Writing or watching something on Netflix.
If you had a free plane ticket, where would you go? Ireland
If you had one superpower, what would it be and why? Invisibility. Of the many perks of this super power, one of the best would be hiding from people when you want to be alone.
