Support
…and I’m Still Here Project‘s heart is to share stories from people who have struggled with the question of why they are still here. This is a passion project I have had on my heart for a number of years. I’d like to support local agencies that can offer mental health support, a platform for others to share their stories, and fund my art.
Local Support
This is actually a hard one for me. Mental health support is a loaded question because everyone’s situation is different from another's. Not every mental health organization is reputable enough to recommend. There’s a lot of red tape in the mental health world, which is understandable to a degree. However, I do recommend finding professional help if you need it! One tried-and-true method of help is the community. That’s the main source of local help I would like to set up a platform for.
If you are a local mental health institution and would like to partner on this campaign, please feel free to reach out, and we can have a conversation.
Platform
From my experience, just about any time I have opened up about my failed suicide attempt, other people open up. My story and your story might be the key for someone else to open up about their struggle.
Photobook | The design I have in mind is a photobook with the person’s portrait on one side of the book and their brief story on the other side—each volume to host ten people. Ideally, I want to have copies of these photobooks in places like doctors' offices, coffee shops, etc., placed in areas where people can read the stories, scan a QR code in the books, and listen to more of the stories via interviews.
The photobooks will be a significant expense because the material/medium will be high-quality, like a wedding album. Each photobook can be sponsored or purchased. The materials for each photobook average about $300, not to mention the effort to record the videos and photos. If I were to hire myself, this would cost about $1,500 :-)
Sponsor a book - Within the introduction of the book will have a dedicated section for the sponsor. This section can lead to your website, have a special message, or we can talk about what would be most impactful for your spotlight. Investment $500.
Project Sponsor - You’ll be labeled as a Project Sponsor on this website, social media posts, dedicated message in the Photobook, and a sponsored plaque for a single wall portrait in the gallery, plus a copy of the Photobook. Investment $10,000 for one year.
Galley Portraits | I initially want to display each person included in the volume in my studio. The portraits will have plaques/titles and QR codes to scan, leading to the video/audio platforms. This will be another expense to consider. Each canvas print costs about $75 per print just for the materials.
Sponsor a Portrait - On the plaque includes the name of the person in the portrait, QR code to the full edited interview, and a dedicated section for a sponsor. The portraits will also be shared on social media and the website, where the sponsor’s message can be displayed. Investment $250.
Interviews | I want to interview the person during the photo session. Throughout the conversation, I’ll be snapping photos for the photobook. The session will be recorded and edited for video and podcast platforms like YouTube and Spotify. Invenstment, your time, which is priceless.
Please fill out the form below if you would like to inquire about supporting this project.
Please Note: I am not a licensed mental health professional. This blog provides information for awareness purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. If you are struggling or in crisis, please seek help from a qualified professional or call emergency services.