Sole

the power of one

Born: January 15, 2015

Purpose: One step can start a journey. One smile can start a friendship. One candle can light the darkness. One act of kindness can help save a life.

Current Location: Jana Marie Foundation’s Office: 110 Regent Court, Suite 200, State College, PA 16801

Created by: Lead designer Annalisa Barron and Mel Forkner Lesher, Mark Pilato, Chris Bittner, in collaboration with Marisa Vicere and countless other artists who provided input and assistance. We are so grateful for all the time and energy in making this dream become reality.

Sponsored by: “Sole” Stomper was made possible through the generous support of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation President’s Grant Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation.

Sole Stomper is dedicated to those who have left us too soon, but have helped us to see how one life can inspire us to change the world.

“Sole”

The Power of One

One step can start a journey. One smile can start a friendship. One candle can light the darkness. One act of kindness can help save a life. Our prototype Stomper has been named “Sole” to highlight the power of one. Mental illness does not discriminate but unfortunately, people sometimes do. The stigma surrounding those living with mental health issues can lead to feelings of shame, loneliness and hopelessness. Because of stigma and discrimination, more than half of those people struggling with a mental health issue fail to seek treatment. It’s time to remove one word from the equation: shame. When we eliminate shame, more people will seek treatment and more lives will be saved.

Be the Difference

Remember, one person can make a difference. Listen and learn from those around you. Reach out to those who are struggling. Remember that one glimmer of hope can help raise spirits, inspire others, and help stomp out stigma.

Sole Stomper is dedicated to those who have left us too soon, but have helped us to see how one life can inspire us to change the world.

Be the Difference:

Words Matter:

It can feel uncomfortable, and sometimes even scary, to talk about mental health and suicide prevention. By finding the courage within ourselves to engage in open discussions, we can help save lives.

Tips for engaging in courageous conversations

Use “I” statements. These statements are a great way to let someone know you care about them and that you’re concerned without seeming judgmental.
Listen. It’s important to let your child speak freely and openly. Ask open-ended questions.
Leave plenty of time. You don’t want to rush any important conversation – it may be a quick or it may not be. Either way, you want to make sure there is adequate time.
Choose an appropriate time and place. Find a private place where both you and your child will be comfortable to engage in a courageous conversation. Try to avoid times when your child is dealing with stressful things.
Reinforce your love. Offer support, understanding, encouragement, and acceptance.
Don’t try to solve their problems. Let your child guide the conversation and take ownership of their well-being. Work with them to think of ways to help them through the difficult times.
Reach out to professional help. There are many trained professionals who can offer advice and who can help you and your loved one during a time of need. Reach out to a Primary Care Physician, Counselor, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, etc. for additional support.
Cultivate your own support system. Helping a loved one navigate through the process of help-seeking can be difficult on you and other family members. Find people you can reach out to, debrief with. Be sure to make self-care a priority.

A Collective Story.

Emotion. Sadness. Happiness. Anger. Fear. They are not good, not bad. It’s all about what you do with them and if you bottle them up, they become bad. I rage, you smile, he sobs, she cowers. Good. I bottle, you reserve, he fakes a smile, she stands, only to get crushed. Emotion is not bad.

Yet we are taught that they are bad and should keep it in. This will only destroy us from the inside out. Till one day we will let it out and hurt ourselves or others.

We are filled with these overwhelming feelings and when there is nothing to do with them, they turn into power, anger, fear. Power that corrupts our minds until there is nothing left but an anxious, scared teenager standing in our place. Fear that turn us against ourselves, and gives us feelings or thoughts of self mutilation and violence.

You tell us not to lie. Then you make us lie over and over. If you want to hear the truth, then listen. But, I warn you, The truth isn’t always what you think. Or what you want to hear.

We are supposed to know what these emotions will do to us and stop them before they appear. They don’t want us to pay attention to how we feel and learn from our mistakes. We are to know mistakes before they happen—before anyone knows what’s going on. But we do forgive you—Yes we do.

We are human after all. Alive with emotion, yet you’re teaching us to be dead inside. We only want things our own way and sometimes another person being alive gets in the way. We understand.

-written by a group of 9th through 12th graders

“Sole” Stomper was made possible through the generous support of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation President’s Grant Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation.

Our Dreamer: Marisa Vicere

Our Artists: Annalisa Baron, Chris Bittner, Mel Forkner Lesher, Mark Pilato

Our Partners: Jim Bright, Jim Mikkelsen, Curtis and Chris, Custom Shoe Repair, Joe Dzvonyicsak, Home Depot, Robert M. Sides, Spectra Wood, Whipple Dam Store, YMCA of Centre County – State College Branch, Edible Arrangements, Jessica Rotthoff, Vicere Family,

Our studio: C. Barton McCann School of Arts

Greetings!

I am here to remove one word, Shame, in seeking help for and speaking of mental illness, and to remind people of the power of one. I was dedicated to those who have left us too soon, but have helped us to see how one life can inspire us to change the world.

Love, Sole

More Stompers

There is help. There is hope.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health concern or crisis, please reach out for help.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: Text PA to 741741

Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

Trans Life Line: 1-877-565-8860