you are not alone
YANA
Born: May 3, 2017
Purpose: Break down barriers to help people gain comfort in talking about mental health and reaching out for help.
Current Location: Harrisburg, PA (be on the lookout – YANA is always on the move!)
Created by: youth and community members throughout the state of Pennsylvania
Sponsored by: Youth M.O.V.E. PA and PA System of Care Partnership
“YANA”
Signs of strength
Mental health issues touch all of us at different points in our lives. Recognizing and asking for help when you have a concern is a sign of strength. It means you care enough about yourself and your health to know when to let people in.
Asking for help
If you have a concern or feel like you need help, don’t be afraid to seek out resources. chance are when you open up to a trusted individual – a family member, a doctor, a teacher, a friend – others will open up too.
You are not alone
This Stomper is named “YANA” to symbolize “You Are Not Alone.” You are surrounded by support systems who will engage with and remind you how much you matter.
Creating the Stomper
Individuals throughout the state of Pennsylvania came together to discuss the importance of mental wellness and to engage with one in other through the use of art. Each piece of this Stomper tells a story of a brave individual.
Messages of hope and encouragement were written on parts of the sneakers to help remind people how important they are and how we are all in this together.
The unveiling
Stomper YANA and it’s story was unveiled on May 3, 2017 during the Youth M.O.V.E. PA Mental Health Awareness Day at Strawberry Square in Harrisburg, PA. The theme for the 2017 Mental Health event was “You Are Not Alone,” which is how YANA got its name.
Sponsored by Youth M.O.V.E. PA and Systems of Care Partnership.
Self-care is an important way of taking care of ourselves. Essentially, self-care is…. It’s important to practice self-care strategies every day in order to care for our overall well-being.
Some tools that may be useful and help you relax include deep breathing, meditation, and yoga. These activities can help begin to open your mind, body and spirit and create a sense of calmness.
Deep breathing exercise
Stand up straight with feet shoulder-width apart
- Arms and hands are relaxed downward
- Body is relaxed
- Eyes closed
- Focus on lower abdomen (belly) and imagine a small balloon in that space
- Breath in slowly an deeply through your nose, imagining the balloon inflating slowly, hold in a few seconds
- Slowly exhale through the mouth, imagining the balloon gently deflating; blow out of the mouth as if blowing out a candle
- Tip: Place a hand over the lower abdomen to feel it go up and down and make sure you’re not breathing with the chest
- Repeat 10 times.
Be sure to check out Jana Marie Foundation’s Virtual Calming Room
YANA was made possible by the generous support of the System of Care Partnership and Youth M.O.V.E. PA.
Our Artists: Marisa Vicere, Nancy Vicere, Chris Bittner
Our Partners: Mark Durgin, Zachary Karenchak, Corey Ludden
“One of the biggest barriers to just discussing and dealing with mental health issues is self-consciousness and a lack of openness with others. The Jana Marie Foundation uses collaboration and creativity to connect people and share experiences like building the Stompers. Working together on this project will demonstrate how much we are all alike and the simple joy of being friendly and open.”
Hello!
My name YANA is to remind people that you are not alone. I stand to remind everyone to speak out if they have concerns, and that we all have many people and support around us, we are not alone.
Love, YANA
More Stompers
Strength
Survivors of Suicide
peace
Delta Program
caring, responsibility, honesty, Respect
YMCA 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