Blog Posts

Social Justice in 2020

6/3/2020

The glowmedia project unilaterally condemns all racist violence and the systemtic racial injustices that communities of color face across our nation.

In an effort to enhance understanding of and past-critical need to prevent racial injustices facing communities of color, we have invited writer and co-producer of King of the World, Kayla Berry, to share her personal story.

The author, Kayla Berry, at the premiere of King of the World, the short film she co-wrote and co-produced, with lead actor, Matthew Holliday, who plays a character based on Kayla's brother, K.C. Berry. Kayla graduated from Amherst College in 2019. She is currently in the process of applying to medical school.

"As many of you know, the recent events surrounding George Floyd’s death have resulted in a national out-cry for justice and political reform. As a Black woman, his passing hits me close to home. I personally still have not watched the video for my own mental health, but I do not need to watch the video to know what happened or to feel the anger and sadness I have right now. The action of the police was beyond inhumane, cynical and racially motivated. Mr. Floyd's death has called attention yet again to the systemic racism that exists in this country. Racism that my Black peers and I have always been vocal about, but are now just being heard.

I am a Black woman who has navigated privileged spaces her whole life. From the time I can remember, I existed as a Black girl in White spaces. What does that look like? It looks like constant discomfort of not being able to see yourself in the people around you. It looks like fear in that I may act as my White peers in a social setting but be the one to be reprimanded and blamed for the groups actions. But most of all it looks like being invisible. I exist in a world where I am not seen. I have been talked over while sitting at lunch with White peers. I have sat in circles and watched as everyone was invited to an outing - except for me. I have been questioned on my own intellectual capabilities during courses in college. This, in itself has been daunting on my mental health as I questioned why I was not good or visible enough. Or, what is my worth?

George Floyd's killing has brought experiences such as my own and those of many others to light. It saddens me that it took another Black person’s senseless and inhumane death at the hands of the police for this to happen. But, it shows just how much work we have to do. Every time I think of what happened to Floyd I think of my brother, K.C. He was a tall, loving Black man, who, when he was in a manic episode caused by his bipolar disorder, made my whole family worried that he might have the wrong interaction with the wrong police officer. That instead of a mental health professional being called, a police officer who saw him not as someone in need, but as threat, would be. I want justice for George Floyd! For me that means prosecuting all four officers to the highest degree. I want long lasting change for my community and that heavily includes the participation of allies from all corners of our society in America. To me the greatest thing an ally can do in addition to marching, signing petitions, and posting on social media is to start within. That means educating oneself on why this has happened to George Floyd and many others and understanding the other ways racism presents itself. It means seeing how, on a daily basis, you, as an ally, can can be aware of the space you take up and offer opportunities for your Black peers to be heard and to flourish in these United States."

Kayla Berry

King of the World

released 3-30-2020

Trish Glowacki, a parent who recognized the need for more and better mental health education, founded glowmedia in 2016. Visit glowmedia.org to learn more about our mission and how you can get involved. Together we can support teens by creating a culture of wellness in an environment free from the stigma associated with mental health.

Copyright © 2020 the glowmedia project, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:

2712 35th Place, NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
info@glowmedia.org

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World Bipolar Awareness Day

3/30/2020

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Managing stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Coping with stress can help make you and your loved ones stronger. The National Institute of Mental Health is providing useful information on ways to manage your mental health during the outbreak.

Learn More

With many schools closing and online instruction becoming the new normal, remember the free, online, mental health educational resources offered by the glowmedia project.

Since 2016, the glowmedia project has offered free films and resources to help young people develop the emotional agility necessary to thrive. The films and related resources are teen tested and approved. More than 750,000 students have already watched them.

Because teens are confronted with new and different pressures than previous generations, helping teens cope requires a completely new approach. Nearly one-third of U.S. teens suffer from an anxiety disorder. One in six admit to taking prescription medications to get high or change their mood. Mental health affects everyone, and kids struggle to find information and ask for help.

Using film, music and a fresh approach that appeals to today’s kids, glowmedia’s films and accompanying education guides provide teachers and parents/guardians with a new, relatable way to understand and address mental health, while tackling subject matter such as stress and anxiety, eating disorders, sexuality, drugs and alcohol, and more. Through Discovery Education and Learn360, our films are approved for use in school systems nationwide. If your school does not have access to Discovery or Learn360, you can download our films and curricula, free of charge, directly from our website http://glowmedia.org.

Warning: Take Only as Directed

prescription medicine abuse

Do Supermodels Eat Popcorn

body image & eating disorders

This is Me

LGBTQ issues

Gotta Get It

stress & anxiety

King of the World

bipolar disorder
release date 3-30-2020

We know you’ll find these free videos to be a valuable addition to your curriculum. With your help, kids will have the opportunity to review them with adults they trust and talk about reactions.

Download and watch the films. Use our accompanying educator, parent, and student resources to facilitate conversation.

“Thank you to the glowmedia project for working to emphasize the importance of mental wellness and social emotional learning in our educational systems.”
– Patrick J. Kennedy, Author of a Common Struggle, Founder of ParityRegistry.org.

Copyright © 2020 the glowmedia project, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:

2712 35th Place, NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
info@glowmedia.org

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

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Student Mental Health during Covid 19

3/23/2020

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View this email in your browser

Managing stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Coping with stress can help make you and your loved ones stronger. The National Institute of Mental Health is providing useful information on ways to manage your mental health during the outbreak.

Learn More

With many schools closing and online instruction becoming the new normal, remember the free, online, mental health educational resources offered by the glowmedia project.

Warning: Take Only as Directed

prescription medicine abuse

Do Supermodels Eat Popcorn

body image & eating disorders

This is Me

LGBTQ issues

Gotta Get It

stress & anxiety

King of the World

bipolar disorder
release date 3-30-2020

2712 35th Place, NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
info@glowmedia.org

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

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We Prosper 2018

11/1/2018

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Trish Glowacki talks to WealthEngine about the motivation behind starting the glowmedia project, how film can be used for advocacy and awareness, and how the glowmedia project is growing to reach a wider audience.

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Using Art for Advocacy

10/26/2018

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FEDUp is a national, grassroots coalition calling for immediate, comprehensive federal action to end the opioid addiction epidemic. In addition to regularly sponsoring the annual rally, Trish has personally supported FEDUp for the past five years. FEDUp has been incredibly impactful in ensuring that legislation addressing recovery and prevention programs be funded. The CARA Act (Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act) passed Congress just this fall.

At the 2018 rally, Trish spoke about using art, and especially film, as a powerful tool for raising awareness about the opioid epidemic, as a way to end stigma, and as therapy for both those in recovery and family members grieving lost loved ones.

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