Last week The Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching Tolerance Program  released a report documenting the effect of the 2016 election on schools and students.  Over ten thousand teachers, school counselors and administrators participated in an online survey.  Nine out of ten educators who responded said they had seen a negative impact on students’ mood and behavior following the election.  Eight in ten reported heightened anxiety on the part of marginalized students.  Teachers reported that targeting and harassment in their schools had skyrocketed, particularly against immigrants, Muslims, girls, LGBT students, and kids with disabilities. Many educators described a profound change in the environments of their schools.  According to the report, “students are tense, have lost trust in each other and are struggling to get along.”
     In this changed school environment, the glow media films are more important than ever!  The films are about students from different racial, ethnic and class backgrounds.  In the first three films we see main characters grapple with issues related to sexual identity, body image and pressure to succeed.  The students are kind and respectful to one another and support each other through difficult times. The films are intended to destigmatize challenges such as these that can make teens feel vulnerable and alone, and to worry that they are different from their peers.   Students watching the glow media films will learn that struggling with anxiety, depression or an eating disorder in adolescence is common, and that there is help available.  Not only will this help them to cope with their own challenges, but should heighten their sensitivity and empathy to other students who may be struggling.  Classroom discussions of the films can help to teach tolerance, build community, and increase trust between students. 
It’s easy to focus on the negative aspects of this past election. It’s harder to look at the differences that were highlighted and learn from them to impact real change.  

For more information about glow media visit www.glowmedia.org or our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/glowmediaorg

Excitement is in the Air!
Last week was an exciting one for the glow media world (Preceded by an exciting week, to say the least, in all our worlds!).  It began Saturday, Nov. 11, with a full day of soundtrack recording for our new films in the world renowned NRG Recording Studios in North Hollywood, CA.  Big shout out to Chris Wonzer for his wonderful work as our music producer. Special thanks to Dale Fisher and Paul Ill for their incredible talents and continued involvement with our projects.  It was also great to see the progress George Glowacki has made over the last few years as he continues to pursue his musical career.  His guitar riffs are amazing!  We have a few new names on these soundtracks including Kellii Scott, most notably from the band, Failure, on drums, the multi-talented Justin “Kong” Joyce on vocals and bass, and two young artists: Lexie RoseReinhold, and actor/singer Noah Chiet on vocals.  The energy in the studio was palpable! We are super excited to hear the finished products and share with you!

We capped off a busy week in Los Angeles attending Facing Addiction’sprogram highlighting the release of the Surgeon General’s report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health, https://addiction.surgeongeneral.gov.  Our first film, Warning: Take Only as Directed, spoke directly to issues addressed in the report including the following:

• Nearly 70 percent of those who try an illicit drug before the age of 13 develop a substance use disorder within seven years, compared with 27 percent of those who first try an illicit drug after the age of 17, and
• People who first drink alcohol before age 15 are four times more likely to become addicted at some time in their lives than are those who have their first drink at age 20 or older.

In other words, the earlier the exposure, the greater the risk.  Additionally, almost 40% of those with a substance abuse disorder have underlying mental health issues and fewer than half ever receive treatment. Wow – what a confirmation of the needs that our films address.  Treating addiction as a disease reduces stigma and will lead to better treatments.  Treating mental health without similar stigmas will also lead to better outcomes.  Both will lead to happier, healthier lives for all.

You can find out more at glow media films or check out our new trailer by clicking on  #NEWFILMS.  We now move on to finalizing the music and incorporating the music into the films.  Stay tuned for premiere dates!

On the fund raising side, we have raised over $145K of our $200K goal and have established the financial foundation to see our efforts through to success.  Thanks to all that have supported us and if you haven't contributed yet, we'd welcome your donation!  You can find information about contributing at www.glowmedia.org/donate. 
 
I feel truly blessed to work on such an important effort.  I am also very thankful for all that have supported this project and look forward to showing you the fruits of all our efforts.  

Kindest Regards - Trish

Ask any psychologist what constitutes strong mental health, and they will often cite the importance of being seen, heard and valued.  One only needs to look at a central theme of this election cycle to see why this is important.  There are many people today who feel our systems of government, neither see nor hear them.  Politicians who pay attention to these groups of people, who perceive themselves as ignored, have been successful in giving them a feeling that they are valued.  We all respond positively to those who see and hear us. 
 
Large groups have the ability to make themselves seen and heard, especially during election season. How do we, as a society, ensure that our individual children and young people feel valued on a daily basis?  For when they don’t feel seen or heard, they struggle with their perceived value.  That is why, for example, peer pressure is so strong.  To feel like you fit in at a young age is very important.  We want our friends to see us and hear us.  We will do many things, both positive and negative just to be accepted.
 
Those that struggle with being seen or heard because they have a mental health challenge, are more likely to end up exacerbating these challenges with negative behaviors.  Giving a voice to these challenges, allows for those in these situations to be seen and heard.  Providing an environment where the young person can then face these challenges with openness and transparency, without stigma, has the potential to change outcomes.
 
Our films at glow media seek to create an environment where a voice is given to those facing mental health challenges.  When the adolescents in the films model the struggle many students face, students viewing the films will feel less alone, less stigmatized by their own issues.  The teens in the film model what it is like to confide in friends about a problem, and to seek advice from a parent, a coach, or a school counselor.  The importance of getting support and learning coping strategies is emphasized.   Through our educational series, schools can present our films and start discussions, raising the chances that young people will feel valued despite the challenges they face. 
 
The 2016 presidential election will be decided one way or the other today (hopefully!) Large groups of people will continue to demand that their voices be heard.  Young people should and will be heard if they are valued by their peers, educators, and parents or guardians.  An individual voice can be as effective as a group, and certainly deserves the same amount of value!

For more information go to www.glowmedia.org

November 6, 2016 - glow media is excited to announce the release of our trailer for our new films.  You can view the trailer at glow media NEW FILMS.  The films follow three high school friends as they navigate the usual ups and downs of teenage life, while also dealing with significant underlying mental health difficulties.  The issues addressed in the films include anxiety and depression, body image, eating disorders, and struggles with sexual preferences. Check out the trailer and let us know what you think.

How do you recover from a hard childhood?

I was broken when I was five years old. I remember looking down at my bare feet hanging off the edge of my brother’s bed. It still feels like it was yesterday. My shell was different - cracked, filthy, and in pain. That was the start of the torture and heartbreak that I suffered for years.   How do you recover from a hard childhood? I am not sure you fully do but it is possible to heal and live a life that does not include abuse and neglect.

I was born into an Irish Roman Catholic family near the edge of the Bronx, New York.  Six boys were born before me. I was the seventh child and only girl. I was not encouraged to have dreams or goals. I was just supposed to be pretty, which I failed at. Both sets of my grandparents died of complications from alcoholism before I was old enough to get to know them. Alcoholism was rampant in my family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, and my parents were afflicted by alcoholism and drug addiction.  With all of the alcoholism in my family I suffered every form of abuse and neglect. 

When I was eight years old and sitting at the top of a tree that overlooked the house, I realized that what was happening in my house was wrong.  My parents and brothers were all older and I didn’t know why they were unaware of how wrong things were.  I ached because I had no one to talk to.  There was no one that I felt safe enough with to share my feelings of sadness, confusion and shame.  They were grown-ups and I was a kid.  Who would believe me?   For most of my life these feelings were imprinted on my brain.  The feelings I carried around like a huge sack were that I am damaged, I am dirty, and I am less than. These were ingrained and scored onto me.

I was always haunted with the thought that I was not good enough, talented in any way, or deserving of opportunity.  My mother and father would leave us for long periods of time, not knowing when one of them would be back. Even when they were both home, my parents were not interested in taking care of their children.  By some grace a woman “visiting” from Barbados arrived at our house and the care of my brothers and me was left to her.  Muriel was her name and she saved my life. She could not comprehend the shameful behavior, neglect and abuse I received from my mother, father, and brothers. Muriel could not protect me from the screaming and the beatings my mother doled out. But she would come to soothe after. She would be the “mother” that cared, loved, and was strong for me. She was the great force in my life. She gave me a glimmer of hope that I was lovable.  I have since benefitted from other critical influences that gave me the ability to feel worthy, worthwhile, whole, and eventually repair myself from a tragic childhood.

At fourteen years old, after my freshman year of high school, I knew it was better for me to leave home. I went to live with another family and worked taking care of their children. After that summer, I went to a school where I lived with the Sisters of The Sacred Heart. I started school with two suitcases that contained all of my belongings and I felt like I could hardly hold on. I had, and still have, a number of learning disabilities, and when I was young, barely attended school or participated in outside activities.  A counselor and one of my teachers knew I was in trouble. They took the time and effort to help build me up. This was a time when people did not talk about abuse, incest, or neglect but these women taught me that I had the power to make decisions in my life, good decisions. Three years later I graduated with awards for my indomitable spirit.

Resiliency of spirit is how I overcame a terrible childhood. Throughout my life I was taught by Muriel, counselors, and teachers to always give back because there is always someone that needs something or is hurting more than you. I was able to stop listening to the messages  about my insignificance, lack of intelligence, and worthlessness that I was exposed to early on. My childhood feelings of unworthiness took a long time to leave, however,  and to be honest, some days these feelings are still lurking. 

My eight-year old self knew that no one should feel like I did.  No kid should feel alone.  I knew what pain and isolation feel like, and I began to understand what would make me feel better, what would help me feel understood, and that it was possible that one day I would feel safe again. As I grew and worked through these personal experiences, I began to put a name on the conviction that took root on that warm summer day sitting atop my backyard tree.  That conviction was that I wanted a better life. Something in me knew life could be different. It was not easy, it was a long road, and there were setbacks along the way, but the daylight is warmer and the night time is shorter as I travel.     

My life's purpose now is to use my own life experiences to help others understand their own value and power. There were many counselors along the way that led me to choose a healthy life. The counselors in today’s schools are far better equipped to help students address difficult mental health struggles than they were when I was a student, feeling alone and misunderstood, but there is always room for more resources. Glow media films are one such resource that can help reduce stigma, correct misconceptions, and reinforce the reality that mental health affects everyone.
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I believe that to overcome tragedy and trauma, one must remember that life can change at any time towards the good.  The power of resilience is the key. Ask for help if you need it. Reach out to people that are suffering, and even though you may not believe it, try to remember you are a gift.