Yellow flowers.
If you’ve been to Town Hall, the Westport Library, Staples High School, or Bedford or Coleytown Middle Schools recently, you’ve seen them there.
Daffodils at the Westport Library’s Jesup Green entrance …
It’s not a coincidence. It’s part of the “Yellow Tulip Project,” helping break the stigma of mental illness.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. To honor it — and let those who suffer know they’re not alone — the Westport Garden Club placed small “Hope Gardens” of yellow flowers at high-visibility spots.
… and outside the cafe.
It’s a great project. Of course, there’s a deeper Westport connection.
Garden Club member Kelly Pollard knew Yellow Tulip Project co-founder and executive director Suzanne Fox from their days in Staples High School’s Class of 1983. Kelly brought the idea to them. They unanimously agreed to go forward.
The Yellow Tulip Project was inspired and co-founded by Suzanne’s daughter, Julia Hansen.
As a teenager Julia felt alone dealing with depression. Deafening silence and stigma kept her from reaching out for help.
But after losing her 2 best friends to suicide as a high school sophomore, Julia fond her voice. She began speaking out.
She and her mom had an idea: create a space where youth could erase stigma, build community, and inspire conversations about how to combat rising rates of suicide. The Yellow Tulip Project was born.
All over Westport, you can see it blossom.
Yellow tulips outside Staples High School.
To learn more about the Westport Library’s resources and materials, click here. To learn more about the Yellow Tulip Project, click here. (Hat tip: Kelle Ruden)
(The Westport Garden Club will have more information on the Yellow Tulip Project at their annual Plant Sale. It starts at 9:30 a.m. on May 13, at Jesup Green.)
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Westport Library materials and resources.