The Yellow Tulip Project is a national, youth-driven movement aimed at smashing the stigma and silence surrounding mental illness.
It began when teenager Julia Hansen was dealing with her own depression, alone. It took the tragedy of losing her 2 best friends to suicide for the high school sophomore to find her voice, and speak out.
Julia’s mother, Suzanne Fox, helped her create an online space to inspire conversations about how to combat the rising tide of suicide. Yellow Tulip Project members speak and conferences, schools and youth events; provide programs, and plant “hope gardens” in the fall that bloom in spring.
Julia lives in California. But her mom Suzanne grew up in Westport, and graduated from Staples High School.
Westport Department of Human Services director Elaine Daignault did not know that when she learned about the Yellow Tulip Project, and brought it to Staples’ Teen Awareness Group. She’s an advisor to TAG, a student-led group that takes a realistic, impactful role in trying to reduce teens’ risky behavior, and promote personal and shared responsibility.
TAG loved the project’s message about instilling hope. They bought 500 tulips.
Inspired by Julia’s story, TAG looked for locations to plant yellow tulip bulbs. They’d serve as a visual reminder of hope for those dealing with mental health issues.
In November they planted 2 hope gardens. One was at Staples, near the peace pole in the courtyard by the auditorium. The other was at the Senior Center.
TAG members planted tulips in the Staples High courtyard …
“We liked the idea of spreading hope to seniors who may experience isolation, grief and loneliness as they age,” Daignault explains.
“And the kids recognized that our active seniors may also appreciate an inter-generational initiative that encourages the community to talk openly about mental health.”
Senior Center director Wendy Petty and program specialist Jason Wilson suggested using the dormant winter garden, to protect the bulbs from deer.
Jason helped prepare the soil, and gave TAG members “the confidence to get a little dirty,” Daignault says.
… and, with help from Jason Wilson (rear), at the Senior Center.
It was only then — after talking with Senior Center member Dorothy Fox — that Daignault learned of her daughter Suzanne and granddaughter Julia’s Westport connection.
TAG members plan a small dedication ceremony today (Friday) at 3 p.m., when the blooms look their best.
The timing works well too, because TAG is preparing for Staples’ Get Real Day on May 8. It’s a school-wide focus on mental health and substance abuse awareness.
“The Yellow Tulip Project’s Hope Garden is another way TAG hopes to encourage open conversation about wellness, and spread awareness about available resources,” Daignault says.
“Next year we’ll try to build some programming around the initiative. But for now, we’re just thrilled to spread some light and cheer this spring.”
Westport Center Senior’s “Hope Garden,” in bloom.
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