Youth-led mental health organization Golden Tulip Project launched a mental health awareness campaign called Tulips & Tulips, where people are encouraged to go out and move it with their pets. Events Director, 18-year-old Madeleine Manno of Boston, Massachusetts – who has two dogs and two cats – said, “Animals have such therapeutic effects and time is simply petting your cat. or playing with your dog can boost your mood. Pets are also a huge motivator for us to go out and #MoveIt! ”
The 2022 campaign wants people to join #MoveIt with their pets and take pictures, whether it’s walking, hiking, running or swimming. Participants can then post dog-man photos to their social networking sites so that friends, family members, and other social followers will feel inspired to participate. At the same time, says Madelaine, their followers will be aware of the stigma surrounding mental health and feel compelled to smash it!
Madeleine says you don’t need to have a pet to sign up for the month-long event, and any form of movement – whether a 5k run or knitting – is welcome. People of all ages, body types and physical abilities are encouraged to join and register for free. She said, “As a bonus, when you donate or raise more than $35, you’ll receive a thank you letter from one of our ambassadors and a lovely bandanna that you can Wear it for your pet or for yourself!”
Click this participate Tulips & tulips campaign or learn more about the organization. Or follow on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube @theyellowtulipproject. Listen to the Yellow Tulip Project, Roots and Wings podcast on Spotify: Roots & Wings, Taffy Talks
The yellow tulip project affects mental health and dogs
Dogster caught up with Madeleine to dig deeper into the Yellow Tulip Project’s Tails & Tulip campaign. Madeleine has been a part of the Yellow Tulips Project for the past three years as an ardent advocate for mental health. She is taking it one step further by attending University of Pittsburgh next year to study Applied Developmental Psychology and Special Education.
Dogster: Can you tell us more about the Yellow Tulip Project?
Madeleine: The Yellow Tulips Project was founded by Julia Hansen and her mother, Suzanne. Julia was dealing with her own depression during middle and high school, and sadly her two best friends committed suicide while she was a 15 year old high school student. year old. Tired of the stigma surrounding mental illness, Julia started speaking out about mental health and wanted to create a safe space for young people to build community and give hope to all. Thus, the Golden Tulip Project was born and has a strong team of youth leaders who spend their time advocating for mental health reform and sparking conversations about how to combat suicide rates. growing. See Julia Hansens ‘Ted Talk about depression, suicide and mental health here.
Dogster: We love that this year’s campaign theme is Tulips and Tulips and Related Dogs. Can you tell us how the Tails & Tulips campaign came about?
Madeleine: When the Move It Planning Team met in November 2021, we tried to come up with fun, creative ideas to get more people involved in Move It! We’ve thought about how mentally tough the past few years have been because of the pandemic and everything that’s happened in the world, and we’ve reflected on what our pets have given them. I was so much comfortable like during that time. … While we may be reluctant to wake up early in the morning to walk our dogs, it is this little exercise that sets the tone for our day. I know that when I walk my dog, I will have time and silence to reflect on my goals, how I feel, and what I can do to improve myself.
Dogster: How does the Yellow Tulip Project believe dogs can help with mental health?
Madeleine: The Yellow Tulip Project believes that dogs can help with mental health because they are our constant support and always give us so much love. As soon as you walk in the door after a long hard day, you’ll have an excited furry friend greeting you! Dogs encourage you to stay healthy when they beg you to take them for a walk or throw a ball for them. Dogs are always happy to go on any adventure with you, so spending time with your dog is a great reason to get active whether you’re hiking, swimming, running, or even walking. yoga! Dogs are powerful support animals and will be there for you no matter what: They don’t judge you or think poorly of you. To them, you are their whole world, and they love and cherish you immensely. Having a best friend like a dog is definitely a wonderful thing, and they are great animals to serve as a support system when you’re feeling down.
Dogster: Do you believe that discussing mental health is more important than ever?
Madeleine: 100% – I think that while the pandemic has brought a lot of devastation and loss, it has also amplified the mental health conversation like never before and made it mainstream. religion. Everyone experiences the loneliness and anxiety of a global pandemic and isolation, so mental health is widely recognized. And for those of us who have suffered in silence before COVID, in a way, this feels like a victory.
I know that if I had had more conversations in high school about mental health – or even if I had only heard the experiences of people older than me struggling with what I was struggling with – I would feel a lot less alone and honestly maybe not. struggled a lot. These conversations have a healing effect – they break stigma and ultimately save lives.
Dogster: If our readers are struggling with mental health, how can they get help?
I am not a mental health professional. That said, our youth leaders have created a really great self-care guide that includes self-care advice and tips for anyone struggling with their health. their mental health. Here’s my tip from the tutorial:
Go into each experience with an open mind! I tend to create too much anxiety when I try something new, but always find out in the end that there’s nothing to worry about! While this voice of doubt is not easy to dismiss, I have found that positive affirmations and helpful coping skills are essential. Affirmations help me have an optimistic space and have a more optimistic approach to all experiences.
Here’s mine Self-care tips:
- Unleash your energy: Have you ever felt so energized after a really stressful or super exciting event? I know I have. To release this energy, I like meditation and yoga. Both allow me space to breathe and let go.
- Music: Music has a lot of power to set the tone of your day. I created a daily music playlist in which I pick a song to end my day and add it to the playlist.
- Art diary: I love to be creative in any way possible, especially in my diary! My journaling has allowed me to let go of the pressure and explore my creative freedom. I write down my feelings, doodle, paint on the pages and attach mementos
- It’s okay to be alone: Being alone is both hard and scary but has allowed me to regulate my emotions, decompress and not worry about the people around me. I recommend going to a natural place, reading a book or going on a date with your favorite coffee shop.
If you’re really struggling, consider contacting a mental health hotline:
Dogster: What are your hopes for the Golden Tulip Project? Where do you hope it will be in five years?
Madeleine: Five years ago, when the Golden Tulip Project first started, all we had was a cute logo and a determined high school student, tired of the silence surrounding mental illness. Our message of hope, action and reduction of stigma has exploded on the national stage in such a short period of time. In the next five years, I hope that the stigma surrounding mental illness will really be removed so people know that there is help and hope out there and that it’s okay to be okay and that things are possible. and will be better. I hope that when people see a yellow tulip, they will be reminded of hope.
