Suggestions
Manya Chylinski
Motivational speaker | Keynote speaker | TEDx | Podcaster | Storyteller | Advocate | Survivor | Friend
Manya Chylinski is the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief at Project BFF, an initiative focused on mental health advocacy and support. She is also recognized as a motivational speaker, keynote speaker, and TEDx presenter. Her work emphasizes the importance of shifting mental health systems towards a well-being focus rather than solely crisis response.12
In addition to her role at Project BFF, Chylinski is the Founder & CEO of Stronger U and has held leadership positions such as President & Founder of THRIVE Lifeline. She is involved in various aspects of wellness coaching, education, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives.14 Chylinski frequently shares insights on mental health topics through her social media platforms, engaging with audiences on issues like resilience and trauma.23
Highlights
Beyond the buzzwords: What does trauma-informed truly mean?
In the final episode of our three-part series adapted from the webinar "Unveiling Trauma’s Hidden Costs", we explore the power of compassion, cultural competency, and systemic change in fostering resilience and building a trauma-informed society.
Join us as we uncover the path to a more humane and effective support system.
https://lnkd.in/eE5UwAsG
#trauma #TraumaInformed #MentalHealth #wellbeing #SocialJustice
Ingrid Cockhren, M.Ed. Jesse Kohler Martin Ali Simms, CPT, PES, CES, 🧠NM-Sport Constance Iannetta
If you know me in real life or we're connected here on LinkedIn, you might not realize that there’s something I never talk about.
I am a survivor of a terrorist attack.
It's taken me more than 11 years to write that.
Even with the work I do to build awareness and help organizations become more compassionate in dealing with those who experience trauma and other life-altering events like this, I still don't use those words.
I do talk about my experience. I often call it mass violence (it was), but it is still hard for me to talk about it as a terrorist attack. I don’t like those words. I don’t like what they mean. I don’t like that this phrase is part of my life. (And while I have just written those words, I still have not spoken them.)
Today, I was honored to share my story as part of the Voice of the Victims Forum, hosted by Strength to Strength. The theme was "Stronger Together: Building Strength and Resilience in Unity." This forum is so valuable because it is by victims, for victims. We shared our stories and so much more—we talked about how to help ourselves and others heal, and how to make real change in the world to help those who will become victims.
It remains shocking and disappointing to me how many of us had to beg for help after the worst day of our lives. From the outside (and this was certainly me before April 15, 2013) we think that our government and communities will take care of everyone when something bad happens. Aren’t there wraparound services? Mental health support? Legal support? Community support? In some ways, yes. For some people. Who you are, where you were, and what exactly happened to you makes a difference in whether you are able to get support or if you are essentially left on your own to figure it out.
I am grateful to be part of Strength to Strength, a group of amazing survivors. At our core, we understand each other.
Healing is an ongoing journey and this organization has been such an important part of mine. (I joined Strength to Strength years ago—they were one of the first places I found unconditional and unwavering support and love. I have just managed to never say the word “terrorist” and almost never the word “attack” all this time.)
I am grateful to Sarri Singer and Strength to Strength for providing a safe space for survivors to connect, heal, and advocate for change. A group that lets us be who we are, wherever we are in our journey. Even if takes this long to actually call what happened to me a terrorist attack.
If you have experienced trauma, know that you are not alone.
#trauma #survivor #MentalHealth #advocacy #healing #terrorism
Travis D. Frain OBE Martin MacDonnell, CFA Lynn Julian Jo Dover Amy O'Neill, DHSc, MS, LPC Cath Hill
