Springfield Suicide Survivor Becomes Therapist that Celebrates Life
Springfield, MA – On March 6th, 2021, Wellness for the Culture will host the “One Day You Will Live” Scholarship Gala with a twist – a luxury virtual celebration, complete with formal wear, special delivery food and drinks, and of course, encouragement and inspiration to LIVE!
“I grew up with the notion that therapists were bad, and this affected my approach to receiving therapy when I had a traumatic experience. All of my messages had been received from TV or media, and they were stigmatized, leading me to miss out of some of the potential benefits I could have received while I was struggling,” shared Whitney Dodds, Founder & Owner of Wellness for the Culture, LLC, and Creator of the “One Day You Will Live” Scholarship Program & Gala. “As I progressed through my own experiences with therapy, I recognized a deep need for culturally competent counseling services for Black and Brown communities.”
The “One Day You Will Live” Scholarship Fund was started in 2020, with a celebratory dinner for Dodds who struggled with depression and suicidal ideation. Friends and loved ones gathered for the intimate evening celebrating 10 years since Dodds survived a failed suicide attempt and honoring her journey to drawing upon her own lived experiences to now bring hope and healing to her community through her counseling work.
Dodds formed a team, and the money raised from the dinner became the start of the scholarship fund created to support college students struggling with mental illness and suicidal ideation, both financially, and in the pursuit of mental health and wellness services while enrolled in school.
“I can remember during my own struggle, that I was almost kicked out of school, I missed a semester, I experienced public shame, all while needing to see a therapist and address the trauma I had endured. My intention is to champion someone else, to put a reassuring “hand to their back” and let them know that they aren’t alone – I’ve got you! This community is here for you!”
During the virtual Gala, attendees can look forward to empowering Keynote Speakers (details soon to be released), inspiring spoken word performances from Actress, Writer, Casting Director, Author & Poet, Crystal Senter-Brown, and engaging dialogue from Mistress of Ceremonies and PureSpark Founder, Nieisha Deed, all from the comfort of home, but with gala elegance. It’s time to break out the black tie and formal wear, for an amazing evening of building awareness for suicide prevention and celebrating life! Attendees will also receive deliveries of charcuterie boxes and a bottle of bubbly (non-alcoholic option available) right to their homes.
“When people choose life, we should be celebrating! We could be mourning or at a funeral instead. We are acknowledging that there are people who have to choose to be here every day, and we are applauding that choice.”
For more information about the “One Day You Will Live” Scholarship Fund & Gala please visit OneDayYouWillLive.com. You can Click Here for Gala details and make ticket purchases here. If you are interested in partnering with the “One Day You Will Live” Scholarship team, and becoming a sponsor of the event, you can Click Here for more information and to complete Sponsorship Form. To learn more about Wellness for the Culture, please visit WellnessForTheCulture.com. You can also follow and stay connected on Facebook and Instagram.
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