(News release) WHITEWATER, WI., October 1, 2020 – As part of a new initiative to smash the stigma surrounding mental illness, UW-Whitewater’s Active Minds Organization will partner with UW-Whitewater Sustainability and Working for Whitewater’s Wellness, Inc. to plant tulips in the Campus Memory Garden as well as the Cravath Lakefront Park. In honor of the Yellow Tulip Project, the social distancing-style planting event will take place on October 9th and 10th.
Due to Covid-19, masks must be worn at all times and social distancing guidelines will be enforced. Registration is also required to participate in the Hope Garden Bulb Planting Ceremony, as the event is limited to 25 participants. Please sign up using the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4ca4ae23a3fdc16-hope
This event is brought to Whitewater by the UW-W Active Minds Organization, UW-W Sustainability Office, Working for Whitewater’s Wellness Inc., the City of Whitewater, the Whitewater Unified School District, and Seeds of Hope. Stay updated on The Yellow Tulip Project by following @ytp_whitewater on Instagram.
The Yellow Tulip Project, founded by Julia Hansen, was created to combat the increasing rates of suicide through productive conversations, community interaction, and eradication of the stigma. The nonprofit organization partners with schools and publics to plant Hope Gardens to instill a sense of hope and happiness within communities. (theyellowtulipproject.org)
Yellow Tulips represent happiness and hope. After a long winter, tulips offer a reminder of perseverance and the renewal of spring. The flowers will be planted in the fall and bloom during the following spring season. Active Minds will plant three thousand yellow tulips with the purpose of bringing awareness to mental health and combatting suicide rates.
The UW-Whitewater Active Minds Organization dedicates their mission to creating conversation about mental health among America’s youth. UW-W Graduate Taylor Stevens explained, “Active Minds creates a safe space for myself and others on campus to express ourselves and feel safe.” Email activeminds@uww.edu or call 608-963-5721 to learn additional information. You can find more information here: https://activemindswhitewater.weebly.com/the-yellow-tulip-project.html
Facebook Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/7178545569131514/?event_time_id=7178545575798180
About W3: Working for Whitewater’s Wellness, Inc. (www.W3wellness.org)
W3, inspired by the Blue Zones Principles, envisions Whitewater to be a community where people live longer, happier, healthier lives. W3 facilitates programs and partnerships to affect sustainable improvements for everyone in our community. W3’s strategic priorities focus on: Being Active, Eating Well, Healthy Minds and Connection.
About UW-W Sustainability: The UW-Whitewater Sustainability Office strives to improve the education and awareness of environmental sustainability issues in our academic curriculum, student life, campus operations, and local community. Educating the campus and communities we serve about the global challenges we face and the role sustainability solutions can play in addressing them, while pursuing tangible sustainability projects to improve campus operations, allows the UW-Whitewater Sustainability Office to help our university address the three values of sustainability (environmental stewardship, economic feasibility, and promotion of social justice) in meaningful ways.
Some Mental Health Resources
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK
Crisis Text Line: Text ‘Hello’ to 741-741
The Trevor Project for LGBTQ+: 1-866-488-7386
