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The Tri-County Kentucky United Way, in partnership with WellCare of Kentucky, has created a Community Impact Council to address Youth Mental Health in Nelson County. The Council focuses on increasing awareness and smashing the stigma related to mental health, and reminding all that hope is always possible. We have gathered a group of local community partners (listed below) to help to address this important issue that is affecting our local youth. We are working with The Yellow Tulip Project to implement projects in Nelson County, Kentucky. Visit their website to read more about the origin of the project.
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The mission of the Yellow Tulip Project is to help to smash the stigma surrounding youth mental health and help to increase awareness of this important issue. Stigma is the biggest inhibitor keeping people from reaching out for help. Our hope is to help others realize that even in the darkest places, hope is always there. We are dedicated to helping people know that there are ways to get help, that people are there for them, and that circumstances can change for the better.
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What is a Hope Garden?Our local students and community members will plant Hope Gardens of yellow tulips, many with yellow Hope Benches, in late October/November. When you plant a Hope Garden, you dig deep and plant the yellow tulip bulbs close together. Just like us - we all need community. This inspiring initiative will not only bring the beauty of yellow tulips to Hope Gardens within our local communities in the Spring but will also help to foster a sense of community, resilience, support, and kindness among and for local students throughout the year. It will build a community of people who realize that hope happens when youth and community leaders work together. It teaches our young people that, just as they care for the tulips, they should also nurture and support each other and themselves.
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Why Yellow Tulips?Yellow tulips are a symbol of Hope. Tulip bulbs are placed in the ground during the fall, where they survive the harsh winter, emerging strong and beautiful as a Hope Garden come Spring, representing that there is always hope. This perennial serves as a reminder of the resilience that we all demonstrate in life, especially when it comes to mental health. It's a reminder that, like these tulips, we can weather the storms of life and emerge stronger on the other side.
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Today, communities are more isolated than ever, especially young people, and we want to continue to create spaces where youth can feel connected to their community and get the resources they need. Hope Benches are a community response to the current youth mental health crisis. These bright yellow benches are a symbol of hope, providing not only a physical space for young people to foster connection but also to engage with mental health resources. Whether a Hope Bench lives in a Hope Garden or elsewhere, such as in a guidance office, a park, or the hospital – sitting on the bench signals that folks care about mental health throughout the year.
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