Category: Abuse

Silent Anchors: Navigating Mental Health Crises with Subtle Support

Picture by Jessica Felicio

This blog explores the profound impact of silent companionship during a mental health crisis, using a personal experience on election day as a backdrop. Delving into the delicate balance between vulnerability and healing, it emphasizes the transformative power of gentle support, small gestures, and empathetic listening. Discover the art of creating a non-judgmental haven and the significance of respecting personal space. The narrative weaves through the intricacies of emotional navigation, illustrating the invaluable role of a silent anchor in fostering trust and understanding. In the tapestry of mental health challenges, find solace and resilience through the harmonious interplay of support and personal space.

Two evenings ago, on election day, I experienced an unexpected breakdown. My emotions surged uncontrollably, and I felt lost, numb. In such moments, loved ones often try everything to rescue you, but the truth is, immediate salvation isn’t always possible. What matters most is their presence. In a mental health crisis, being a silent anchor entails providing subtle support—small gestures, active listening, and understanding. It grants you the space to navigate your emotions and seek solace without feeling overwhelmed. It’s a delicate balance of companionship and respect for personal space. Creating an environment of gentle support involves avoiding imposition or dominating the conversation. Instead, a supportive person offers a non-judgmental space, actively listens, nods in understanding, and expresses empathy without overshadowing your thoughts. This approach allows you the freedom to explore and articulate your feelings without pressure, fostering trust and understanding, crucial elements when dealing with the complexities of a mental health crisis.

In the vulnerable moment of my breakdown on election day, emotions surged unexpectedly, leaving me feeling adrift and numb. These crises often become a testing ground for the support of loved ones, who instinctively try to intervene. However, the reality is that immediate rescue isn’t always feasible. What truly matters in these instances is the quiet yet powerful presence of those who care.

In the realm of a mental health crisis, being a silent anchor transcends mere physical presence. It involves a nuanced approach to support—small, meaningful gestures, active listening that goes beyond hearing, and a profound understanding that respects the need for personal space. This delicate balance becomes a lifeline, offering room to navigate the tumultuous waves of emotions and find solace without feeling drowned in someone else’s concerns.

Creating an environment of gentle support is an art. It requires loved ones to refrain from imposing solutions or dominating conversations. Instead, they become adept at providing a non-judgmental haven where you can share at your own pace. Their listening is more than a passive act; it’s a nod of understanding, an expression of empathy that amplifies rather than overshadows your thoughts.

This form of companionship, marked by subtlety and respect, fosters a deep sense of trust and understanding. These elements are invaluable when navigating the intricate terrain of a mental health crisis, where every step can feel like a delicate dance between vulnerability and healing.

In the tapestry of navigating a mental health crisis, the significance of having a silent anchor, a supportive presence that is gentle, understanding, and respectful, cannot be overstated. While breakdowns may not always offer immediate solutions, the power lies in the quiet companionship of those who care. It’s a delicate dance between vulnerability and healing, where meaningful gestures and empathetic listening create a haven for exploration. In these moments, the subtle art of being there without overwhelming provides a lifeline, fostering trust and understanding. Ultimately, it’s the harmonious interplay of support and personal space that guides one through the complexities of mental health challenges, illuminating a path toward solace and resilience.

October awareness

October was a month to remember as Run Boy Run Productions of CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia had projects running in not one but two parts of Pennsylvania but also how both projects stand tall to be about social issues within communities of today and that is domestic violence and abuse.

Starting off with Boomerang as it previewed works from the performance piece at the Koresh Dance Showcase. With a story that has never been told, Boomerang is one to bring focus to how children are affected by abuse of in a family specifically African American male as it can often be something that molds them in belief that these actions are how you are suppose to be or want to treat someone even into adulthood. Truth is this story is not limiting and is real in many communities and whit every piece as they unfold many will watch and see someone in this maybe even themselves and understand the need of raising a family under a positive roof can be the true focus for a positive youth.

Our other play Mississippi Smiles has been making a move since its birth from paper a year ago. With a focus on domestic violence and abuse as it effects women that transition from heterosexual to the lgbtq community it brings a big focus as to how it’s often about what baggage we choose to keep in our lives then recognizing how to heal first.

With an all star cast and director to match, Mississippi Smiles was a sold out show and had many wanting more. The understanding of domestic violence and abuse awareness is to see that it’s effects can be felt in many ways, shapes and forms and for us we are glad to bring stories to life that generate not just thought but conversation.

Boomerang Beginnings


This weekend was a new beginning that I must say I was overjoyed with. A few weeks ago in my emails I sent an opportunity to work on a creation in one of the best places I have seen artistry FringeArts on Delaware Ave. now as a back story goes I didn't hesitate to fill out the application and a few weeks later we got an email back congratulating us for being apart of Camp Fringe.
Now how does Boomerang fit into this well that's the easy part. In 2015 I knew I wanted to perform at this venue but I also knew the works that we would have to bring g would have to truly be different and outside the box of any creation we have ever and would ever do. I told Hendi about the idea and story of two kids stories and how they both came from abusive up bringing but the real test would be how they turn out as adults. Hendi liked the idea and the day I talked to him about it I finished the first piece while riding home on the train that night.

So here we are two years later and the opportunity and moment came were we are about to present our project. I stood up in front of the crowd looked out and immediately when I look at them I smile. To me crowns on the symbolism of my happiness because not all honesty I still can't believe that you to watch something that I'm doing. So I address them tell them who I am what I represent in our story and then we let it begin. And from the door watching this was beautiful seeing the toxic movement of how love can be damaging.

Each piece came to life allowed the performers to Paul at parts of themselves that they didn't even know exist showing the pain that each child went through as well as how from such pain they can be light at the end. For us this ending with a new beginning and also wake up call that there was so much more we had to do as ours we are now about to go into the studio and work on the rest of the show and I must say we are all looking forward to see what boomerangs bring.

It Begins 

  The cast made it down after a long haul 4hrs drive in a van and Nic in a car but they made it. I really wanted to get them settled in but because of time we had to get ready for the show. Everyone flipped around flopped around but changed into characters as fast as they got here and it was showtime.

  
The crowd was thin but this was with the right people to get more out. With journalist, photographs,vlogers and blogers on hand all this meant was Friday was going to be the turn up show. In the end all that came enjoyed and event shed tears. Last words said I can’t wait to see this again. Let’s get ready people more to come..

  

A Womans Rythm 

In a place that was once the Women’s Kensington Hospital the ancestry of women speak. Drum like a lady Latrice and Jamillah allowed the sounds of the drum to bring in the spirits as the crowd couldn’t help but participate as the heard the drum of the mothers like it was the heart beat of our beginning of rhythm. Showing us rhythm through beat boxing bring the people together through life of rhythm.  

But song can be created through woven rhythm as well as Lynda Grace shows in her she utilizes fiber woven vessels to create a medium ancestry speaking from a past life of mothers wombs to life’s moments of meeting individuals from scrap metal collectors to the black lives matters experience. Beginning from the grandmother showing her and watching her knit, her knitting was a form of community seeing that words can build a shield.
 
Although they have meet in conjunction with this project the art that speaks through Lynda’s has has extended into the photography of Sheenas.

Sheena Garcia speaks through pictures with stories ranging from single mothers protecting their sons and seeing the need to hold on to a sons life with a black and white imagery that leaves you understanding why these lives matter. 
  
The owner of this building Betsey Casanas maybe short in stature but her calling as an artist speaks to a higher level as she opens the doorway into her culture with demential artistry that looks as alive as the the cock story tale that began the piece.  Engulfed in enjoyment roots energy and culture the people came in the building getting a story fluid with diversity but in the end containing a wholeness that only these women could spin.

The Dancer soars 

  In every moment we often have to take steps that speak to us years to the day of actual doing. The stage was set black light no sound no movement but we stood in a booth awaiting words to begin the tunes. Jody and I looked at each other then she said play it. The track came on and a voice spoke. Out from the darkness walked a young lady tall thin but strong in stance. 

 
The story had begun with a journey of engagement streaming between childhood to adulthood. She spoke of her times wanting to be free and in those moments the freedom was noticeable through leaps and bounds of a younger version in a tutu prancing with fun bringing life to the eyes that watched until they found moments within the story to tear. 

  
In the mist of this we began to feel our own spiritual movement understand that this story has more than one meaning. In the end many say this as a gospel of not just a dancers life but all as the music and dim lights came outpouring cheers filled the room and three generations of one took a bow Justine understood that this wasn’t the dancers last dance…

Sisters United

If you didn’t know runboyrunprod is involved in everything. Last night was about the stage play #mysisterskeeper part of the #thinkcreateinspire festival with director writer Jody ‘Tru Story’ Austin assistant directors Tiffani Dean and Antoine K D Stroman. With an all woman cast covering powerful and emotional subjects, these women proved that #poetictheater is here to stay.
  
For Jody this was a dream come true as she took the moments of pain noticed in all women’s lives and made it a journey of sisterhood that could not be denied. 

  
 
Covering matters of mental, physical and emotional abuse, self perseverance, body images, social awareness, equal rights and many more this play has answered the called that women have been waiting for and is the beginning of a journey that will go beyond the stage. 

  
Take a bow ladies for the night is yours and the road has just begun.

The Face

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To be a good actor you have to be something like a criminal, to be willing to break the rules to strive for something new.

“Nicolas Cage”

Join Andrew Chupa in his stage debut in “Redemption”

Bringing Andrew in to the cast has been a treat watching him give the role his all and every week bring a new facet to the character. Andrew takes acting serious and it shows as he takes in the process of understanding what the character is going through in a relationship that is tortured by his actions.

 

An Artist Worth

  
When you have talent it is often others that recognize it. We usually never see the creative marks we instill within our work our craft or how we surround ourselves around those that help build the character we have become. 

  
But then comes that day when you realize that you are a talent a gift and you can do it that the fear that stopped you now becomes the motivation behind the force that will allow you to grow and see you are worth more then even you imagined as the talent shines brightly.

The Art of Telling a Story 

  
There is a place of understanding when it comes to writing and Kash has shown that when it’s in honesty people will come out to see it. Over the weekend I had the honor of taking in Mr. Goins play VtoX with an ensemble cast that showed they have what it takes to bring characters to life this show about the many faces that are placed into the judicial system all connect in someway as we learn that this is and always will be big business. What audience, this was definitely worth as wild as it was shown in and interactive state allowing them to be part of the action and with in the breath of the play for many it is probably ring true to home with stories surrounding rape molestation wrongful incarceration abuse and again business. These stories were made to make you cry make you laugh and more than anything make you think to wear as you only can see one thing and that is the truth within the story.