When one local high school student was undergoing chemotherapy, she felt powerless and isolated, she said. At times, she was hospitalized for a couple days during treatment, causing her to lose her sense of control.
In the “Wish You Knew” podcast by the Friendship Circle of Wisconsin, she said that going through treatment showed her that “friendship is magic.”
The podcast is produced by the Friendship Circle Wisconsin, a non–profit organization with Lubavitch of Wisconsin. On Nov. 17, the organization will host a version that’s live and in person, an event called “One Thing I Wish You Knew,” where teenagers can share their personal challenges and experiences with mental health. It will take place from 4-5:45 p.m at the Marquette Alumni Memorial Union Monaghan Ballroom. Reserve a spot at WishuKnew.org. Attendees can park for free at the 16th Street Parking Structure, 749 N. 16th St.
For this event, Friendship Circle is partnering with REDgen, a youth mental health advocacy organization.
The event will begin with a talk from Spectrum News meteorologist Brooke Brighton, followed by a social media influencer and mental health advocate. Then, four students will share their stories for about four minutes each, followed by a Q&A. There will also be a mental health fair, where nonprofits in the mental health space will set up booths.
“We will have all the resources right there,” said Levi Stein, executive director of Friendship Circle. “If anyone’s inspired to get help, they don’t have to go far. There’s help right there in the hall.”
Last year, the event drew 500 people, according to Stein.
“We got a lot of feedback from teens,” Stein said. “If you interview those teen speakers today, they will all say that sharing their story was a significant piece of their journey, and it helped them move forward in ways that other processes can take much longer.”
The podcast and fighting stigma
The “Wish You Knew” podcast provides an opportunity for teenagers to share their story if they are not comfortable with speaking to a live audience, Stein said. He also emphasized the importance of publicly discussing mental health because the “stigma around mental health” remains “strong.”
“Having people come out and share their story publicly is directly targeting that stigma,” Stein said. “We want to share the story, show that they’re strong for sharing their story and [that] they’ve built a tremendous support system because they’re able to share their story.”
Though the event is for all, Stein said he personally reached out to people who work in healthcare or government to attend the event.
Stein said: “I specifically invite all the decision makers in the behavioral health community, whether that be elected officials or behavioral health [officials] in hospitals and nonprofits, to be able to witness and see what’s out there.”
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“One Thing I Wish You Knew”
When: 4-5:45 p.m., Nov. 17
Where: Marquette Alumni Memorial Union Monaghan Ballroom, 1442 West Wisconsin Avenue
Cost: Free.
Parking: Free at the 16th Street Parking Center.
RSVP: WishuKnew.org
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Read more
For more about this initiative, see story, “The mission: Help others”
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