ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. — Chad Moses from To Write Love on Her Arms will speak at St. Bonaventure University from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, in the Walsh Science Center Auditorium.
Founded in 2006 by Jamie Tworkowski, TWLOHA is a non-profit group dedicated to helping those who suffer from depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicidal tendencies.
The program is free and open to the public, but space is limited. To attend, RSVP to Samantha Kauffman at kauffmsr09@bonaventure.edu. Donations will be gratefully accepted.
TWLOHA began as the simple attempt to tell the story of a friend in need, but quickly grew into an Internet phenomenon. Supported by bands such as Switchfoot, Anberlin and Paramore, TWLOHA spread quickly throughout the music community.
Now, with one of the largest online audiences of any non-profit on Facebook and Twitter, the TWLOHA team has responded to more than 170,000 messages from 100 countries. TWLOHA has also given more than $1 million directly to treatment and recovery. The organization has been featured on “NBC Nightly News,” “CBS Sunday Morning,” MTV and in Rolling Stone magazine.
Most recently, TWLOHA won the $1 million grand prize in the American Giving Awards, presented by Chase.
Moses began working with To Write Love on Her Arms in 2008 with the hopes that his past battles could bring about a positive change in someone else’s life. His college years at the University of Virginia were spent serving the student body as a resident assistant, yet were contrasted by his private struggles with depression, substance abuse and self-injury.
Through the help of caring friends, Moses was able to take steps away from isolation and into supportive community. Since graduating from Virgina, Moses has taken TWLOHA’s message of hope and healing to music venues and schools all across the U.S. and Australia.
Two out of three people with depression do not get help, and the third-leading cause of death among 18- to 24-year-olds is suicide.
Dr. Barbara Trolley, chair of the University’s Disability Committee, said a rising number of college-aged youth are going to school with mental health issues and on prescribed medications. The stressors of college can also trigger or exacerbate underlying mental health conditions, she added.
“It is essential that various avenues of support are available to this age group, and that the stigma associated with having a mental illness continues to be eradicated,” Trolley said.
The event is organized by the St. Bonaventure University Disability Committee, and is co-sponsored by the committee, as well as the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, School of Education, Student Government Association and Wellness Center.
Students wishing to know more about the development of a TWLOHA chapter may contact Kaitlyn Anthony at anthonkc11@bonaventure.edu or Christina D’Onofrio at donofrc11@bonaventure.edu.
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About the University: Inspired for more than 150 years by the Catholic Franciscan values of individual dignity, community inclusiveness, and service, St. Bonaventure University cultivates graduates who are confident and creative communicators, collaborative leaders and team members, and innovative problem solvers who are respectful of themselves, others, and the diverse world around them.