Dear Friends,
One year after the loss of our daughter, Rebecca, to suicide – the Rebecca Lynn Cutler Legacy of Life Foundation (Rebecca’s Dream) was established by her family and Susan and Dr. Harlan Haimes (in memoriam).
Our desire and motivation was to fulfill Rebecca’s dream to educate children, teens, young adults, families, mental health and public health leaders that mental illness was, and too often remains, misunderstood.
Rebecca was passionate about promoting compassionate understanding and awareness of depression and bipolar disorder as real diseases ~ still our mission and vision fifteen years later.
She would be proud to know how effective and strong Rebecca’s Dream has become while advancing the way mental health issues are better understood and discussed with new respect and compassion.
Thanks to a growing circle of supporters Rebecca’s Dream is CHANGING THE FACE OF DEPRESSION by changing behaviors and attitudes of individuals, families, communities and society at large.
Your partnership and generosity have allowed Rebecca’s Dream to fight the good fight for this vitally important mission. We ask you to continue partnering with us as we begin the next fifteen years.
Help us prevent other families from experiencing the profound loss we have endured.
Our gratitude is heartfelt and deeply appreciated.
Wishing you and your loved ones all of life’s blessings in the New Year and beyond.
Warmly,
Gail and Norm
Co-Founders
Rebecca’s Dream
Upcoming Events
“Just because you don’t understand it doesn’t mean it isn’t so.”
-Lemony Snicket
The Blank Book
Rebecca’s Dream Educates the Community
Talkbacks
Pictured: Nikki Lynette with cast, director, producer, crew and Rebecca’s Dream representatives
Get Out Alive featuring Nikki Lynette at Steppenwolf Theater
To read about the show visit: https://www.chicagostagestandard.com/home/2020/2/5/nikki-lynettes-get-out-alive-steppenwolf-theatre
Education Projects/Partnerships
MLK Day of Service
The Rotary Club of Highland Park/Highwood partnered with Rebecca’s Dream at MLK Service Days. Hundreds of students and parents created book marks with inspirational sayings for Evanston’s Haven Middle School students. The book marks will accompany RD’s “It’s All In Your Head” book on mental illness. Mental Illness #itsreal.
Service Project Day
Rebecca’s Dream partnered with Congregation B’nai Tikvah educating tweens and parents to recognize mental health coping strategies by creating book marks with calming techniques and activities.
“IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD”
‘’IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD” contains information about: ADHD, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, stigma, symptoms and ways to cope.
Author and illustrator Marlee F. Is a teen living successfully with depression. As Marlee struggled to understand her thoughts, feelings and moods she created “IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD.” Marlee’s passion became helping teens easily understand they are not alone during difficult mental health challenges ~ help she wishes she had during her early years of confusion and shame.
Mental disorders don’t discriminate.
One in five teens are affected by some form of disorder severe enough to impact their daily lives.
However, with professional help and self-care most teens feel better within 4-6 weeks.
Tips & Tools
When you have depression, you can find ways to take control of your life and manage your treatment even beyond medications. Making some lifestyle changes can boost your mood and help alleviate many of your symptoms, including low self-esteem. “Minimizing stress as much as possible is a good idea when you’re depressed, especially unnecessary or avoidable stressors that people can be pulled into when they’re depressed,” says Erik Nelson, MD, a psychiatrist and assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Ohio.
Try these strategies to manage the symptoms of depression, promote positive thinking, alleviate stress, and boost your self-esteem.
Source: Everyday Health
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