During depression the world disappears. Language itself. One has nothing to say. Nothing. Kristin experienced this misery, yet still managed to touch many lives and even in death continues to help others find help for their depression.
The Kristin Brooks Hope Center was created to help those in crisis find help and hope immediately. The site and her story gives you a raw, personal glimpse into depression, and how it affects those around you. In addition, you will find the only clear, step-by-step path for you to follow out of the darkness. There is hope and you can feel happy again! If you need to speak with someone right now call: 1.800.442.HOPE (1.800.442.4673)
Huge thanks to iFred.org for inspiring us to grow this field, to Terry Ober of Safety Programs for tilling the land, and to Boy Scout Troop 495 for helping us tend to the field.
Even severe Maryland drought can't stop this field from blooming!
Why we are growing the Sunflower Field For Hope
Sunflowers grow towards sunlight. Often, in depression episodes, the natural instinct is to hide in darkness and despair. We need to learn how to fight that instinct, so instead individuals work to find their own personal sunlight, grow upwards, and outwards to heal. Therapy? Painting? Yoga? Spirituality? Singing? Animals? Medications? Encourage depression survivors to explore their own inner being, find that one ray of light, and grow towards it.
2nd Annual IMAlive Network Training Conference
Recent OCSIS (Online Counselling and Suicide Intervention Specialist) Graduates, attendees of the 2nd Annual IMAlive Network Training Conference in Baltimore MD, gathered together after the 10th Annual KBHC Awards Banquet
On APRIL 12th, 2011 Kristin Brooks Hope Center, To Write Love On Her Arms and PostSecret officially launched the world's first ever Virtual Crisis Center called IMAlive.org
2011 saw the launch of the movie ‘The Beaver' starring Mel Gibson and Jodi Foster. The movie raised over $50,000 in support of Imalive.org and hundreds of new volunteers.
Our COLLEGE SUICIDE PREVENTION TOUR
In 2011 Kristin Brooks Hope Center team traveled to twenty-one Universities and Colleges to put on the Alive! Mental Health Fair
Cadets from the Class of 2011 of the US Coast Guard Academy developed and launched a Social Networking support site for 877-VET2VET.
Our MUSIC OUTREACH TOUR
Michael Jackson's eldest sister Rebbie headlined our 3rd Suicide Prevention PICK UP THE PHONE TOUR.
Rebbie Jackson, Yashi Brown and the Founder of 1-800-SUICIDE H. Reese Butler II also keynoted the 2011 South Carolina Annual Suicide Prevention Conference
Annual Events
On September 10th we held our 8th Annual Capitol Hill Press Event this year was also the 2nd Annual Veterans Suicide Prevention Day.
That night we launched the 1st Annual Global Night of Hope with iFred, Serendipity and 9 other Veteran Service Organizations
The 2nd Annual "Please Don't Jump Day" was a success following the 2010 inaugural event which was declared by the city of San Francisco, and the State of California “Please Don't Jump Day”. To commemorate the 1st and 2nd Annual events we produced a documentary which was edited by Alexander Kavon.
On SEPTEMBER 9th-11th 2011, we held our 1st Annual IMAlive Training Conference to provide more extensive training to the IMAlive Team.
On November 10th the fans and supporters of PostSecret community helped Kristin Brooks Hope Center win five key prizes in the inaugural Razoo Contest
“DC Gives to the Max” contest.
New Products To Educate
Our SUICIDE PREVENTION PLAYING CARDS as a unique and fast way of learning the suicide warning signs was officially launched.
We produced and distributed over 20,000 IMALIVE WRISTBANDS with IMAlive.org and 1-800-SUICIDE hotline on them and they glow in the dark!
We also produced our first IMALIVE T-SHIRT which has on the inside quotes from people in crisis who were helped by chat volunteers.
I want to become an IMAlive Volunteer responder because there is nothing more important to me than helping other people. I feel for other people and have an immense need to make a difference in this world. I have the kindness, empathy, and emotional stability needed to help.
World news: Last U.S. combat team has just left Iraq. Our deepest gratitude goes to the military men and women who have spent months and years defending our homeland. They are finally coming back home.
Sadly, many of the veterans have post-traumatic stress disorder and won't be able to adjust back to civilian life.
If you are a veteran or you know someone who came back from active duty and has trouble with memories and experiences of the war - please call our hotline at
1-877-VET-2-VET (1-877-838-2838).
If you are a veteran, and would like to support your fellow combatants by providing a few hours of online support every month , please email volunteer@hopeline.com . We provide free training and it will help dozens of men and women heal and go back to daily activities with their loved one.
For only 33¢ a day support our hotlines and help train peer to peer veteran volunteers .
Kristin Brooks Hope Center, and its programs:
National Hopeline Network
IMAlive crisis chat
Pick Up The Phone Tour
Alive! Mental Health Fair
and others
are funded solely by individual donors
Please Don't Jump
This postcard says:
I have lived in San Francisco since I was young. I am illegal. I am not wanted here. I don't belong anywhere. This summer I plan to jump off the Golden Gate.