Find Your Anchor
PROGRAMS
Find Your Anchor boxes
More money in this budget = more boxes = more people reached At the heart of Find Your Anchor’s mission is a small blue box. Once referred to as a “mental health first aid kit,” each box is packed with good vibes and materials designed to inspire, soothe, and offer support. This includes a “52+ Reasons to Live” deck of cards, an infographic on depression, a list of resources, posters, stickers, a bracelet, and a letter. The boxes are intended to be organic in the sense that each person can add their own anchors and inspiration to the box before passing it along. Our boxes are in over 40 different countries and have been personally requested by thousands of people.
I can give you a whole bunch of data, but these testimonials say it all for me:
- “Find Your Anchor really stands out in its extremely personal connections it creates and its strong network of individuals who know that depression doesn’t have to be fought alone.” (Born This Way Foundation)
- “I just wanted to let you know that I received one of your boxes from a dear friend of mine a few weeks ago. I thought about killing myself that day and when I got the box, I completely second guessed it. I’m now seeking help and getting the help I need. Thank you so much.”
- “Yesterday, I opened my mailbox and found a package in there from you. From the deep, depths of my heart, I thank you. You've saved a life.”
- “I lost my oldest son to mental illness that resulted in suicide. Thank you for this tangible way to spread the message about suicide and preventing others from going through what our family has.” (Mother)
- "As I discovered this box today, I felt an overwhelming sense of comfort in knowing that someone cares, even if it may be a stranger that cares. Finding this box has touched my heart. If I could thank you an infinite amount of times I would."
- "This is a great addition to my therapy groups. I work primarily with female survivors of military sexual trauma and see huge benefits in passing the box among the group." (Social Worker)
- “I just wanted to let you know that you saved a life today.” (Student)
FYA Box Building Workshop
Our workshops are designed to empower and educate individuals on the meaning, importance, and utility of anchors. During the workshop, participants will learn about anchors, suicide awareness and prevention, and the vital role of the stranger who cares. There is no prior training necessary - we equip everyone with the materials needed! During the workshops, participants actively help grow this grassroots suicide prevention community by building their own FYA boxes. These boxes are creatively and thoughtfully designed to offer hope and support - while also encouraging individuals to add their own anchors to them. At the end of the workshop, each participant will leave with a box - a tangible way to pass along hope and help those who are struggling.
Workshop Objectives:
- Begin to identify the impact of suicide across our community
- Learn what anchors are, how to use anchors, and also begin to build your own anchors
- Learn how to grow and contribute to the community of anchors
Please Stay Pledge
In collaboration with Lady Gaga's Born This Way foundation, Find Your Anchor has created the Please Stay pledge. In its simplest form, the Please Stay pledge is a pledge to stay. Its digital form can be found at pleasestay.us and a physical form can be found in every single Find Your Anchor box launched into the world. In addition to the pledge itself, we also include self-care tips, soul-filling acts, and resources. Our goal is to encourage individuals to join the growing community of individuals who have promised to stay. We have promoted the Please Stay pledge with billboards in places such as Times Square, the Vegas Strip, and other billboards across the country.
Our main goal is to grow the number of individuals who have signed the pledge, while also providing resources and guidance to help individuals struggling. We monitor all of this through website analytics, pledge tracking, and most importantly, the testimonials we receive from individuals who have been helped by this initiative.
Currently, nearly 20,000 Please Stay pledges have been launched into the world.
CONTACT
Find Your Anchor
1050 Calle Cordillera
Unit 104
San Clemente, CA 92673