Published by Yarmouth Connected. Author Cavelle Swink.
The Purple House
Every month, Yarmouth Connected looks for a Community Superstar. I’m happy to report, they’re not hard to find. Especially since our next Community Superstar operates out of a purple house.
That’s right, Kelly Mae Mitchell, founder of Aidaen’s Place, is our Community Superstar for the month of February and I’ve been looking forward to telling her story.
I crossed paths with Kelly just over a month ago after taking a leap of faith by responding to her post on Facebook.
Kelly was looking for assistance with writing grant proposals and given the nature of her cause, I wanted to help.
To my surprise, she offered me the opportunity. It was an honor and through that opportunity, I was able to learn new things and form a wonderful connection with Kelly.
The more I talked with her, the more I knew that without a doubt, I was going to be writing about Kelly next.
To say Kelly is a busy super human is an understatement.
When she’s not serving her community she’s also running her own business consulting service, Infuse Consults & Training. She’s also been taking various courses to help further along her calling.
Honestly, I could write a separate article just on that alone but we come together in this one for Aidaen’s Place.
THE PURPLE HOUSE
Aidaen’s Place Youth Wellness Center is a non profit organization that offers wellness peer support for youth ages 11-17.
Inside, you will find great resources such as life skills programs, creativity workshops, games, movie nights, snacks, a library with quiet places to study, and so much more.
Most importantly, you will find a warm, safe and accepting environment filled with amazing volunteers ready to share their gifts.
Kelly has worked hard to grow and maintain her cause. Her motivator? Her daughter. Aidaen.
Although I’m about to go into a heartbreaking story, just know that ultimately, through great pain, great strength can be found and Kelly has managed to find it.
You see, there is no delicate way to put this. Aidaen is no longer with us.
On February 21st, 2019, Aidaen lost her battle with mental illness at the tender age of 14.
It seems unimaginable. This isn’t suppose to happen to our youth, or anyone for that matter, and yet it does.
Everyday.
THE TRUTH ABOUT SUICIDE
On the http://canada.ca website, I was able to find an info graphic regarding Canada’s suicide statistics.
The stats, are alarming…
You’ll notice that suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults 15-34 years old.
The second.
Leading.
Cause.
Let that sink in for a minute…
Needless to say, the loss of Aidaen was (and still is) a devastating loss to our community and without question, Kelly and her family.
Despite this, Kelly has turned her pain into a noble cause worth fighting for and others have rallied behind her, determined to protect our youth.
On a personal note, I feel so grateful and proud to live in a community that has a consistent track record of coming together and lifting others up who have various needs and causes.
With all the negativity we face in this world, it’s imperative we do not lose sight of the positive because it is out there and it’s closer than we might think.
THE REST OF THE STORY
Kelly’s story goes much deeper and she writes about it in more detail. I highly encourage you to read it. Especially if you are a parent right now who is fighting for the mental health of your child.
You are not alone.
On that note, Kelly opens Aidaen’s Place to parents and guardians with the knowledge that it’s equally important that they have a place to reach out for support as well.
IN A PERFECT WORLD
It would be nice if we didn’t need resources like Aidaen’s Place. That being said, I am humbled by Kelly’s undertaking.
The fact is, we do need Aidaen’s Place and we need more people like Kelly.
Our community does in fact have a need and a responsibility to take care of our at risk youth.
I believe all of our youth face a certain degree of risk to their well-being and the need for help is unfortunately not always obvious.
That being said, we do have youth who are facing high risk factors associated with suicide and so to help them, we need to make ourselves familiar with what those risk factors are.
THE RISK FACTORS
- Youth who identify as LGTBQIA+
- Youth of color
- Poverty
- Homelessness
- Parental Abuse/Neglect/Addictions
- Parents who have been incarcerated
- Youth in the foster system
- Substance Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Undiagnosed Mental Illness
- Self Harm
- Previous Suicide Attempts
- Genetics (youth are at much higher risk of developing a mental illness if there is a family history of it)
- School Absence/Social Deprivation/Bullying
Sadly, this list can go on.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
To start, we need to continue to break down the walls of stigma associated with mental illness and suicide. It needs to be an ongoing conversation. One that goes beyond Mental Health Awareness month.
It’s not enough to say we’re going to end the stigma. It’s very easy to say that.
We need to follow through and take an active stance against stigma and there are many actions we can take.
Kelly and her team are actively working with the youth in our community. Listening to them, teaching them, supporting them and guiding them.
But they can’t do it alone.
This is where we as a community can help with things like donations. Not just in the form of money. In the form of donating time. Even if you can only spare an hour. It counts.
Most importantly, spread the word. If you have friends, family or even acquaintances that you know who could use a resource like Aidaen’s Place, tell them about it.
Take a moment to reach out to that person specifically. This seemingly small act can make a big difference in their life whether you realize it or not.
WHERE TO TURN
If you or someone you know are in need of somewhere to turn, know that you can contact Kelly via her Facebook page or website. All you need to do is click on the links below:
Aidaen’s Place Youth Wellness Center Facebook Page
You can also call Aidaen’s Place at: (902) 881-3444
IF YOU ARE FACING AN EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL 9-1-1
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Kelly, it’s been an honor to connect with you and getting to know you. The strength and determination you have is unbelievable. It is my hope that you will continue to inspire our community and shed a light on our youth. In turn, I hope that more people will follow in your footsteps.
To say you deserve the title of Community Superstar is an understatement. You continue to rise above the challenges you face and help others in our community to do the same. Your cause is not in vain, Kelly. Keep going and don’t let anyone or anything stop you. The sky’s the limit and I have no doubt you’ll continue to reach for it and grow. Thank you for all that you do.
On that note, Yarmouth Connected is always looking for the next Community Superstar and so if you would like to nominate someone, I would love to hear from you!
You can reach me on my Facebook page Yarmouth Connected or you can email me at:
RELATED
It’s Showtime CINERGY!January 7, 2022In “Highlights”
Rustic ConfidenceFebruary 1, 2022In “Features”
Cookies Anyone?January 17, 2022In “Features”Author: Yarmouth ConnectedFiled Under: FeaturesTags: Aidaen’s Place. Kelly Mae Mitchell, at risk youth, crisis center, donate, LGTBQIA+, mental health, mental illness, Nova Scotia, statistics, suicide, suicide prevention, volunteer, Yarmout