semi;colon: Storytelling for the Brave

Join us for an evening of inspiring stories and art at semi;colon: Storytelling for the Brave, on September 7th, 2023, at The Victor Jory, Actors Theatre of Louisville. Doors open at 5:30 PM, and the program will start at 6:30 PM.

The semicolon represents a pause, a choice to continue the sentence instead of ending it. It’s a symbol of resilience, a reminder that your story isn’t over. This year during National Suicide Prevention Month in September, we will come together at semi;colon to celebrate courage, resilience, and transformation through sharing stories about mental health and suicide to make a significant impact.

Hear firsthand from storytellers their experiences of strength and hope on topics ranging from reaching out for help, post-partum depression, validating yourself, and more, all within an environment of compassion, support, and awareness.

Some of the storytellers joining us include:

• Mera Cossey Corlett has been a chaplain at Central State Hospital for more than 20 years. Mera journeyed alongside those navigating the waters of serious mental illness and addiction. Now, as a local pastor, she extends that work as a preacher, teacher, and author, calling others to seek justice, embrace compassion, and demonstrate humility.
• Chris Gilland is a dedicated maintenance professional at the Men’s Healing Place. He chairs meetings, offers guidance as a sponsor to fellow men, and delivers insightful talks upon request.
• Elliott Kelly works for Fund For The Arts and is a public speaker, youth mentor, and wrestling coach. He indulges in art as a poet, musician, and photographer in his spare time.
• Eric Sharp is a licensed marriage and family therapist at Best Life Louisville, specializing in LGBTQ+ identity/authenticity, religious trauma, spiritual formation, and family conflict. You can find Eric playing about in the community when he is not in session. Eric recently co-wrote and directed “Anita Do-Over” starring ‘May O’Nays’, a one “woman” drag show.
• Jessica Craven works for Seven Counties Services, managing a residential center for men in recovery. She currently sits on the Board of the Kentucky Association of Systemic Therapists, balancing being a mother to eight and ‘grammy’ to one.

Funds raised through semi;colon support the local 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, operated by Seven Counties Services. 988 is a US-based suicide prevention network where professional crisis counselors provide supportive counseling, suicide assessment, prevention, and intervention over the phone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It gives community members a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental place to seek help whenever needed and is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. All services are free and confidential, and callers can remain anonymous if they desire. Since its launch last year, the 988 Lifeline has seen a significant 25% increase in calls, highlighting its urgent importance.

Join us in embracing the semicolon’s power. Take a moment to pause, persevere, and discover hope: RSVP for semi;colon: Storytelling for the Brave.