"You Are Loved" Event Focuses on Mental Health Education and Resources

UTA Libraries wants the campus community to know it is OK to reach out for help when they are struggling through the mental health event You Are Loved from Noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21.  

The You Are Loved event provides people with information and resources to help them with their mental health issues. 

The event is in partnership with the nonprofit “You Are Loved,” which works to provide support to people who are facing mental health issues in their lives. 

Founded by former professional wrestler Aaron Machbitz, known to fans as Jaxon Stone, after his sister took her own life in 2018. It has been Aaron's mission to help people in these difficult moments.  

"While grieving the loss of someone I loved so much, I learned to appreciate the love around me. This helped me get up every day and keep moving – the idea that I was important, I was strong and I was loved," Aaron wrote on the nonprofit's website. "And since it helped me so much, I wanted to ensure others benefited from the same feelings and realizations." 

Aaron wrote on the website that reaching out to people started with a T-shirt with the phrase "You Are Loved" printed on it. The shirt sparked conversations with people, recognizing their struggles and letting them know how important and loved they are.  

Milaun Murry, an Experiential Learning librarian, stated students would hear from Aaron, who will speak about the importance of mental health and share his story.  

"He provides some great mindfulness tools, and he leads them through a guided meditation about self-love," Milaun said. "He provides a couple of different local resources to help them." 

Milaun stated that the resources highlighted at the event are not a replacement for counseling or therapy; they complement it. She encourages students to reach out to mental health professionals before reaching a crisis point.  

People facing a crisis and needing a professional's immediate help are encouraged to call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. When people call, text or chat by dialing 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems affect them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.  

The “You Are Loved” event will take place at Noon Wednesday, Sept. 21, in the Studios classroom on the first floor of the Central Library. The event is free to attend. No registration is required. For more information about the nonprofit, You Are Loved, go to https://youarelovedlife.com.