By Jessica Anstice
Fashion stylist Jenna Bliss is determined to make a difference in the world.
The Beaconsfield Upper creative has single-handedly organised a non-profit fundraiser with an aim to promote awareness of mental health and suicide prevention amongst youth.
“Growing up within this community, suicide and mental health is way too common,” she said.
“Last October, my family and I lost someone close to suicide. This came as an unexpected shock and I personally didn’t know how to cope or grasp the idea they were gone.
“As a stylist I wanted to actually do something and stop losing people around me.”
Teaming up with ReachOut, an online mental health service organisation that helps young people and parents, Ms Bliss will host an event on 21 March to spread her story and share her knowledge with the community.
The event, to be held at Chadstone Vicinity Centres, will welcome ambassadors from ReachOut to speak about the organisation and how it has an ability to benefit youth.
Creatively using her surname, she has called the event Think Bliss to spread the idea of always thinking happing thoughts.
Before the idea of a fundraising event sparked, Ms Bliss started a mental health campaign by conducting photoshoots to generate images representing mental health.
“So far I have completed two of four images. My next shoot is on 7 March and I am editing the other,” she explained.
“Each shoot represents a different idea of what mental health looks like and how it affects people in different ways.”
“Mental health is a problem that is talked about more, but for creatives like me, enough still hasn’t been done.”
To raise money, there will be a $35 entry fee to Think Bliss, as well as a raffle and silent action.
