A Carabiner (ker-ə-ˈbē-nər). Even if you don’t know it by name, you likely recognize it by sight. The carabiner is as essential to rock climbing, as mental health is to our health.
For these reasons, and more, it was fitting to choose the carabiner to link-up with a new mental health movement, Co-Founded by Bear’s Restaurant Group and the Jordan Porco Foundation, Linked 4 Life.
“We chose a carabiner because it represents safety and security. With each carabiner we add to our chain, our chain becomes stronger. We become stronger. When we link our carabiners together and take the pledge, we are symbolically linking together to support each other’s mental health, reinforcing that we are safe spaces for open and honest conversations about our feelings. An important visual reminder that we are connected in hope,” said Cheryl Antoncic, Co-Owner, Bear’s Restaurant Group.
Linked 4 Life’s mission is to link together one pledge, one person, one carabiner at a time, inviting people to speak openly about mental health issues while encouraging listening without judgement, to create safe spaces across the country, connecting with a message of hope to those who need help the most.
The Linked 4 Life carabiner is a visual reminder of someone always having your back, and that’s reassurance people need, especially during this pandemic that’s creating a tremendous amount of stress, heightened feelings of isolation, disconnect, and more difficulties. I invite you to join the movement with All Things Art CT -- as we support their Art for Hope project.
The Linked 4 Life team has partnered with CT Murals, and Born&Bred Studios to develop a series of art installations to raise awareness about Mental Health and the support that is available to individuals. The art will consist of one large sculpture and three murals that are 5ft x 5ft. The artwork will be painted by three local artists--Lindaluz Carrillo, Corey Pane and Deka Henry-- and placed around the City of Hartford to shine light for individuals to know they are not alone.
To bring awareness to this vital issue and support this public art installation, All Things Art will have limited edition Tote Bags available for purchase. A donation will be made to Linked 4 Life for each bag purchased, and a carabiner will be provided for the large art sculpture.
With September being National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, I felt compelled to engage our community in having these important conversations by supporting Linked 4 Life.
Thank you for your support.
Linked 4 Life proceeds support the Jordan Porco Foundation’s suicide prevention programs and help keep the chain of hope going, connecting people to vital resources. Learn more at linkedforlife.org.