By Lisa Carolin
There’s a Suicide Prevention Benefit Concert at Ann Arbor’s Kerrytown Concert House Monday, Oct. 29, with a direct link to teens in Chelsea.
The concert will benefit the Eventually Group, which is made up of 13-18 year olds, many of whom are from Chelsea.
Frederik van Reesema is the founder, and he organizes group events under its board’s leadership and youth members’ guidance. The group was formally recognized as a 501(C)(3)tax-exempt nonprofit this past spring.
“The Eventually Group began as a free support group for students struggling with self-harm and suicidal thinking,” explained van Reesema, who says although the group was founded by Chelsea School District students along with adult community members, it is not affiliated with the school district.
“In November 2017, the group changed focus from primarily supporting its members to promoting widespread awareness of the impact that mental health has on teens and young people,” he said.
The Eventually Group’s goal is to end the silence surrounding self-harm and suicide. It has 14 active members, and they meet once a week after school at the Chelsea District Library.
“The Eventually Group operates as a therapeutic environment for the youth involved by promoting mindful action and radical acceptance as means to purposeful living,” said van Reesema. “It’s about the power youth have to change their community and the world around them.”
(Members of the Eventually Group asked that only their first names be given.)
“The purpose of Eventually Group is to give kids who might be struggling with mental health issues a healthy way to help others who might be going through the same thing,” said Eli, 14.
“I was in a bad place and it helped me to get better by helping other people get better. If there was one thing I could say to a struggling teen it’d be that it really does get better. I know that’s cheesy and stuff but it’s true. One day it will get better; you just have to be there to see it,” he said.
“It’s not worth completing suicide; Too many people love you,” said Nathan.
“The Eventually Group is important because it shows kids that there’s life beyond pain and things can get better,” said Adrienne, 15.
“The group helps spread awareness about suicide and depression. It gives teenagers a positive outlet to help their peers who suffer with similar mental illnesses as them with weekly check-in’s, charity events, and field trips,” she said.
Anyone interest in learning more about the Eventually Group can contact van Reesema at [email protected].
Proceeds from the benefit concert will go toward continuing the group’s programming, and van Reesema also hopes to be able to make a donation to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
The concert will feature Zach Adkins and Lauren Chapman, and tickets for the Broadway Benefit Concert for Suicide Prevention can be purchased by going to www.eventuallygroup.org.
Thank you, Freddie, for doing this for these people in Chelsea. Keep up the great work and I hope this concert helps to bring further awareness.