Project Blackbird is a nonprofit and live touring event coming to Wright State University for a free event open to students and the community on March 19 to encourage conversations around the crises and stigma surrounding mental illness.
Among other topics, Project Blackbird will address eating disorders within underrepresented communities nationwide, kicking off the event with a film Miles created centered on eating disorders.
“The organization actually started from the film,” Miles said. “I was an actor and a filmmaker, and I created a film that was about a young woman who I, personally, had met at an eating disorder treatment center.”
The woman’s name is Kendra Williams, who is also set to be at the March 19 event at Wright State University.
“We called her Blackbird because she had a tattoo of a blackbird on her neck and she barely spoke with anybody. She was very silent, which was her way of disconnecting from her own pain,” Miles said.
The film focuses on the connection formed between Williams' character and the character based on Miles.
Sharing the film then became a way to connect with others and to destigmatize discussions around mental health, Miles said.
“Their bond actually highlights pervasive feelings of shame and silence surrounding mental health discussions,” said Barbara Marsh, director of counseling and wellness services at Wright State University.
“It motivated them to share their story and encourage an open dialogue around mental health,” Marsh said.
The March 19 event will include a viewing of the film, a panel discussion lead by Dayton Daily News' editor of investigations Josh Sweigart, and a resource fair where students and others can find help if they need it.
Project Blackbird will also connect students to free therapy, Miles said.
“Project Blackbird pays for a full year of therapy for all of our student audiences and we do so through our partnership with Talkspace,” Miles said. Talkspace is an online therapy provider based in New York.
Project Blackbird will be held at 4:30 p.m. on March 19 in the auditorium at Wright State University’s Student Success Center, located at 3640 Colonel Glen Highway, Dayton.
For more information or to register for the free event, visit projectblackbirdinc.org/tour/ or search for the event on EventBrite.com.
This event is open to all community members and university students. It is sponsored by Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services and Wright State University Counseling and Wellness Services.
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