Words of Hope 4 Life

Words of Hope 4 Life is a mental health ACTION organization! Our signature event “Viewfest” is revolutionizing the way mental health is integrated into communities. 

Viewfest is a revolutionary "event based" approach to mental wellness education, coping/resiliency skill development and community connection opportunities. Curated by leaders in child psychology, fashion, music, education and parenting.

Viewfest is packaged and branded as an "on-tour" festival experience with a mental health twist that specifically addresses the challenges of stress, anxiety, depression, and suicide.

  Protective factors against childhood mental health illness, abuse & neglect as identified by the U.S. Department of Health & Humans Services and more specifically, the Children's Bureau/ Child Welfare Information Gateway, provide the framework for the programming we provide at a Viewfest event.The Viewfest program experience offers attendees a non-traditional opportunity to develop mental wellness and coping skills through fun activities, connecting with supportive community partners/organizations and easy access to mental health referrals within the community in a new, more approachable way.   We deliver psychologist curated activities and experiences through an "on-tour" mental health festival. Each activity at the festival is specifically designed to help strengthen an aspect of mental health. For example, a virtual reality headset experience utilizing a game that specifically helps build mindfulness skills, physical activities that maintain an elevated heart rate for a minimum of 10 minutes (which participants learn is all it takes to help jump start the dopamine in the brain!). In addition to being able to explore mental wellness through these fun activities, Viewfest also collaborates with the local community coalitions, chamber of commerce, school systems, local government, and other youth serving organizations to bring the "best of the best" together to participate in and showcase the important resources they have to offer. When done in an engaging, non-intimidating, and entertaining way- event attendees become more open to making connections, and ultimately accessing and reaching out for help.  

Ultimately, the Viewfest experience would be available to all counties in Michigan... and beyond! Being able to scale our current program would allow us to serve the 5,428,000 people living in southeast Michigan and more specifically, the approximately 25%+ of that population, which is our target demographic, aged 0-25.  The future of mental health care must integrate childhood protective measures, skill building opportunities and community connection. Furthermore, it must be delivered in a way that is not only effective but also fun and engaging.  Adaptable to incorporate elements of pop-culture throughout time, the Viewfest concept has the ability to evolve and serve as a large-scale preventative service offered to communities- ultimately creating emotionally health, supported and thriving future generations.