By Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine Staff
Images courtesy of Find Your Anchor

A grassroots movement called Find Your Anchor (FYA) is making waves in the realm of suicide prevention, awareness, and education. Born out of a deep desire to save lives and spread hope, FYA harnesses the power of creativity, small acts of kindness, and community to create meaningful change. But what exactly is Find Your Anchor, and how is it making such a profound impact?

What is Find Your Anchor?

At its core, Find Your Anchor is about creating connections and fostering support for those who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide. The movement revolves around the concept of an “anchor” – a dependable, stable, secure base that keeps you grounded through life’s storms. The goal isn’t for FYA to be the sole anchor, but rather to cultivate a community of anchors through the distribution of their signature blue boxes.

These blue boxes are packed with a variety of materials designed to inspire, soothe, and offer support. Inside, you’ll find a 52+ Reasons to Live deck of cards, an infographic on depression, a list of resources, a letter from a stranger who cares, posters, a bracelet, a mixtape full of uplifting music, stickers, and other thoughtful items. Each box is crafted with love and intention, aiming to provide tangible resources that can make a real difference in someone’s life.

How Did Find Your Anchor Begin?

The inception of Find Your Anchor is deeply personal. Founder Ali Borowsky created FYA in response to many mental health organizations’ often sterile and impersonal approach. During her darkest moments, Ali didn’t want a clinical brochure with a phone number, she craved connection and wanted to feel seen. She believed that if she could create something that showed people that a stranger cares, it might help them believe that their friends and family care, too.

This vision led to the creation of the first Find Your Anchor boxes, which Ali designed to feel like a gift from a friend. Over time, these boxes have spread across the country, each one a testament to the power of community and human connection.

What’s Inside a Find Your Anchor Box?

Each blue box is a treasure trove of support and inspiration. The contents are carefully curated to offer comfort and hope, and include:

• 52+ Reasons to Live deck of cards: A reminder of the countless reasons to keep going.
• Infographic on depression: Educational material to understand and manage depression.
• List of resources: Contact information for professional help.
• Letter from a stranger: A heartfelt note from someone who cares.
• Posters, bracelet, mixtape, stickers, and more: Various items to uplift and encourage.

These boxes are not only distributed in public spaces like libraries and coffee shops but can also be requested by individuals in need or by those who know someone struggling. Schools, nonprofits, and corporations also partner with FYA to launch boxes into their local communities, ensuring that support reaches as many people as possible.

Why is Suicide Prevention So Important?

Suicide is a critical issue in our society. In 2022 alone, the United States lost 45,979 people to suicide, with an estimated 1.2 million attempts. These numbers are staggering and highlight the urgent need for effective prevention strategies.

Some eye-opening statistics include:

• Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death for Americans.
• It is the 3rd leading cause of death for Americans aged 15-24.
• Males die by suicide four times as often as females, yet there are three female attempts for every male attempt.

These figures underscore the importance of initiatives like Find Your Anchor. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to suicide prevention, every small act of kindness, every supportive gesture, and every blue box launched into the world can make a difference.

How Can You Get Involved?

Find Your Anchor thrives on community support. Whether you’re interested in requesting a box, donating, or partnering with FYA, there are many ways to get involved. Each contribution helps spread the message that there is hope, help, and an alternative to suicide.

For more information, you can reach out via email at [email protected], follow on Instagram @findyouranchorbox, or connect on Facebook at facebook.com/findyouranchor.

Find Your Anchor is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization registered in Chicago and Southern California. Join the movement and help create a community of anchors dedicated to saving lives and spreading hope.

This article was originally published in the 52 issue of Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine, and can be read in its original format here.