The Spoonful of Sugar Festival

 

 

 The "Spoonful of Sugar Festival" is back in Second Life. This is a fundraiser event to raise money for the Doctors Without Borders charity. Based in Switzerland, the group helps the sick and injured in over 70 countries, notably where conflict and natural disaster have struck.

 

While we do not "earmark" our funds raised for MSF for any specific aspect of what they do, at the Spoonful Of Sugar, we do like to choose an area of their work for our focus and education. While in Tahiti we are looking more at environmental issues and impacts MSF/Doctors Without Borders faces. Please join us at destinations around our planet - which are not only astoundingly beautiful and wealthy, but at the same time devastatingly vulnerable and poor. Lets all learn and understand this connection between environmental imbalance and the illness, safety and resource insecurity facing so many on our planet.

 

The event area covers ten sims. Most are full of  shopping areas with items up for sale with all or part of the money going to the charity. This includes at least one limited edition item on sale only at the Festival. There's also the "Get Crabby Hunt." There are also occasional music parties with DJs (the one I saw was in the southernmost sim). There are also auctions and raffles for giftcards,

 

The scenery was picturesque, with many of the stores set up as island huts. There were also groups of script-controlled islanders dancing and playing music, as if welcoming the attendees. For shoppers, there is a variety of items to get from pets, to furniture, to Halloween goods, to farming game supplies, and more.

 

 For more information, check the event blog at https://www.thesosfestival.com/ (note, for some reason, a few of the pages have warnings on some browsers as of the writing of this article)

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SOS%20Uber%20Island/173/92/25

Bixyl Shuftan

A Busy Weekend: Linden Motown Trivia, Firestorm Anniversary Party

 

 

 This past weekend was a busy one in Second Life. Saturday Sept 2 was the Motown Trivia Party, at 12 Noon SL time. Madori Linden would ask various trivia questions.

Madori Linden: 4. What is the address of the original Motown recording studio?
a. 2648 West Grand Boulevard
b. 7365 Woodrow Wilson St.
c. 7373 Churchill St.
d. 6245 Avery St.

 

The place was a bit crowded, and laggy, but people braved the slow rezzing to answer trivia, or just for the music and dance, or to be at a Linden event. Some would get Madori Linden bears.  The event was scheduled to last until 2PM SL time.

 

 Sunday Sept 3 would have another big event. It was the day of Team Firestorm's Thirteenth Anniversary Party, taking place on a stage at the intersection of four sims. It started at 10 AM with Maxamillian Kleene singing some tunes. At 11 AM, it was Bell Tabak's (PrettyBelle72) turn on stage. In the four sims, the number of people attending was over a hundred. 

Jessica Lyon, the head of Team Firestorm, had always made it to previous anniversary parties. But unfortunately it would not be the case this time as a close family member was in the hospital someone quoting her, "cousin and I are sharing 12 hour shifts, ... and no Internet." During the event, someone shouted, "Jess asked me to several times during the party send her Thanks and Love to our Firestorm User Community. You guys are the best!!! Without you we wouldn't be celebrating today!!!"

 

 While the event is over, people can continue to drop by and grab a couple free gifts. Head to Fiewstorm Dow Forest at (219/229/3901). "Happy Anniversary Firestorm!"

There were other events going on, such as the Spoonful of Sugar charity event which started over the weekend. There will be more on that later. For those interested in checking it out now, head to SOS Uber Island (173/92/25).

 Bixyl Shuftan

Survivors of Suicide Closes, Impact Mental Health Opens

This weekend, the most well-known of mental health support groups, the Survivors of Suicide, had it's last meeting. Soon after, the sim was closed, and the group was closed to new messages. But while this group was closing, another was opening. Impact Mental Health was another mental health support group that was created in response to the closing of SoS, and had taken on many of it's members. Their grand opening event was also this weekend.

Read the story in People.
  

Weekend in Brief

 

Quite a bit happened this past weekend. Among the events was the conclusion of the Burn2 festival, which culminated with the Burning of The Man (above) and the Temple Burn. It was also the conclusion of the Sci-Fi Expo, which raised money for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Sadly there was a sad event, the announcement that the Survivors of Suicide depression support group was closing. And while on a Monday and not the weekend, the "Trick or Treat" game on Bellissaria started.
 

Grand Opening Party For New "Survivors of Suicide" Sim

 

On Saturday August 21 and Sunday August 22, the Survivors of Suicide celebrated the grand opening of their new home sim. The "SoS" as it's known for short has been a noted mental health group in Second Life for several years, and have been more in demand with the Pandemic. Gemma Cleanslate was at their celebration, and saw quite a bit.
 
Read Gemma's article in Events.
 

Announcement: Grand Opening of New Home of Survivors of Suicide

Please join us in celebrating what will be an exciting weekend for SOS. The unveiling of our new Forever Home on a full 20k prim region kindly given to us by our friends at Linden Labs at a nonprofit rate and lovingly built and landscaped by non other than our Director himself, Sebastien Bouevier.

Mental Health has faced a particularly difficult time during the Covid pandemic and, as a result, worldwide lockdowns. However, we have continued to support our peers and members throughout this time and now that we are, hopefully, nearing an end to the crisis - what better way to celebrate?!

The Grand Opening Weekend will commence Saturday the 21st of August at noon SLT - Sunday 22nd August. There will be 2 hours of live music and, of course, free snacks! It will also be a great opportunity for visitors to explore the new sim and check out all of our new facilities.

We really hope to see as many of you as possible at this exciting event!

On behalf of the entire SOS team, we would like to thank you all for your valued and continuous support.

Sincerely

Sherridon Mercury
Director of Events
Survivors of Suicide

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Survivors%20of%20Suicide/75/122/25

 

Reaching Out and Remembrance

Depression, anxiety and tragedy are nothing new to people, in and out of Second Life. But in the past year, the Coronavirus Pandemic have made them worse. Even for those whom haven't lost anyone, there's still the anxiety from lockdowns and news events. In his article for today, Fritter Enzyme offers reminders of some suicide hotlines, and a few places in Second Life where one can mourn the departed.

Read Fritter's story in Extra.

Announcement: Mental Health Awareness Month at SOS

Survivors of Suicide will be honouring mental health awareness week by hosting a month-long Mental Health May Festival! JOIN US! WE'RE LIVE!!!!!!! SLURL TO EVENT: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Legenda/28/6/1677

Join us for a month of live music from some of Second Life's finest musicians! Come and play our gift card and gacha lucky dip giveaway! Choose to keep your gift, or pay it forward to friends or family, it is the month of kindness after all! Come and view our communal gratitude wall honouring kindness during this difficult time!

Most importantly, we will be providing information and resources regarding common mental health conditions to raise awareness and support people on their journeys.

Further information regarding the official Mental Health Awareness Week, that we are supporting with our Mental Health May Festival can be found here.

Please note that details of performance times can be found on our calendar here, alternatively, the gallery here contains images from all our wonderfully kind performers!

Survivors of Suicide Christmas Fair

The Survivors of Suicide, the largest depression support group in Second Life, his holding it's Christmas Fair.

December is upon us once more, and with it comes the 11th anniversary of SOS, and our annual Christmas Fair. This year we have more stores, more entertainment, and more activities for everyone, young, old, tall, small, and everyone in between!

So we invite you all to come join us at our annual Christmas Fair once more! This year we have a whopping 46 stores taking part, all selling their wonderful wares and donating parts of the proceeds to Survivors of Suicide. We also have a lot of varied entertainment from DJ's and Dance Troupes to Conceptual Artists and Live Singers. We also have a Photo Contest in conjunction with Focus Magazine, as well as Santa's workshop where you will be able to meet both Santa and Special Guest Elves, and we promise you won't leave empty handed!

And if the stress of Christmas preparations becomes too much, or if you are feeling the Holiday Blues, we will have SOS Mentors and Members at the Christmas Fair throughout December, and we have even dedicated a nice relaxing spot around a bonfire where you can sit and let the world melt away in friendly company. 

The event lasts to January 1, 2020

To read the announcement in full, Click Here

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Shadowmoor/88/196/2902

Announcement: Games Day at Survivors of Suicide's Open House, 4PM

Since the start of the new year there have been many changes at SOS. 

We've added directors to the main parts of our group, we've started a new mentor application system to make sure the best people are there to help those in need and we've added new scheduled events for our group members to meet up and find comfort and understanding with others who are going through similar issues.

However, the biggest change has been our location.  We moved from our original parcel to a larger one where we have room to move and offer more space to offer our group members support and an enjoyable place to sit for a while.

We would love it if you, the Second Life community would join us for the weekend of February 9th and 10th to see what we have to offer and how you can help.

There will be events, swag bags and cookies! So come on down to the SOS Clubhouse this weekend and see what we are all about.

For more information, Click Here


4PM

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Legenda/48/55/23

Sebastien Bouevier and Survivors of Suicide

Last month the Survivors of Suicide had their Christmas Fair. Having been around in Second Life for ten years, it is the largest and most recognized depression support group inworld. Deaflegacy recently interviewed the head of the group, Sebastien Bouevier. He had a few things to say about Survivors of Suicide, which has recently moved to a new location.

Read the interview in People.

Survivors of Suicide's 10th Anniversary Christmas Fair.

As the holiday season comes to a close, there was one Christmas event that escaped the Newser's attention, until now. Survivors of Suicide is having it's "Tenth Anniversary Christmas Fair," which ends On January 1. It's Grand Closing Gala is scheduled to happen sometime today, Sunday December 30th. The event takes place slightly more than 4000 meters over the Wayward sim.

This Christmas Fair is happening for many reasons.  It’s our 10th Anniversary and we want to celebrate that accomplishment with everyone in Second Life.  Also, it’s giving us a chance to raise funds to make sure we are on the grid for everyone in need for the foreseeable future.  Last, but definitely not least, we are having this event to raise awareness of our group for anyone who may be in need or would like to come on as a mentor.  We know that the holidays are a hard time for many, and we want you to know that S.O.S. is here for you.

I found a number of shops in the area with a number of items from avatars to furniture to accessories, and more. The stalls have at least one item in which 100% of the sales go to SoS. There were also a few items there donated by Second Life artist Bryn Oh. At a frozen lake was a dance area. There was also a gacha machine where one could get surprise items. All the Lindens used to buy gacha items go to the SoS. There was a photo contest people could vote on. In another corner were games people could play.

If you or a friend or family member are feeling the holiday blues, or you are worried for yourself or someone else, we are here for you.  Grab any information that would be helpful at our information booth and if you need to talk to someone, check our Holiday Cuddle Corner, where mentors and members will be standing by to help with those Holiday Blues. If no one is available on site, join our group, there is always someone in chat to talk to.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Wayward/196/214/4003

Bixyl Shuftan

Press Release: Survivors of Suicide

We are a group that provides in world support to those dealing with depression and/ or the loss of a loved on to suicide.  We can make the world a better place together. We have been around since 2009, we are an active group.

Join us!

Survivors of Suicide Depression Support group offers
* Daily positive living and healing articles
* 24/7 Peer support via the groups chat
* Join a community that understands what you are going through, as the are also
* Education about depression and depression related issues
* Referrals to real life resources
* Don't be alone

We have a club house with lots of healing and self help note cards from past posting.  It is a great place to hang out and has greedy greedy and una games out for all to enjoy.  Feel free to come and enjoy and explore. 

Please tell others about SOS buy having it in your profile and./or handing out SOS 1 prim signs that stores, clubs and places in SL can put out to help more people find us.  Talk us up to any bloggers you know and magazine people.


Any help you can provide will be most welcome.

Also seeking a place to host a immersive educational art exhibit about suicide. It will be a walk through exhibit. If you know of anyone with sim space to host this for a month, I would love to know.  Thank you.

Schoomere (161, 48, 23)


Krissy Sinclair
Founder of Survivors of Suicide

Art India for Charity

This is a reminder that bidding and buying some wonderful art pieces for the benefit of SOS Children Village gives orphaned children in India a place to live  rather than on the streets. There are pieces by Ard Schwartzman, Betty Tureaud, Bryn Oh, Eliza Wierwight, Eupalinos Ugajin, fiona Blaylock, Giovanna Cerise, Haveit Neox, Igor Ballyhoo, Josiane Sorciere, Kicca Igaly, Linus Humphreys,Lorin Tone, Melusina Parkin, Pallina60 Loon, Pol Jarvinen, Rebeca Bashly, SaveMe Oh, Secret Rage, Shari Davies Rose Borchovski, Trill Zapatero and Ub Yifu. 

The auction will end on December 23, so try to get there before then. It is set as a skating area where you can skate from item to item and pick up information on each piece. Quan Lavender sent a reminder and I am sorry to say I did not get here until Thursday. However the sale will continue until January 22, so you will have a chance to purchase the remarkable pieces.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Shekhawati/102/68/22

Gemma Cleanslate

"Survivors of Suicide" Valentine Ball

Last weekend on Saturday Feb 11th, there was a fundraiser ball for the "Survivors of Suicide" depression support group. Besides raising Lindens, it was also to provide some fun for both staff and group members alike. The party happened to be at the time news of Whitney Houston's death reached Second Life, which affected the tone of the ball.

Read what happened in Events.

Depression Support Group in Second Life

Most of us know someone who's feeling the blues. But what if it's more than just simple "down" feelings? What if the depressed feelings keep occurring? Where does one turn? There is one such group in Second Life people can turn to. Named the "Survivors of Suicide," the group offers to lend an ear and listen to what mental wellness problem you have of any kind, or if you need advice about someone else.

Read more in People.