Art comes to life - Short Stuff - Rita Project raises suicide awareness; helps survivors

Girls' Life, Feb-March, 2003

By the time you finish reading this page, one person in the United States will have attempted to commit suicide. Kim Strouse knows this all too well. She lost her sister Kristin Rita Strouse to suicide. To help others who have lost loved ones, as well as those who feel they are at risk for suicide, Kim founded The Rita Project.

The project aims to heal, raise awareness and educate people by setting up Rita Art Studios all across the country. At the studios, participants explore their emotions and feelings by creating art with others who've been affected by suicide. "Rita Project's efforts have saved me from wondering why I was so sad and pretending to be happy," says Erin Finnegan, 19. For more info on the Rita Project, call 1-866-775-Rita.