Waterspirit is a Proud Partner of the First National 'Mental Health Action Day'

First National ‘Mental Health Action Day’ to Drive People to Take a First Mental Health Action for Themselves or Others

More than a year into COVID-19 and amidst a most dire mental health crisis Waterspirit and more than 900 organizations team up to plan inaugural ‘Mental Health Action Day’ on May 20

Rumson, New Jersey –Waterspirit today announces its participation in the first-ever Mental Health Action Day, to be held on Thursday, May 20 in partnership with more than 700 leading brands, nonprofits, government agencies and cultural leaders.

Over the past two decades, suicide rates have risen, particularly among young adults. “From Covid-19 to economic struggles and the continuing fight for racial justice, the other half of the twin pandemic is the rise of our mental health challenges,” said Erika Soto Lamb, Vice President of Social Impact Strategy at MTV Entertainment Group. “This is a critical moment to shift our culture from mental health awareness to mental health action and MTV is proud to come together with diverse cross-sector leaders on this inaugural day to encourage and empower people to take action -- for themselves, for their loved ones or for the systemic changes needed to improve our social and emotional wellbeing.”                                

Waterspirit will showcase its FREE weekly program called Meditation for Earth, which moved online at the onset of COVID19. There are 55 videos, 35 minutes each, recorded on the nonprofit’s YouTube channel for people to access at no cost. Waterspirit’s Executive Director, Blair Nelsen, shared, “Spiritual ecology helps individuals deepen their awareness of the interconnectedness of all Creation. Meditation for Earth is a practice that reminds us that when we heal ourselves, we heal our communities.”

Mental Health Action Day is an open-source movement of brands, organizations and cultural leaders to drive culture from mental health awareness to mental health action. Mental Health Action Day is being planned in partnership with TaskForce, a cultural organizing agency that builds capacity for those taking on the most pressing challenges facing our communities, our nation and our world. Additional participants and more information about how each partner will activate on May 20 will be forthcoming. www.MentalHealthActionDay.org A full list of partners is available here.

Waterspirit is a nonprofit center for spiritual ecology, sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. Founded in 1998, Waterspirit is currently headquartered on occupied Lenni Lenape land in Rumson, New Jersey. Through programs, learning, reflection, and ritual, we help connect to meaningful actions on behalf of water.

Harriet Shugarman is the Inaugural Suzanne Golas, CSJP Award Recipient!

Rumson, New Jersey – Waterspirit announced Harriet Shugarman, Founder and Executive Director of Climate Mama, as the inaugural recipient of the Suzanne Golas, CSJP Award created to honor the legacy of the organization’s founder.  The intergenerational community gathering breathed new life into the enduring effort of caring for Creation.  Harriet exudes what Suzanne Golas, CJSP envisioned early on could be possible with leadership and support for people of all walks of life, for progress toward peace for future generations.

Captain Hugh Carola, Waterspirit Board Member and Hackensack Riverkeeper Program Director who voted for Harriet, referred to her as our “sister in struggle.” Harriet shared the moment with the Waterspirit community by saying, “We recognize what’s at stake and what the future is if we don’t. We envision the future we want and we do what we can to change that and we do it because we know we need to. It is very special to be the first honoree of the Suzanne Golas, CSJP Award. Recognition, taps on the back and kind words are very meaningful.”

Before delivering her keynote she pointed to Waterspirit as being uniquely special. She talked of learning to hone her heart vision, which she learned about from LaUra and Aimee of the Good Grief Network. The community gathered with smiles and reflection as well as trivia and an auction that resulted in fun bidding contests on items such as a beach cruiser, local handmade jewelry and framed close-up photographs of Hawaiian sea life. The full recording of the Joys of the Sea gala may be found  on Waterspirit’s YouTube channel, here. Harriet can next be seen on May 8th for the fifth annual (virtual) Mother’s Day Climate Rally.

Spring Newsletter

Waterspirit’s Spring 2021 newsletter has arrived! Click here to take a look.

Meet Waterspirit's Newest Team Member!

Waterspirit is delighted to introduce its newest team member, Development Coordinator Sarah A. Thoma! Sarah comes to Waterspirit with expansive work experience in the areas of organizational redevelopment, strategic planning, fundraising, public relations, and community engagement.  Her innovative mindset is evident in her work in revitalizing the Governor’s Office of Volunteerism, Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County, Hurricane Sandy response efforts, and the development of a global institute for youth.  She redesigned the volunteer programs for CentraState Healthcare System, RWJ Monmouth Medical Center and Children’s Specialized Hospital. While employed in the US Department of Homeland Security, she designed a volunteer initiative that became the benchmark for other federal agencies. 

After moving to the Jersey Shore from New York and calling Sea Bright her home for 27 years, she became more aware of the water pollution issues not only in New Jersey, but globally. With deep admiration for the wonderful work being done at Waterspirit, she is enthusiastically looking forward to bringing her networks, resources, and more to strengthen Waterspirit financially for the future.

Sarah presently is an advisor to the Mater Dei Prep Global Institute and member of UN NGO Pathways to Peace and lives in Red Bank, NJ.

February 25th: A Most Newsworthy Day

February 25, 2021 was an amazing day for water and for Waterspirit! We have three great pieces of news to share:

First, a full, permanent ban on fracking in the Delaware River Basin was put in place yesterday. This is historic, and it is a cause for celebration!  Please join in celebrating water with your family today at 4PM with Clean Ocean Action’s 37th birthday followed by Delaware Riverkeeper’s Watershed (Fracking Ban) Happy Hour at 6PM! 

All the water that exists on Mother Earth has always been here and will always be in one form or another. Water is both the precursor for life and necessary for sustenance and survival. In this way, those of us living today are all connected to our ancestors in our relationship with water. Water is-- as the first peoples share-- the first medicine. Water is life.

Resulting from the tireless efforts of people who care for this part of creation, Mother Earth prevailed. This consistent demonstration of courage and storytelling on the part of Water Protectors for the past 10 years was impassioned and personal.  Today, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) demonstrated courage, too. Thank you to Governor Phil Murphy, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Governor John Carney and Governor Tom Wolf and the Army Corps of Engineers representative for President Biden!

I am proud to have been part of the group that descended on Delaware to educate citizenry and bird dog then New Jersey Governor Christie, alumnus of University of Delaware, conveniently speaking there before the vote nobody knew about a week prior. 10 years later I am finally capable of delivering to my children the absolute goal of a full fracking ban which came from a focused and unrelenting coalition.   

Second, crucial water protections were introduced at the federal level yesterday. The 2021 People’s Water Project Coalition backed Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity and Reliability (WATER) Act was introduced in both the House and the Senate. This legislation would:

·  Provide $35 billion a year to drinking water and wastewater improvements; 

·  Create up to nearly 1 million jobs across the economy and protect American workers;

·  Prioritize disadvantaged communities with grants and additional support;

·  Expand technical assistance to small, rural and indigenous communities;

·  Dedicate and increase grants for indigenous communities;  

·  Fund projects to address water contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS);

·  Help homeowners replace lead service lines;

·  Provide more than $1 billion a year to update water infrastructure in public schools;

·  Upgrade household wells and septic systems; and

·  Promote safe, affordable, publicly controlled water for all.

Waterspirit is proud to be a founding member of the People’s Water Project, and we are eager to continue our effort to ensure clean, safe water for all through measures like the WATER Act.

Finally, the United Nations featured WATERSPIRIT’s eco-anxiety support groups among their Climate Action Stories. These groups promote climate resilience and education while strengthening our capacity for effective advocacy. Processing feelings and making meaningful action together in group is formative toward personal resilience. Knowledge is power. WATERSPIRIT’s next offering of a 10-Step Eco-Anxiety support group begins with a virtual informational session March 2, 2021. Register here to learn more.

Water can be our greatest connector if we allow ourselves the ability to enact preventative policies. Onwards!

By: Rachel Dawn Davis, Public Policy and Justice Organizer