Tony's Superhero Story

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Tony's Superhero Story

Tony's Superhero Story depicts the author’s struggle with the collateral effects of being bullied

05/24/2023

I had a wonderful experience collaborating with Lindsey Titus this week and providing a presentation about bullying to over 50 6th graders, as well as some parents, district personnel and school staff. Lindsey and I not only went to the same high school, but we also worked together on anti-bullying during our high school years!

My presentation dived deeper into the different types of bullying and how there are collateral mental health hardships for both the victim and the bully. Lindsey and I created a safe space where the kids discussed their interpersonal issues and how they can implement self-care skills.

A huge shout out to Lindsey who advocated for this workshop on bullying. Thank you to Lindsey and her family for the hospitality and all their support! Be sure to take care of yourself as mental health awareness month comes to its end. Be sure to always take care of yourself.

12/23/2022

On Wednesday evening, I hosted a Holiday Family Fun Night in my classroom where nearly 30 people decorated cookies and ate delicious treats. ‘Tis the season to give to others! Happy Holidays! ❄️⛄️🐧🍪

10/27/2022

On October 20, 2022, I celebrated the one year anniversary of the publishing of my book, Tony’s Superhero Story!

Tony’s Superhero Story began as a journaling exercise for me to help process and reduce my anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic while I was studying for the clinical exam to obtain licensure as a therapist. Journaling successfully reduced my anxiety and boosted my self-esteem. Along the way, I shared some of my journaling content with family and close friends who encouraged me to develop it into a book to self-publish. Despite my lack of experience in this type of endeavor and my many doubts, I listened to them and am now grateful that I did.

My first year as a published author included highlights such as speaking to adolescents about their mental health hardships and presenting my book to students of different ages. Additionally, multiple bookstores accepted my book to sell! I also experienced some lows: schools rejecting my book as a donation, bookstores not responding to me or declining to sell my book, and criticizing myself as both a new clinician and author. These experiences all eventually led to personal and professional growth.

I feel proud that I published my book because it addresses the unfortunate stigmatization of su***de, encourages self-healing and self-love, and candidly shares my vulnerability in an uplifting superhero story. This unexpected book has deepened my passion for mental health awareness and for the accessibility and normalization of su***de prevention. I’m happy that I sold 208 copies!

I am now inspired to continue writing more books. Please stay tuned as I strive to intertwine mental health awareness with more adventures in potential new stories.

I thank everyone who has supported me throughout this experience, particularly those who have read and/or purchased my book. Cheers to future endeavors! 💙🧜🏻‍♂️⚔️

📸: Dan Thompson ❤️

***deprevention

09/30/2022

It’s been a while since I’ve posted on social media due to being hacked and starting a job at a new school. I’m grateful that my accounts are now intact and that my school has a fall recess.

During the fall break, I visited a lively bookstore in West Hollywood called Booksoup where Tony’s Superhero Story is now available!

Thank you to my dad for going with me to SoCal and visiting with me! 🧜🏻‍♂️⚔️💙

***deprevention

07/16/2022

The National Su***de and Crisis number officially changes today to 988. In the hopes of decreasing the alarming su***de rates in the USA, the phone number has been changed to be remembered and normalized.

988 is not the solution to ending su***de attempts, but is a step toward supporting those who are struggling and who are open to talking about suicidal ideation or mental health hardships.

It’s never easy to call the hotline when someone is in a crisis or feeling suicidal. As I’ve supported callers, I’ve told them that no one ever plans on calling the Su***de and Crisis hotline because we don’t plan nor want to feel suicidal.

There is no shame in leaning on someone for help, especially if they are a compassionate and trained listener. If you are having a challenging time, know that you aren’t alone and that there are people who care about you. Let’s work together to emotionally support others.

#988 ***deprevention

05/13/2022

Earlier this week, I was a guest speaker for Educators for Excellence at a virtual seminar. It was an empowering experience to advocate for LGBTQ+ literacy to be more available and to provide education on su***de prevention. I spoke about my book and provided mental health resources that are easily accessible. I presented along TK, 2020 Teacher of the Year in Massachusetts, who addressed Q***r Identity and shared staggering stats on homophobic USA laws.

A huge thank you to my sister, Angela, for facilitating the event and connecting Massachusetts teachers who demonstrated wanting to emotionally support all of their students. I appreciate her unconditionally supporting me and I’m excited it was our first sibling tag team work event. I look forward to more events like this.

A friendly reminder that the su***de lifeline will be changing from 1-800-273-8255 to 988 this July.

05/09/2022

In late April, I attended the LA Festival of Books. This festival is the largest book festival in the US with around 150,000 in attendance per year. It was overwhelming to attend such a huge event. I wasn’t able to promote my book much due to not having a reserved tent, but I felt proud and excited that my book was featured at the festival.

While there, I attended and learned from seminars on Youth’s Mental Health and Q***r Identity. Attending an event like this inspires me to continue encouraging myself as an author and to potentially write more.

04/14/2022

Tony’s Superhero Story is available at the Bookshop Santa Cruz! A must visit when you’re in SC. What better way to celebrate than with my mom on this gorgeous Spring day?! Be sure to get your copy! 😎☀️

04/12/2022

I started a full-time school-based therapist position at an elementary school in Morgan Hill in the middle of January. The school was generous with providing me an entire classroom. In the past, I’ve worked in closets at schools with electrical cords poking out and no windows. My excitement about an entire room faded away quickly when I realized the students I work with did not want to be in a dull and empty room. I would feel the same, too.

For the last 3 months, I’ve been cleaning, moving heavy objects out of the room, throwing away trash, organizing toys and supplies, creating posters, and designing a counseling room for the children I work with. Considering I put my own effort into the room on my own time, I’m proud of how the room looks. It’s not easy starting school over half way through the year.

An example I can share about how the students responded to my updated room is about one student refused to see me when I first arrived. When I brought in some toys and arranged Chill Ville, this student eased into counseling willingly. I plan to make more efforts to make the counseling room a safe and fun place for kids. Please reach out if you have any suggestions for toys, games, supplies, books, or anything else to help with making this room even better.

.Tony

03/04/2022

February was a tough month for me. I felt like giving up on promoting my book. My book was rejected by a school and bookstore, which frustrated and confused me. I’m still puzzled by how within a certain school district the elementary schools embraced a copy of my book yet the middle school declined it.

I’m currently experiencing multiple significant changes: a new, full time school-based therapist position and moving into a new apartment. My coping skills haven’t served me as well as usual this last month which has led me to take a break from volunteering at the National Su***de and Crisis lifeline. Taking a mental health break from the lifeline is challenging for me because it is my passion to support others.

My current situations require being flexible and adjusting while starting new chapters. There are moments and opportunities I’ve been happy about and grateful for such as having an entire classroom for my workspace, living with my boyfriend, and continuing to promote my book. I’ll be posting soon on what my work and home situations look like!

Even though I had a mental setback, I won’t give up on my book nor myself. I recently got a haircut and something about cutting off hair always feels like a fresh start. Cheers to perseverance no matter the dilemma and to normalizing mental health conversations in our everyday life.

💇‍♂️💙🦸‍♂️

01/14/2022

Last Friday, I presented my book to students in their mental health club at Oakland Charter High School. We discussed how education impacts our mental health and we did activities to promote self-care. A big thank you to Amanda Daly for arranging this wonderful opportunity! 🦸‍♂️🌊💙

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Calaveras County, CA

Website

http://tonyssuperherostory.com/

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