Founder of To Write Love on Her Arms Will Speak at Baylor University About Overcoming Depression, Addiction

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Media contact: Lori Fogleman, (254) 710-6275

WACO, Texas (Oct. 30, 2015) – Baylor University’s Academy for Leader Development will present “Pain, Hope, Questions, and Community: An Evening with To Write Love on Her Arms” on Tuesday, Nov. 3, in Waco Hall. The event will include a screening of the film “To Write Love on Her Arms” at 3 p.m. and a presentation by the nonprofit’s founder, Jamie Tworkowski, at 6 p.m.

To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) is an organization which aims to provide hope and help for people struggling with addiction, depression, self-injury and thoughts of suicide.

“Depression and suicide affect us all,” said Lizzy Davis, coordinator for the peer leader program. “Depression is a non-discriminating disease that affects everyone: rich, poor, black and white. The more we can help connect each other and those we love with help and walk in community, the more hope there is. You are loved and you are not alone – this is what we want those attending to leave knowing.”

Tworkowski founded TWLOHA in 2006 after he met a woman struggling with addiction and depression. After she entered a treatment center, he sold T-shirts to help cover her costs. Since its founding, TWLOHA has donated more than $1.5 million to treatment and recovery and has granted funding to 73 organizations and counseling practices.

“Jamie is an active public speaker, supporter of mental health initiatives and recently released his first book, ‘If You Feel Too Much,’” Davis said. “Depression and anxiety continue to rise amongst college students. We felt it was important to bring TWLOHA to our campus to give our students hope and help them know they are not alone.”

This event is free and open to the public, however tickets are required. They are available at the Bill Daniel Student Center Ticket Office and will be available one hour before each event at Waco Hall.

Waco Hall is located at 624 Speight Ave., and the Bill Daniel Student Center is located at 1311 S. Fifth St.

For more information, contact the Academy for Leader Development at 254-710-1291.

by Ashton Brown, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 16,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.