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What happens when mental health support gets stripped to its most essential element—human connection? In this groundbreaking first episode of Project Human's Monthly Community Conversations, founder Adela Hittel takes us on a journey that challenges everything we think we know about mental health advocacy.
Born from Adela's own harrowing experience in 2017 when she found herself alone during a suicidal crisis, Project Human emerges as a powerful peer-to-peer advocacy organization focused on what truly matters—the conversations that save lives. "No one picked up," she shares about that dark moment, "and I cried on the floor for eight hours and begged for death. It's not a place where I want any human to be, because at the end of the day, it's as simple as a conversation—the amount of lives we can save through a conversation."
The episode introduces the organization's core philosophy of the "40 inches back to chest" concept—focusing first on yourself and then on those immediately surrounding you. This revolutionary approach argues that before we can change the world, we must first transform our immediate relationships. When team member Yolanda Curtis shares her moving testimony, we witness this principle in action. Despite years of traditional therapy requiring her to repeatedly relive trauma, Yolanda found healing through simple, authentic conversations that allowed her to process emotions organically—skills she's now teaching her eight-year-old daughter.
• The organization's core values of advocacy, education, and information guide their approach to mental health support
• Project Human emphasizes the "40 inches back to chest" philosophy—focusing on yourself and those immediately around you
• Volunteer coordinator Alicia Kellerman-Alvarez explains that volunteering is both a human responsibility and an opportunity for personal growth
• Yolanda Curtis shares her powerful testimony of finding healing through conversation rather than clinical approaches
• The organization plans a three-day Mental Health Summit for 2026 to hold officials accountable and amplify community voices
• Project Human seeks volunteers for various roles including operations, fundraising, and program coordination
• The team introduces their upcoming "Certified Nuisance" merchandise line launching in July
Join us monthly for community conversations every last Thursday of the month. Visit phinc-ing.org/join-us to become a volunteer or to learn more about upcoming events including our Runway to Resilience fashion fundraiser on September 27th.
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Disclaimer: “The Artist Within Podcast” is for educational and informational purposes only. We are not medical professionals, and the content should not be considered medical advice. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider.
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