Hanover Twp. teen releases message of hope

Oct. 24--HANOVER TWP. -- Just live.

That message inspires Ariela Ortiz, a senior at Hanover Area Junior/Senior High School who has battled depression and other mental health issues since childhood.

Ortiz drove home the message with her senior project: a year-long effort devoted to suicide prevention and helping those who struggle with issues such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, self-harm and bullying.

That project culminated Friday with balloons launched high into the sky, carrying messages of hope.

Ortiz organized the Just Live Balloon Release at the school where she has rallied her classmates -- including some she says once bullied and belittled her -- to support and accept one another. That includes both classmates who look like typical high-schoolers and those with colored hair, tattoos, black clothes and piercings, Ortiz emphasized.

Appearances meant little to Ortiz as she fought her demons with the help of a wide-ranging group of friends.

"I learned to let go of those who let me down and surround myself with those who bring out the best in me," she said, as students, adults and families gathered in the school cafeteria for food and fun activities such as face painting prior to the balloon launch.

Daisy Ortiz, Ariela's mother, beamed proud smiles in her daughter's direction. She did not flinch from detailing the fierce inner battles Ariela fought for years, but noted she is doing much better now, partly due to her intense focus on her senior project.

"I look at it as a stepping stone to her healing herself," Daisy Ortiz said. "She is more outgoing now, the way she used to be. I could not be more proud of her."

Both Ariela Ortiz and her twin sister, Michelle, were precocious learners from their pre-school days, Daisy Ortiz said. That contributed to Ariela's feelings of isolation from her peers as the family moved from the Wyoming Valley to New York and back several times, according to her mother.

"It's hard to deal with mental illness," Daisy Ortiz said. "It's even harder to understand it."

Then came the balloons, with Kelly Clarkson's never-give-up anthem "Stronger" playing in the background.

About 20 people wrote messages on pieces of paper to attach to balloons about to be launched. One young woman, who said she and her relatives have struggled since her mother died six months ago, wrote: "I wish my family gets through this hardship."

Then the group walked outside to the parking lot, with balloons -- of many colors and slightly different shapes -- in hand. On a signal from Ariela Ortiz, they set the balloons free. They slowly drifted out of sight, minutes before sunset, in a light breeze under the watch of an early risen moon.

Proceeds from the event will go to Just Live, Inc., Ortiz said.

Anyone who struggles with suicidal thoughts and needs help can call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-TALK.

emark@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2117

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