Rising Stars: Meet Leigh Ann Fulford of Ohio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leigh Ann Fulford.

Leigh Ann, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Leigh Ann Fulford lost her sister to suicide in 2005 and is passionate about preventing others from going through the pain her family and friends went through when Lynda died. She is the founder/director of GEM Project Dayton that runs an annual youth art contest that promotes mental health. She is a suicide prevention trainer, certified in ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), safeTALK, Ending the Silence, QPR, Talk Saves Lives, and Working Minds. She is a LOSS responder, who accompanies first responders to support loved ones when there has been a suicide loss. She works closely with the Montgomery County Prevention Coalition and NAMI to reduce suicides in her community.

Leigh Ann is also on the boards of the Breast Wishes Foundation, the Oakwood Inclusion Coalition, and Dayton’s Unsung Heroes. She was a founding member of David’s Place, a safe space for Q+ youth created in memory of one of her former students. She is a proud graduate of Oakwood’s Safety Academy where she learned to her surprise that she is a sharp shooter (she doesn’t own a gun).

She and her husband Joe are active in Solar United Neighbors, Drive Electric Dayton, Green Oakwood, Wright Memorial Library, and the Hueston Woods Sailing Association. Currently they are working with Dayton Metro Parks and the LOSS (Local Outreach for Suicide Survivors) team to install a memory garden or trail for healing and remembering those lost to suicide.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest obstacle to preventing suicides is overcoming the stigma surrounding conversations around mental health. Connecting with youth and normalizing mental health discussions gives them a head start to being healthy throughout their lives, and fortunately youth are very receptive to these conversations. However, adults are often uncomfortable talking about mental health or suicide because they were taught to hide these feelings or conditions from others and don’t know how to support their youth or others when asked for support.

The youth artwork from the GEM Art Contest has helped spark these inter-generational conversations that can be difficult to begin. The GEM artwork helps not only youth connect with other youth, but also parents with children, teachers with students, and coaches with athletes. It also connects adults with other adults. For example, when GEM artwork has been displayed at prevention events, medical personnel, first responders, and veterans—groups that have a higher risk of suicide than the general population—ask us to share our messaging and offer trainings at their organizations.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
During COVID, Leigh Ann worked with a team of high school students to create the GEM Art Contest for Suicide Prevention. (GEM stands for Goal: Everyone Matters) to help support their peers’ mental health during the shutdown. The GEM Art Contest has slowly grown over the years, and in February, The GEM Project Dayton team awarded more than $15,000 to 51 youth in the Greater Dayton area their 5th GEM Awards Ceremony. GEM artwork with 988 crisis information has been installed on street poles, an art wrap on a utility junction box at Levitt Pavillion, and on PSAs inside all 200 RTA buses. You can see the artwork and learn more about the contest at www.gemprojectdayton.org.

For her mental health, Leigh Ann creates stained glass mosaics and supports local non-profits with the proceeds. Her work can be seen at Central Perc, David’s Place, NCCJ Dayton, Dayton Metro Library, Slidertown Apartments in South Park, and The Dayton International Peace Museum.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Leigh Ann’s advice is to realize you cannot fix all the problems in the world so use your energy wisely and concentrate on the ones closest to home with all the love you can muster. Rest assured not everyone will understand, appreciate, or agree with what you are doing and you will make mistakes—just remember to keep a sense of humor and give yourself grace.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gemprojectdayton.org