Smile Depression Campaign 2017
What is DEPRESSION?
de·pres·sion
diˈpreSHən
noun
1. severe despondency and dejection, typically felt over a period of time and accompanied by feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy.
a condition of mental disturbance characterized by depression to a greater degree than seems warranted by the external circumstances, typically with lack of energy and difficulty in maintaining concentration or interest in life.
"clinical depression"
synonyms:
unhappiness, sadness, melancholy, melancholia, misery, sorrow, woe, gloom, despondency, low spirits, a heavy heart, despair, desolation, hopelessness
unhappiness, sadness, melancholy, melancholia, misery, sorrow, woe, gloom, despondency, low spirits, a heavy heart, despair, desolation, hopelessnessShaun Jai was born in Washington, DC. From the stories that had been told, she was a very active child with a personality that would light up any room. Even as a child she was an entrepreneur. She sold newspapers, books, she ran a candy store out of her parent’s kitchen, and she even started a Kids Club within in her neighborhood in the clubhouse she built in her parent’s backyard. Although spunky, she learned at a very early age how dark the world could be. Between the ages of five and eight is when the darkness of the world interfered with her thoughts and happiness as a child.
Between the ages of five and eight she had been molested three times on three separate occasions, by three different individuals. Life had already taken a toll on Shaun before even reaching Middle School.
Without any outlets and no one to release the pain and frustration that evilness had given to her, she learned at a very early age that her fist could deliver her a sense of release. From Elementary School throughout Middle School, and until High School she fought, releasing her anger on anyone that stepped in her way, whether she felt threatened or not.
During Middle School she contemplated committing suicide. She felt like no one in the world cared if she existed or not. She thought that death was her only way to escape all of her pain and frustrations. It was her best friend that removed those thoughts from her mind with one simple gesture; love. She also began to write poems and short stories to relieve some of the frustrations of life.
It was in High School that she learned her first lesson of her worth. It was her tenth grade year and she was now being transferred to her third High School. It was at Forestville High School that the principal told her, he did not want her in his school because of her record. As her heart began to drop out of her chest, his very next sentence was, “because of your test scores I am going to give you one chance" And he allowed her to register in his school, with one warning "Do not mess it up!”
Shaun realized that someone cared enough for her to give her one more chance and she instantly began to turn her life around. She became an honor roll student, joined the basketball team, received her Gold Award in Girl Scouting, joined the Student Government Association, and the Pep Squad. She was extremely proud of her accomplishments.
During her twelfth grade year her grandmother passed and life seemed to get dark once again. She was offered a scholarship to play basketball but do to the stress of her grandmother passing she began having anxiety attacks and she lost the scholarship. . Although she was not able to attend college with a scholarship, she still had a desire to go. During her freshman year in college she was raped in her dorm room and was told by a lawyer that because she allowed the young man in her room, there was nothing that their office could do. After that incident she began to call on God and the phrase, “Lord I know you would not put any more on me than I can bear” began to be her strength. With that phrase ringing in her heart she was able to complete her freshman year of college. Although she did not go back after her freshman year, she has a desire to finish, one day.
She made A choice... Die or Live?
Shaun Jai is now a Mother, Business Owner, Motivational Speaker, an Advocate for the Youth, and an Activist for Homelessness. As you can see Shaun's past did not hold her hostage. She uses her past to educate and inspire others that God can do anything; even save, deliver, and restore someone as broken as she once was.
Now she teaches from her life experiences, teaching others the value of “Living Life Unapologetically”. She just recently celebrated her 20th Year Anniversary producing Fashion Shows. She uses her platform to not only entertain her audience but to also educate them on the growing epidemic of Teen Suicide and Depression. Her shows are also used as a platform for many other issues that our youth are facing, such as, low self-esteem, abuse, teen pregnancy, rape, drugs, and so much more.
Ms. Shaun is also in the beginning stages of writing her very first book about her life as a child, teenager, and young adult. She hopes that her readers will learn that through any circumstances and situations, that they can make it and still be productive citizens in our society. She hopes that women both young and old will realize their worth and learn that no matter what the devil attempted to do to tear them down, to shame them, to destroy them…
God will never allow him to take their worth!!!
You will often hear her state, that we are to teach from our past and not live in it!!!
To learn more please visit www.ShaunJai.com
THERE IS HELP
INVITE US
Copyright ©2014 - Smile Depression Campaign. All Rights Reserved.
We would love to come to your next event and speak to your youth. Our mission is to encourage our youth through self demonstration. We speak from our hearts about our own life experience. We are professional but there is no sugar-coating when it comes to depression and suicide.
Our goal is to talk! Whether it's a one on one session, a group of 5 or more, even if it is an auditorium filled to it's capacity. We just want to TALK!
We are not professionals! We just SPEAK and give our TESTIMONY!!!
