From Scars to Strength: The Poetry of Recovery | Bianca Mikahn | TEDxBoulder

Self harm can look like many things from private cutting, to public binge drinking, to heroic overworking. In this intimate and poetic talk artist and Executive Director of Check Your Head Bianca Mikahn shares her insights about self awareness, recovery, and the importance of mental health training for everyone. Bianca Mikahn is a power-house emcee, poet, digital composer, cultural activist and educator. She is Executive Director of youth mental health based organization Check Your Head and a Partner Artist with leading creative educators, Youth On Record and Think360. Bianca’s writing style is described as experimental and thought-provoking, fearlessly addressing themes of self awareness and community engagement. Whether performing alone or as producer & performer of ground breaking musical duo "The Maybe Sos", her stage presence and lyrical content have earned her multiple nominations for “Best Emcee” in the Denver Westword. She has shared stages at Regis University, Denver University, La Napoule's reknowned Chateau in Nice France and Stockholm Sweden's historical Fylkengin Theatre. Her lyrical work is also featured in social justice studies at Wyoming University. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@Shivdotb]

It’s so hard realizing the amount of harm you put yourself through after coming out the other end of the tunnel and it’s so hard to forgive yourself but we all deserve a better tomorrow & a brighter life to live !

[@LaurenB94]

Incredible.

[@lawrencemartin5280]

Awesome talk! In this age of information at our finger tips, it is often easy to stubble across or rather trudge through the information highway or murky swamp in search for something that resonates...that leaves a lasting impression...that even inspires... Your message rings through like the alarming and awakening sound of a rooster doing what he was created to and jolting those who hear into action. Beyond the mere articulation of your message, you are the message and I am moved to do more, to be more, to share more of who I am. Thank you for sharing YOU.

[@biancamikahn3090]

That is a huge and poetic compliment! Many thanks Lawerence

[@jiniu4083]

Her outfit though. Fire

[@thatstriiip]

Queen

[@biancamikahn]

Queen recognize queen! Much respect luv

[@cheeseman2717]

@@biancamikahn very wonderful talk mam I've been struggling with cutting myself and it's nice to see someone who sees the subject with such a level of perception. We need more like you in the world keep up the great work you are a wonderful person.

[@savannaleehodgkinson189]

Thank you for an incredible talk. This has touched me.

[@hollymauery346]

my goodness you made me cry! Your poetry is amazingly beautiful you make me not so ashamed of my scars thank you (:

[@sunsetseekher]

Thank you Bianca

[@MjF809]

Magnificent mind!

[@glendahunt9207]

Great Great. Thanks so much. My 11-year-old cuts herself and I just found out she has done this for a while but covered it up with long sleeves. Acute hospitalization twice now the last time she called 911 herself. Residential treatment is 3 months on a waiting list and the cost is 10k. to 13 k. a month. Dr. Daniel Amen from the Amen Clinic supports the fact that emotional trauma is the same as a physical injury to the brain. My daughter needs 2 scans. each is $6,500. One in Va. can be done. The other is at the Amen Clinic in N.Y. doesnt it make more sense to fund our children to have a brain scan to adress the parts of the brain that need help insted of just treating the syptoms. Look back to the 1940s nothing has changed.

[@lanzi3058]

I agree, I have been struggling with this for the past year and it is too expensive for me to acess therapy or help.

[@MjF809]

Your daughter is right.

[@mperez9745]

Oh wow, that's my ex!