Visual advocacy

Suicides in Kansas City

Suicides are on the rise all over the United States. One of the cities hit by this plight of people taking their own lives is Kansas City. Kansas City notes in a 2004 community health assessment, that Suicides are mostly caused by spouts of depression and mental health issues. The percentages are so high it is hard to believe. The methods of suicide flux in percentages and frequency of use.

First we need to look at the reasons of why more suicides are happening:

The economic crisis is putting stress on families and single people alike this causes some of them to fall over the edge and thinks there is only one way to escape.

Teens are dying from suicides at a faster rate this year than any other previous year, because of school bulling, prescription drugs that cause a metabolic imbalance, and puberty.

Short spouts of Depression cause a person to over react and take their own life. (drinking during depression seems to make this percentage go higher 24% of those who die from suicides have alcohol in their system).

Low self esteem is the leading cause in mentally healthy adults to take their own lives. This can be caused by work related harassment, medication, relationships, and unemployment.


Domestic violence is another high cause of suicides and falls under mental disorders, most children and adults that come from a domestic violent family have spouts of depression or bipolar disorder. These mental illnesses if not kept in check with medication can lead to suicides.

More suicides are caused by handguns than any other weapon or form of bodily harm.




Lastly is guilt, this is caused by stealing or killing. The fact is the person does not want to be caught by the law. he only way to Escape from persecution is by taking ones life. example
information:

Community Health assessment 2006 for Kansas City MO.
www.kcmo.org/health/pdf/2006CHA/Suicide.pdf
Medscape today
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/704837

Midwest Voices
voices.kansascity.com/node/92

Community Model

Wiki defines antiques as items that are 50 to 100 years of age. The mental image a person may have towards the word antiques are of older people shopping, expensive items, and objects of great value. The meaning of antiques has changed over the years.

People who run antique malls or stores are putting in more modern items. It seems that its more about finding a treasure than just cashing in on valuable items. As the web has opened people up to chatting and shopping online, antiquing has made its way to the internet as well. More antiquers are turning to the web to find the objects they enjoy collecting. When it comes to going "green" antique shops have been doing so for a long time. Younger people are helping with the going green idea by buying from antique shops and reusing, rather then buying new items to just throw away later. The economic crisis calls for people to save money. One way of saving money is by exploring antique shops for the objects a person desires.

Our goal is to bring a new understanding of what antiquing is to young adults, and how it is beneficial to the environment and the economy. A way of doing this is to create an online community that allows for social networking, forming green habits (recycling and reusing), and advance antiquing among young adults.

1. Physical boundaries:

Money to buy the antiques

wanting to start a collection

part of a family ritual of antiquing

reusing

recycling

not having a lot of money to spend

knowing where an antique shop is

finding the best prices

hoping the store has the unique item a person is looking for

Making sure the time works the way you want it to

Does the antique still work

needing to physically look at the object

knowing the back ground

the love for antiquing


2. What's/ who's involved:

People from the ages of 16 to 25

Anyone who is interested in antiques, vintage items, etc.

People who collect specific objects

Decorators

People who want to save money

Anyone that is looking for quality


3. Equipment needs:

Computer

Internet

paypal account

antique items

Camera to take quality pictures of goods/relics being sold

Pricing guides

Info on items that are being sold

rating on condition


4. Demographics:

Enthusiasts ages 16 to 25

Eco-friendly buyers (65% of teens are willing to pay for eco-friendly items)*

People who are looking to save money during the economic crisis

*information provided by (http://www.auctiva.com/edu/entry.aspx?id=Antiques-Popular-Among-Young-Shoppers)


5. Individual and community wants and needs:

quality assurance

collectable items

vintage stock

eco-friendly

low prices

finding local antique shops

socializing with other antiquers*

To be able to physically touch and examine the antique

Look at the antique from more than one angle

using online outlets like Ebay or Craigslist ( draw backs no pictures are posted of the antiques they are selling, tacked on fees that drive the potential buyers away. )

They look for community suggestion outlets, a rating system, or understanding of how well this persons products are. A way to know if the person was satisfied with their buy.

* example here (http://youngantiquescollectors.blogspot.com/)

6. Symbols:
Recognizable antique items:
Optometrist's lens

gramophone

records

glasses

pocket watch

Furniture

dolls

clothing

phones

jewelry

buttons

using symbols of eras:

Victorian 1830's

Boomerang symbol from the 1950's

Hippies 1960's

Go go dancers from the 1970's

pop items from the 1980's

Art styles used:

Deco

Art Nouveau

Pop Art

Industrial

Steam Punk


7. Motivation:

Act of collecting objects of interest

Thrill of the hunt

Taking other peoples treasures and making them your own

furnishing the home

using it for art

hobbyists

reusing the items parts to create something unique

Love for vintage clothing

enjoying the history behind an object

sentimental value ( your Grandmother may have had this antique at one time and it reminds you of her)

Buying for gifts

low prices

quality

to create a certain look or feel in their home or environment

wanting to reuse and recycle