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M Abeo  

Mental Health Advocate, Survivor & Podcast Host, "Behind the Lens"; Creator & Photographer of Faces of Fortitude

M Abeo (they/he/she) is a mental health advocate, speaker, podcast host, producer, photographer, and creator of the Faces of Fortitude movement, which began as a series of portraits documenting the healing for those affected by suicide – providing a safe, stigma-free space both virtually and in person for mental health and suicide to be discussed. After losing their brother over a decade ago to suicide and surviving their own severe attempt as a teen, M started this movement initially for their own healing.

The portraits caught fire online, and they quickly saw a need for others to have a safe space to share their stories. They now travel the country to capture portraits of those affected by the epidemic in any way (be it loss, attempt, or first responders) as a step towards their healing and to educate people as both a mental health advocate and suicide loss and attempt survivor.

M’s Faces of Fortitude project has grown exponentially, and is now considered by many in the mental health field, as an essential healing space for anyone who has experienced the trauma of suicide. They single-handedly manage all the projects under the Faces of Fortitude umbrella; the portrait work, traveling interactive photography exhibits, and a podcast entitled Behind the Lens – A conversation series that provides a platform focusing on the LGBTQ+ & POC communities and their allies in the areas of activism, politics, mental health, arts & entertainment, and community – discussing the human experience in our ever-changing world. Faces of Fortitude has a rapidly growing social media fan base, followers and fans growing into an organic community of people creating safe spaces for each other across the world. In their spare time, M lives in the heart of the city in Seattle, Washington, and is working on a first-edition fine art book.

Speech Topics

UnEarth Your Trauma

How many of us had to learn to care for ourselves differently during the pandemic quarantine? M shares their personal story regarding how both through their work with the Faces of Fortitude project as well as learning to care for their plants showed them where they were neglecting their own self care. They share seven plant-asmetaphor steps they created to help move through their healing journey in bite-sized and more manageable steps.

Takeaways:

  • How COVID-19 changed the way we take care of ourselves.
  • How difficult and uncomfortable conversations are a huge part of Suicide Prevention.
  • How we can learn to unpack within your capacity, using plant life as a guide.

Faces of Fortitude: Creating Safety Within Trauma & Loss

If the abrupt halt of “hustle culture” during COVID-19 taught us anything, it was that we weren't as focused on our mental health as we should have been. Using the power of plant life as a metaphor and their own vulnerability as a guide, M shows how staying with ourselves and truly listening when things are difficult can actually work as a healing superfood if we allow it.

Takeaways:

  • The power of cross narration within story-telling
  • Using discomfort as a Superfood
  • How to recognize how our reactions are connected to our trauma
  • Learning to listen to ourselves to better heal

Celebrating the Survivors: Creating Safe Spaces Around Suicide

By sharing the painful story of their brother’s suicide, M examines the way they were able to heal in new ways by connecting with others experiencing similar stories. They remind us of the importance of creating safe places together to discuss stigmatized trauma stories, heal, and grow.

Takeaways:

  • Importance of safety within storytelling
  • How survivors of suicide can use their trauma as fuel to heal through Post Traumatic Growth
  • Optional pop-up portrait gallery featuring images and stories from M’s Faces of Fortitude project

News

Huffington Post Brazil Interview
CNN Headline News Morning Segment
Entertainment Weekly Feature
‘Faces Of Fortitude’ | De-Stigmatizing Mental Illness And Healing Through Photography
Mariangela started Faces of Fortitude to help herself and others who have lived through trauma involving suicide or suicidal ideation, heal. Spurred on by photographer Stacy Pearsall’s after-hours talk on turning trauma into meaningful personal projects during CreativeLive’s Photo Week 2017, Mariangela set out on an impressive task.
Mariangela Abeo | Faces of Fortitude
Faces of Fortitude started as a photography project and has grown into an online movement. This movement lays a foundation for healing through portraits of those personally affected by attempted or completed suicide. It strives to provide a safe, stigma-free space, virtually, through social media, and in person with gallery events, for mental health to be discussed, and stories of loss and survival to be shared.

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