Norman nonprofit Transition House held its 29th annual June Bug Jam on Saturday for an evening of music, comedy, dancing and sharing stories promoting mental health awareness.
Transition House is an organization that focuses on improving the quality of life of people struggling with serious mental illness and addiction through different programs, such as transitional living and community outreach, initiatives and projects.
The upstairs community room at The Well in Norman reached its 72-person capacity as guests entered and found their places at one of the tables spread across the room or mingled with fellow community members. Tables were covered in paintings by Transition House clients, which guests could later take home.
This year’s theme was “Your story has power.” The phrase adorned shirts worn by the organization’s staff and executive board.
Donations were taken throughout the event and, according to Transition House Vice President Preston Court, this year’s June Bug Jam raised about $19,000, approximately $3,000 more than last year’s event.
Guests were welcomed by the sound of drumming, followed by opening words from Transition House Executive Director Bonnie Peruttzi.
According to Peruttzi, destigmatizing the discussion of mental illness was one of Transition House’s goals for June Bug Jam. She said opening the discussion to clients and influential members of Norman’s community helps support stigma reduction by providing a safe space for clients.
Before introducing the evening’s performers, the event emcee comedian Conni Eckstein began the event by sharing the story of her journey to mental wellness after she lost her son in 2013.
“There’s a lot to be revealed in all of our journeys,” Eckstein said. “Remember that everyone has a story, and it’s not going to be the same as yours, and that’s where kindness comes in.”
The event welcomed current and former Transition House clients, as well as Norman Mayor Larry Heikkila, to share their recovery stories.
The event had a lineup of musical performances and interactive dancing, each inspired by the event’s mission to provide support through the community. It featured group line dancing by Lequi Raymond and musical performances by Michael Bendure; Kristen Stehr; Tiffany Couch and Brenda Wheelock; Kelley Lobb; and Oklahoma District 44 Rep. Jared Deck.
Court said that June Bug Jam aims to show people that speaking out on their journeys to others can ultimately save lives and build a community of people with shared experiences.
“There's still a lot of shame around (mental health),” Court said. “I think having events like this where people can come and see other people who exist within the same community as them, who lived very similar lives to them … is a really great and empowering opportunity for people to be like ‘Oh, OK, I absolutely know how that feels.’”
This story was edited by Ana Barboza. Riley McDaniel and Avery Avery copy edited this story.
