By Steven Witkin ’16

Poor body image. Insecurities. Self-harm. Most students know someone who has struggled with at least one of these side-effects of growing up, but there is very little conversation in school on what to do about it. Junior Jack Rubin is trying to fix that.

In December, Rubin announced his solution, a school-based organization called LVYRSLF. Intended to promote a positive body image and prevent suicide, LVYRSLF plans to be a community of students helping others through positivity. The idea is inspired by Rubin’s own experience with negative body image. Afflicted with severe acne in his sophomore year, Rubin felt firsthand how negative body image can cripple everyday life and social interaction. “I went through hell, essentially,” Rubin said. “If I can take what I had to go through and use it to help others, I’d be beyond happy.”

The main obstacle an organization like LVYRSLF faces is that body image issues are very specific to the individual, and some people who are struggling with them and even depression and suicidal thoughts may not be willing to express that to a larger community. Rubin has plans to combat negative body image and prevent suicide on both an individual and community scale. At the first meeting of the organization, sponsored by English teacher Beth Dibler, ideas and future plans were suggested. To spread the message to the community, there are plans to sell t-shirts with positive quotes on them and donate the proceeds to the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention. On the individual level, plans were discussed to create a safe room for helping other people feel good about themselves. Through this kind of non-judgmental positivity, LVYRSLF has the potential to become an active force in making the high school experience better for all involved.

Even before LVYRSLF has made any steps toward their goals, the organization has wide support. The first meeting on December 18 packed Dibler’s room with students, mostly juniors and underclassmen, who are on board with the idea of supporting themselves and others through positivity. The massive group hug that ended the meeting showed the kind of strong community that makes a movement like LVYRSLF successful. Building off this community energy, Rubin is excited for the organization’s future. “I’d love to see it spread to other schools and perhaps become an official non-profit,” he said; “I’d just like to help someone.”