by Olivia Green | WeINSPIRE Reporter

HERCULES, Ca. — Mental health struggles can cause one to feel alone and isolated from the world. This combined with the myriad events in the last year that have complicated life as we know it has put many in emotional downward spirals, but sometimes, all it takes is one small act of kindness to make someone feel seen and supported. 20-year-old Bethany Graham has taken her small acts of kindness to a large scale with her Kindness Cards Project, where she sends free cards and care packages to anyone in the UK facing chronic illnesses, disabilities, or mental health struggles. When Graham began her project in August of 2018, she knew what it was like to battle with mental health. What started as one Instagram post offering to send someone a smile through the mail has grown into a project that has lifted many spirits.

“Before I started this, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, and I was struggling myself. I had just been diagnosed with autism and I was dealing with a lot of anxiety,” said Graham. “I decided to set up the Kindness Cards Project while on a break from school. I didn’t expect it to last very long but it grew so much and now I couldn’t imagine not doing it.”

Those in need of a little kindness, or those who may want to send some joy to another, can apply for a care package or card online to give Graham a sense of what may be beneficial to include. “They take quite a long time to make because I make sure they’re perfect for each individual person,” said Graham. I base it off of their likes, dislikes, allergies, but especially the things they’re struggling with, so if someone’s dealing with anxiety, I may include some positive quotes or affirmations to uplift them.”

Graham is constantly receiving positive messages of gratitude from recipients but recently after sending a care package, she got a particularly powerful message from an individual who had been battling suicidal thoughts. Although they were still in the midst of an uphill battle, Graham’s kindness package was able to give them a little bit of hope. “It just helped them to realize that someone cares, that they aren’t alone, and they don’t have to struggle alone,” said Graham.

Since Graham’s cards and packages are free and donations are not guaranteed, significant portions of the project’s funding come from Graham’s own pocket; however, the positive responses that she receives and the genuine ability to uplift so many make the cost worth it. “I’d rather have less money for myself and put everything I can into this because I’m so passionate about it,” said Graham. “It’s something that I know I want to continue for the rest of my life.” Currently, Graham is in school to learn more about how to run her Kindness Cards Project best. “It’s not a business,” she said, “but I can still learn more about how to operate it, and eventually I want to turn it into a proper full-time charity.”

Most of all, Graham wants people to know that “you can find the light in the darkness!” “There’s so much negativity in the world,” she said. “It seems like every time I look at my phone; there’s something awful happening or awful things are being said about to people online. It’s not nice to see, so even just one small act of kindness within all of the madness really makes a difference.”

To learn more about the Kindness Cards Project, check out their Instagram, or get involved by donating here!