During the pandemic of 2020, a curse was released upon the city of New Orleans following the death of three men during the construction of the Hard Rock Hotel several months before. This curse impacted the lives of everyone, including several athletes who were NFL hopefuls. "A Stretch To Love," tells the story of one woman who moved to Jacksonville, Florida to escape the 2020 curse of New Orleans while pursuing her dream of becoming an NFL Stretch Therapist. The film opens with Alaina Guidry, the female lead, sitting on Jax Beach while writing in her journal. She's recalling the events of 2020 and how the curse impacted her life. She wonders if the hex still impacts her love life. We then see the story begin during Mardi Gras of 2020 when then NFL hopeful Elijah Landry (fictional character) is shot at a parade. He has to now watch as Nate Evans, Jr. (a real-life athlete) prepares for his NFL debut after being signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Nate Evans, Jr. left New Orleans a few years before attending the University of Central Florida in Orlando. Sitting in his bed, a now paralyzed and depressed Elijah Landry must endure seeing Nate Evans, Jr. prepare to join the Jacksonville Jaguars which is the same team that Elijah hoped would draft him. Alaina Guidry tells the story from her very own perspective as she writes in her journal.—

 

 

Join us for a   post-screening session with Dragonfly Mental Health, attendees will meet the founder and CEO, Wendy Ingram, PhD, who has spent the last 20 years researching biological and social influences on mental health and the last 10 years advocating for better mental health among University students, faculty and staff.  Join us with questions about the film, "A Stretch to Love", or general questions about mental health and illness in the college setting.  *Please be advised that Dragonfly Mental Health is not a healthcare organization and does not provide clinical support or advice.  

 

About Dragonfly Mental Health :

Dragonfly Mental Health is a nonprofit dedicated to cultivating excellent mental health among academics worldwide.  There is a mental illness epidemic among academics with graduate students reported to have 6-8 times the rates of depression and anxiety compared with the general public.  College and graduate school is often extremely high pressure, can be lonely or isolating, and that combination with biological factors and life events may precipitate conditions like depression, substance abuse, and even lead to suicide.  Dragonfly Mental Health is a by academics, for academics organization that believes that every person, regardless of their identity or circumstances, deserves to pursue higher education without sacrificing their mental health to do so.  We provide students, faculty and staff at Universities around the world with evidence based education and skills training on mental health as well as share lived experiences through storytelling to reduce the huge amount of stigma around mental illness and seeking care.  

 

About CEO/Founder Wendy Ingram