Basking Ridge Local Combats Mental Health Issues, Starts Inspirational Bracelet Business

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — It's more than just jewelry for Robyn Sabel. The Basking Ridge resident started Buttercup & Joy, a bracelet business, in January that offers inspirational messages to help those suffering from depression and anxiety.

The purpose was to give people the "little reminder that they need. And also donate a part of every sale to the NAMI the National Alliance on Mental Illness," said Sabel.

According to NAMI, 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year. In New Jersey, 1.112 million adults have a mental health condition.

"Mental health is a big issue for everybody. Now it has become more prevalent as there are mental health issues for everyone dealing with the 2020 pandemic," said Sabel.

According to NAMI, more than half of Americans report that COVID-19 has had a negative impact on their mental health. In February 2021, 42.2 percent of adults in New Jersey reported symptoms of anxiety or depression.

"When everyone was stuck at home at the beginning of the pandemic we were all focused on what we lost and the unknown of the situation was giving everyone so much anxiety," said Sabel. "I wanted to share hope with other people."

One good thing about the pandemic is that it helped to shed light on these issues and the stigma surrounding mental health.

"People are starting to talk about it more," said Sabel. "They are coming up from the shadows and people aren't as embarrassed to talk about it."

Sabel became involved in the mental health community two years ago when someone she knew was suffering from depression and anxiety. She wrote poems following the person, who she named Lucy, and her journey.

"The poems are kind of light-hearted. Yeah, you can have these struggles and you can come out of it," said Sabel.

Sabel pulls excerpts from these poems along with new inspirational messages to attach to her handmade bracelets.

Each bracelet is made of a quartz stone set in a sterling silver bracelet and comes with a card featuring an inspirational message related to mental health. Topics include Courage, Creativity, Friendship, Gratitude, Healing, Hope, Love, New Beginnings, Resilience and Strength. Coming soon are Tranquility and Together in honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month in May.

Sabel's favorite inspirational saying and bracelet is "Gratitude" which includes a Labradorite gemstone and the message, "Some days it’s a challenge finding the win. Believe me, I know. But if you can find a little something to be grateful for, it can change your whole day. If my friend Lucy can do it, so can you."

The bracelets are available online at buttercupandjoy.com and now also at The Rebecca Collection in Bernardsville and The Rock Box in Morristown.

For more information follow Buttercup & Joy at facebook.com/ButtercupAndJoy or instagram.com/buttercupandjoy.

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