Pineapple Support, Adult Time Announce Short Film Highlighting Performer Mental Health Struggles

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Pineapple Support, the industry’s leading mental health non-profit, has announced the upcoming release of a short film, in collaboration with Adult Time, highlighting the hidden emotional pressures that adult performers face. The film features Ana Foxxx and Seth Gamble and was written and directed by Siouxsie Q and Michael Vegas.

“Pineapple Support is an essential organization for our production community and, once again, Adult Time is honored to join forces with them to create this powerful short film,” says Bree Mills, Chief Creative Officer of Adult Time. “My gratitude to Siouxsie Q and Michael Vegas for writing and directing this script and to Ana Foxxx and Seth Gamble for their impassioned work as our leads for this piece.”

Pineapple Support was founded by British performer Leya Tanit in 2018, after a string of losses in the adult industry from depression and other mental illnesses. The organization, which is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization in the United States, has so far connected over 8,000 adult performers to mental health services, including free and low-cost, therapy, counseling, and emotional support.

“Many are struggling to manage challenging emotions as a result of stigma, shadowbanning, and the many other pressures that performers face today.”

“Despite the sometimes glamorous portrayal of performers in our industry, it is not always the case behind the scenes,” says Tanit. “Many are struggling to manage challenging emotions as a result of stigma, shadowbanning, and the many other pressures that performers face today. I’m incredibly grateful to Adult Time for partnering with us on this project and we hope it will help to encourage people to seek help when they are struggling.”

The trailer of the short film will debut at AVN and XBIZ 2023, with the full-length version being released on Adult Time on January 19, 2023.  Any adult performers seeking mental health support and therapy can visit Pineapple Support for more information.

Pineapple Support Welcomes Shirley Lara as Company Treasurer

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Pineapple Support, the industry’s leading mental health non-profit, welcomes Shirley Lara, COO of Chaturbate, as Company Treasurer. Chaturbate has been a major sponsor of Pineapple Support since 2019, and has been active in partnering with the organization on initiatives to support adult industry workers.

“I’m beyond thrilled to be a part of Pineapple Support in any capacity, but especially as the new treasurer of such an important organization,” says Shirley Lara, Chief Operating Officer at Chaturbate and Pineapple Support’s Company Secretary. “Pineapple Support provides so many mental health services to anyone in the industry who needs them, that it’s an honor to be a part of such an amazing group.”

Lara joined Chaturbate shortly after its launch in 2011. She is responsible for creating the platform’s community feel and is active in supporting charitable groups and organizations, such as the adult industry’s Women in Adult outreach organization, which works to empower and support women that work in the adult industry.

“Shirley is a vital force in our industry, and I’m proud to have her serve with us in a more official role,” says Leya Tanit, founder and CEO of Pineapple Support. “She brings an incredible vitality and professionalism to everything she touches, and I look forward to working more closely with her at Pineapple.”

Tanit founded Pineapple Support in 2018, after a string of losses in the adult industry from depression and other mental illnesses. The organization, which is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization in the United States, has so far connected over 8,000 adult performers to mental health services, including free and low-cost, therapy, counseling, and emotional support.

To learn more about becoming a member of Pineapples United, the membership club for members of the adult industry, please click here.

If you have a business and want to become an official sponsor of Pineapple Support, please click here.

Understanding You

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Sometimes we all have to stop for a moment and remember that the world is full of other people. We do not exist alone. The pandemic has forced some people into a world of isolation and loneliness which the world hasn’t seen for a very long time.

The more time we spend on our own the easier it is to forget that others are also potentially going through similar struggles both emotionally and physically. A simple “Hello”, or a brief “You ok?” message can mean the world to those in need of company.

Isolation cane very damaging as beneath it all humans are social creatures who require the presence of others, on an almost daily basis. Whilst we all like that time alone where we can treat ourselves to a candlelit bath, or movie with a glass of wine and a blanket, we do need to be with others.

Negative Effects Of Lockdown

Lockdown had so many effects on individuals and families. Some rediscovered the delights of what family and friends really mean. The internet was our saviour as video calls and messaging became ever present on a daily basis. However, others found the enforced closeness with family very hard to deal with.

Working from home became the norm. cats, dogs and children popping on work Zoom calls created internet sensations for some. Whereas those not used to this closeness found it very difficult to cope.

None more so, than those working int he adult sector. The income which their job provided and the interaction with other people was suddenly removed. This left a huge void financially and emotionally. The times spent alone seem to become more devoid of emotions as each day pass.

Sharing is Caring

A number of companies took this opportunity to create  forums and online groups for their workers to communicate with each other. Zoom meetings often started with a brief summary of your weekend activities, or nightly Netflix binge (without spoilers of course). This allows people to interact in a more personal way , giving them the chance to feel more connected to each other.

Time can be a great healer but it also gives us scope to really get to understand who we really are. Although difficult for some, being alone does give us the opportunity to discover and understand ourselves on a deeper level. Once we allow ourselves to accept the bad as well as the good, it’s much easier to work on the negative aspects.

Being Honest

Let’s be honest, if someone calls you lazy, or careless, our immediate reaction is one of defensiveness and feeling hurt. However, oftentimes in reality we know what they have said was true. Perhaps this is where the saying “you always hurt the one you love” comes from. It’s certainly relevant and in some ways designed to help is better ourselves.

Self improvement can only come if we are able to determine those things which do require some work or adjustments. A common way of dealing with this is to remember that there ae ma y people much worse off than we may be. Placing the focus on what the actual problem is can allow us to ascertain exactly how the issue fits into the grand scheme of things.

Kindness Patience and Tolerance

We do all need to take time for ourselves, indulge in our own inner beauty. If you are reading this I hope you are already thinking of the best parts of your soul and how you can improve other parts. Helping others and listening to what they are trying to say is key to seeing the beauty within. Being kind, patient and tolerant ae crucial assets which allows you to embrace life and everything that comes your way, good or bad.

It’s good to remember that;

Kindness is important

Patience is a virtue

Tolerance is essential

with love from,

Carla Sez

Pineapple Support Unveils New Initiatives in Latin America

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Pineapple Support, the adult industry’s leading mental health nonprofit, is increasing its support for Spanish-speaking performers in Latin America with a free, drop-in support group, as well as the appointment of a localized Community Liaison Officer.

The monthly, drop-in support group, “WeCamToo Support Group,” will provide emotional support to webcam models and other sex workers in the digital space within Latin America and will be taught in Spanish by Pineapple Support therapist Yiset Mosquera Moreno. The group is free for Spanish-speaking performers in Latin America and will take place entirely online on the first Monday of each month, at 11AM PT.

Pineapple Support has appointed Moreno with the role of Community Liaison Officer for the Spanish-speaking adult community in Latin America. The newly appointed CLO will act as a localized, approachable, and trusted source of information for performers that want to know more about working with the organization.

“In my experience as a therapist working with sex workers – and considering the social stigma and emotional pressure that constantly rests on their shoulders, this line of work can often be pretty isolating,” says Moreno. “I’m proud to represent Pineapple Support within the adult community in Latin America, as well as helping to remove some of the barriers to performers here getting access to the essential mental health services they need.”

“Considering the social stigma and emotional pressure that constantly rests on their shoulders, this line of work can often be pretty isolating…”

Pineapple Support was founded by British performer Leya Tanit in 2018, after a string of losses in the adult industry from depression and other mental illnesses. The organization, which is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization in the United States, has so far connected over 8,000 adult performers to mental health services, including free and low-cost, therapy, counseling, and emotional support.

“With so much of the industry based in South America, it’s critical that we expand our services there,” says Tanit. “With this group, we’ll create a safe space for Spanish-speaking webcam models – and all sex workers in the digital world – to feel understood, receive emotional support, and share their experiences with each other.”

The ongoing, monthly drop-in “WeCamToo Support Group” will take place entirely online on the first Monday of each month, at 11AM PT / 2PM ET / 7PM GMT / 8PM CET.

For more information about this support group and to reserve a place, visit our support groups page.

Anyone interested in finding out more about Pineapple Support and its services in Latin America, which also offers support groups, webinars, and other events, can contact Yiset Mosquera Moreno directly by email: yiset.mosquera@correounivalle.edu.co.

Camming, Performing and living with Chronic Illness

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Chronic illnesses are conditions that are discussed by many, and yet somehow also overlooked and misunderstood. Emotional and mental health are often forgotten as part of the treatment when someone lives with a chronic illness, yet it is one of the most impactful supports on someone’s health trajectory. Additionally, when there is a present mental health care provider, they may not specialize, understand, or implement one’s chronic illness into a discussion on emotions and behaviors. In the adult industry, chronic illness is experienced by many, but in a broader sense, some feel, “swept under the rug.” An anonymous cam performer shares: “I feel like its taboo. This field is about bodies and experiencing pleasure, and yet when it comes to someone who is visibly or invisibly ill, we can be forgotten or cast out because we don’t fit the mold.” When chronically ill and in a physical industry, it is imperative to find support, like-minded performers, and sites that promote appropriate visibility and care. Concerns of feeling ostracized, pushed to the margins, “less than” other performers, fetishized, or bullied are valid and real. It is imperative to understand that society works as it is intended to, which currently is for those that are able-bodied and in industries that aren’t considered “taboo.” It can be easy to throw in the towel and feel like support will never arrive, however, there are strong anti-ableism advocates, especially in the adult industry, who champion disabled bodies, their attraction, and their abilities. Lack of strength, body mass, libido, interest, and self-value/esteem can affect someone’s ability to feel successful in their work, relationships, and in the world. Chronic illnesses, when treated ineffectively or without mental health support, can lead to sexual dysfunctions that would affect all individuals, but especially those in the adult industry who rely on healthy functioning to complete their work and engage with others in their personal life. Thankfully, there are treatments, supports, and steps one can take to fight stigma, receive care, and feel like oneself again.

  1. Seek out support staff who are educated, informed, and champion their experience working with those both in the adult industry and those identifying as chronically ill.Although not all providers who label themselves as such will have the approach you are seeking, most providers label themselves with what they specialize in and should be able to follow through.
  2. If you feel discouraged, gaslit, diminished, or dismissed by a provider, if safe, let others know. Strengthen the community. Additionally, and most importantly, do not return to said provider unless absolutely necessary. The use of telehealth can provide increased equity and choice when seeking a new provider. Do not accept diminishment. The more times we feel let down or ignored, the less likely it is we will seek lifesaving care.
  3. Reach out to others in the adult industry with lived experience. Knowing you are not alone is a powerful feeling, and you may also end up with a new friend. Isolation can be common with chronic illness as many work from home or in more independent, controlled settings.
  4. Pursue mindfulness. Although mindfulness has been over-sold as a cure by many, don’t get caught up in the hype. Mindfulness is attuned presence and choosing to be the observer as opposed to the observed. Research shows building a new or different relationship with your pain can provide a sense of power, control, and hope, even when symptoms don’t subside considerably.
  5. Although it takes time and energy to do so, know that you and others with chronic illness are worth attention, time, care, and adaptive/accessible needs/tools/and skills. You are permitted to have access to that which provides comfort and makes life easier.

 

Although chronic illness can prove challenging and be a part of an intersectional, complex identity, know you are valid and deserving of appropriate, attuned, informed care. Be well!

From Rachael Wells, LMHC, EMDR-C/CIT, BC-TMH, RYT, QS

Stoptober Fundraising – Join The Band Wagon

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Firstly, I would like to put forward a huge congrats to the wonderful and amazing Leya Tanit. Her current fund raiser (although not unique) absolutely deserves your support. It’s nearing the end but also the time to join with the congratulations and show your appreciation by donating to an incredibly important cause.

October began with an announcement by Leya Tanit, the CEO of Pineapple Support.

“As someone who consistently promotes self/care, positive actions toward better mental health and well-being, it seemed fitting to hop on the #Stoptober band wagon and raise some funds to provide much needed mental health resources for persons working in the adult industry”.

Every single dollar donated can help someone in need and even the smallest amount makes a huge difference. If you’ve been helped, or know someone that would like to help, please pass on this important message.

Pineapple Support Fundraiser

The closing party weekend mid-month was always going to be the biggest challenge but in her words

“Well, I am pleased and extremely proud to say, I rose to the challenge. Indulging in the festivities while completely alcohol free. I have never consumed so much sparkling water, or visited the toilet so much during an event, but waking up the following mornings feeling fresh (and rather smug) definitely made it worthwhile”.

If you’ve got any ideas on raising funds and awareness of this incredible charity, please do get in touch as we’d love to hear from you!

Love from the Team x

When is Collaboration Better Than Competing?

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The answer is most likely, always!

Unless you are directly competing your skills against another for the purposes of sport or suchlike, we always make more progress when we work together. Sharing skills and knowledge in our everyday lives is so important to our evolution.

Throughout the ages, major breakthroughs have come about because an individual sought help with a problem. The saying ‘2 minds are better than one’, has never been truer in this case.

Collaborating not only allows you to share and pass on your knowledge to another but also prompts thoughts and processes that may not have crossed your mind previously. When we keep those little nuggets of info to ourselves, it produces selfish thoughts and negative feelings towards those around us. Sharing information can actually provide us with really positive energy. It makes us feel good and empowers the mind so that we feel useful to others.

Empowerment allows success

People mistake the meaning of empowerment, thinking that it always means something negative, where one person has power over another. It is in fact a lot more personal than that. It is the process of becoming stronger and more confident, so that we can take control of our lives. It enables an individual to represent their own interests in a responsible and self-determined way, whilst being able to act on their own authority.

It is possible for one person to become overwhelmed with the feeling of power and allow it to manifest into something which is selfish and ugly. The trick is to follow the fundamentals.

  • Respect the decisions others make about their lives
  • Try to always make other people feel comfortable enough to discuss their own feelings
  • Always be respectful and non-judgemental
  • Focus on abilities and strengths rather than admonishing weaknesses
  • Provide support and encouragement

Skill sharing

Offering to share your knowledge with others will always show you in the best light possible. It provides a feeling of openness and helps you to engage with others. Positivity is catching and spreads warmth and happiness to all those involved.

One of the best things about the internet is the ability to pass on skills and understanding to many, many people, most of whom you will never know personally. Although we tend to work better when we receive individual praise, positive acknowledgements from complete strangers are an incredible boost to our self-esteem.

Every day is a new one where we can all acquire a new talent or learn a new skill. It motivates the mind and conquers boredom and inactivity. Sharing that interest with others is one of the best ways to build friendships and bond.

How to collaborate

Collaboration could be as simple as picking up the phone and asking someone how their day has been, or you might text them, just to say hello. Nowadays, most of these partnerships are based in the virtual world. There are video, network, community, internal and external collaborations, all of which lead to a sharing of knowledge and the ability to achieve a goal.

This kind of work style was first officially recognised in the 1950’s. It allowed projects to be managed by more than one individual, rather than the previous method using one project manager and a Gantt chart. Companies quickly realised that allowing employees to work in this manner produced an efficient workforce which promoted growth and innovation for the company.

As individuals, this relatively simple way of sharing thoughts, skills and processes with others brings about a positive attitude and renews the hunger for learning.

Enjoying sharing

There’s nothing better in life than sitting down and sharing a glass of wine, or a cup of coffee or even a good movie with your bestie. It’s what seems to make us whole as a species. It gives a warm glow inside, and it provides a form of stability that you cannot get from anywhere else. That shared experience will be remembered for a very long time and gives treasured moments to draw upon whenever we need a little fix of feeling warm.

Passing on knowledge can result in those same warm feelings. Knowing that we have helped someone, passed on vital information and allowed them to grow as a person even more, is an amazing feeling.

Knowledge really does mean power when you use it in the best way possible.

Always remember ‘Sharing is Caring’ and ‘Caring is Sharing’.

The Beauty of Being You

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Of all the things happening in the world every, single day, the one feature you should always be able to rely upon is yourself. You are the constant in this ever-changing landscape and without a doubt the best opportunity you have for self-improvement.

When you spend much of your time in front of a camera, whether it be on your phone, webcam or a video shoot, it’s really easy to start picking fault with every little detail. This can often come to the forefront for those performers and models who have created an alternative persona for work. The fear of your mask slipping and showing the real you to the outside world is ever present.

Much of this worry is due to the constructs that society places on labels and what they mean. Your family and friends may object to your chosen career, or they may have absolutely no idea what your job entails. The further away your work persona is from the real you, the harder it is to remain in control.

Disguise or Reveal?

It’s a strange concept to understand and get your head around but in real life men don’t really prefer blondes. You only have to scan the first page of any of the popular Cam and Adult sites out there to discover that the reality is actually further away than you imagine.

One of the most popular Cam girls ever is a red head, another has a bust size of 28A, whilst another wears glasses while on cam, even though she has near perfect eyesight. More and more the top girls on Cam are not conforming to the stereotypical blonde with big fake tits look.

Shedding Light on the Secret You

So, what does this mean for you? It definitely allows you the freedom to be more natural and not feel the need to hide behind a wig and a face full of makeup. It gives you permission to spend far less time honing your skills with your fake persona. You get to take advantage of improving other talents, such as interacting and conversing with others.

You don’t need to go out and buy lots of expensive items of clothing and underwear if you don’t want to. Just ensure you feel comfortable in what you wear. If you’ve never worn stockings and suspenders before, don’t start now as you won’t look natural on camera. There’s nothing worse than someone who is more concerned about what they are wearing, than what they are actually doing on cam or during a photoshoot.

Your Daily Aims

If at all possible, try and stay focused and make sure you keep in touch with your loved ones and friends. It’s crucial to your state of being, so that each day has a focus and meaning. You don’t need to speak to everyone, every single day, nor wait until the weekend before reaching out. Don’t wait for people to contact you first, remember some people find opening up a bit of a struggle. They are also the ones who truly appreciate that you were thinking about them and made contact.

The same applies to your fans and contacts on Cam, the more you stay in touch by messaging and sending them updates about your day, the more they’ll be likely to remain loyal. Don’t stress out when they are short of cash and can’t spend it on you, it costs nothing to send them a short message and will gain their loyalty in the long run!

Be Good to Yourself

Everyone has bad days from time to time and if you are having a particularly awful day, it’s not something you should really be sharing with anyone other than your nearest and dearest. These are the times when you need to unwind, relax and give yourself a treat. It doesn’t have to be something which costs money.

You could try some Yoga, or Breathing exercises, or perhaps reward yourself to a nice cup of hot chocolate and a good book. The time you take to care for you, is crucial to your wellbeing. It will enable acceptance of your whole being with or without faults. You’ll feel differently about creating improvements to your mind and body and no longer feel that you have to punish yourself for those tiny faults you previously perceived as mountainous.

Pineapple Supports

Pineapple offers all types of support groups and resources for improving your mental health and overall wellbeing. There is no stigma, and the team are there specifically for online, adult sex workers, worldwide. There are webinars covering specific areas and events which aim to bring like-minded people together.

Remember, you are loved, we are listening, and you are not alone!

Pineapple Support, The Cupcake Girls To Host Event for World Mental Health Day 2022

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Pineapple Support, the adult industry’s leading mental health nonprofit, will host an in-person event to celebrate World Mental Health Day 2022, in collaboration with The Cupcake Girls, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting sex workers. The event is free and open to anyone working in the adult industry and will take place at The Cupcake Girls’ Las Vegas office on Monday, October 10th from 4pm to 7pm (PST).

Mental health professionals Monique Martihnez-Quiros and Michele Green will lead discussions about how best to navigate the adult industry, both professionally and mentally. Attendees will also be invited to discuss how the organization can strengthen its connection with the adult community. Food and refreshments will be provided and professional photographer Casey Jade will be offering free headshots for all who attend.

“Join us this World Mental Health Day to have your say on how we can do more to support the adult community in the future,” says Leya Tanit, Pineapple Support CEO and Founder. “We’re incredibly excited to partner with The Cupcake Girls on this event and we can’t wait to hear directly from you about how we can better support each other in our community.”

Tanit founded Pineapple Support in 2018, after a string of losses in the adult industry from depression and other mental illnesses. The organization, a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization in the United States, has so far connected over 8,000 adult performers to mental health services, including free and low-cost, therapy, counseling, and emotional support.

“After taking headshots with a professional photographer, we’ll sit down together for food, to have an intimate talk about what you feel is missing from the adult industry and what can be improved,” says Tanit. “We’ll also be welcoming questions about how our therapists can support you and your peers, as well as how we can support each other and create a stronger adult community on World Mental Health Day. This is your chance to have your say and influence the future of your industry.”

The World Mental Health Day event with The Cupcake Girls is free and open to anyone working in the adult industry and will take place at The Cupcake Girls’ Las Vegas office on Monday, October 10th from 4pm to 7pm (PST). For more information, location details and to reserve your place, please email kelly.boyett@thecupcakegirls.org.

Pineapple Support To Host ‘Interpersonal Effectiveness’ Support Group

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Pineapple Support, the adult industry’s leading mental health nonprofit, will host a free, online support group with a focus on dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) techniques that performers can use to improve interpersonal relationships. The seven-week support group, “DBT – Interpersonal Effectiveness” will be led by Pineapple therapist Sophia Graham and will begin on Thursday, October 6th at 2pm EST.

“This course invites you to reflect on the myths that hold you back in relationships and teaches you skills to be more assertive,” says Graham. “We will talk about how to prepare for difficult conversations by creating scripts and anticipating pushback. We’ll be using DBT techniques to develop the tools and strategies you can use to navigate all types of relationships in your life.”

“This course invites you to reflect on the myths that hold you back in relationships and teaches you skills to be more assertive”

Pineapple Support was founded by British performer Leya Tanit in 2018, after a string of losses in the adult industry from depression and other mental illnesses. The organization, which is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization in the United States, has so far connected over 8,000 adult performers to mental health services, including free and low-cost, therapy, counseling, and emotional support.

“Being able to approach difficult conversations with confidence, experience, and knowledge can be a real game changer,” says Tanit. “This support group is open to any performer that wants to learn some flexible and scientifically-supported DBT skills that will help you to have clearer communication and more fulfilling relationships.”

The seven-week “DBT – Interpersonal Effectiveness” support group begins on Thursday, October 6th from 2pm until 4pm EST. Sessions will last for around two hours and will take place online each Thursday at the same time until November 17th. For more information about this support group and to reserve a place, visit https://pineappleie.teachery.co/interpersonal-effectiveness-us.