YOUTHWELL VOICES

My involvement in youth mental health advocacy is deeply rooted in my own lived experience with mental illness, which has given this work profound personal meaning. I have been driven by a desire to turn my pain into purpose and to help others find their light, too. This began with co-founding a mental health club at my high school, where I found my voice in mental health advocacy and supported my peers to make our school community a more positive and welcoming place. A pivotal moment in my advocacy journey was when I shared my story of how mental illness rocked my childhood in NAMI New Hampshire’s Magnify Voices Expressive Arts Contest. I won the People’s Choice Award for my essay, and this flipped a switch in my brain. My story really resonated with people and could help inspire change. This motivated me to pursue advocacy more intentionally. Since then, I have volunteered with YouthWell NH, where I’ve had the opportunity to speak across the state about youth mental health and share my perspective. I also became involved with Connor’s Climb Foundation as a Youth Ambassador, developing leadership skills while promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Building on this work, I launched YouthWell Voices, an initiative that brings students together from across New Hampshire to share resources, discuss challenges, and collaborate on efforts to reduce stigma and raise awareness about mental health in schools and communities. I have been honored to watch this group grow and see the change we have been able to make across our state. I believe that we all have the power to make a difference, and through these experiences, my passion for helping others has only been enriched, and encouraged me to spend the rest of my life doing so.

Through speaking opportunities, such as the Dartmouth Health Political Drivers of Health Symposium or the Communities that Care: Youth Voices in Mental Health conference, I have the privilege to present my youth perspective to adult audiences of health professionals, educators, and mental health personnel. I am always inspired to see how much adults want to hear from youth about the change that can be made in our society, especially in the mental health world. Youth mental health is often misunderstood, so helping adults understand the realities of the struggles youth face and the stigma surrounding mental health from a youth perspective not only raises awareness but also leads to change on both large and small scales.

A reminder from my dad that got me through the most difficult times of my life was understanding that life goes in waves. Your challenges today won’t be your challenges next week, next month, or even a year from now. Always look for the light and even the smallest moments of joy, and know that people will always be there to listen and support you. It’s important to remind your people that you love them and you’re there for them, too!

Something that always gives me hope is being surrounded by so many other young people and adults who are passionate about mental health and making a difference. We are all in this together, and the efforts we make every day to destigmatize mental health, promote wellbeing, and treat others with more compassion and kindness truly do add up; we are capable of making the world a better place!

Newfound Lake!

Seeing dogs, whether my own or someone else’s, always makes me happy!