I Was There Too: Why Mental Health Awareness Month Matters So Deeply to MyT

Each May, during Mental Health Awareness Month, we shine a spotlight on something we should be talking about every day: the emotional well-being of our young people. For me, this month is personal. Not just because I work in the field of resilience and youth well-being, but because I was one of those kids who struggled in silence.

Behind the smile and good grades, I battled undiagnosed depression and anxiety from an early age. As young as first grade, I was labeled “overly sensitive” and “emotionally young.” In high school and college, I wore a mask of athleticism and achievement—but inside, I doubted everything about myself. I feared failure so much it felt paralyzing. And I know I’m not alone.

According to the 2023 CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey:

• 42% of high school students reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless during the past year.
• 1 in 5 youth seriously considered attempting suicide.
• Rates of anxiety and depression have sharply increased among children and adolescents, especially since the pandemic.

These numbers aren’t just statistics. They’re reflections of the pain so many young people carry—often silently.

Together, we can change this!

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we are sharing The Youth Thriving Toolkit — available to everyone, completely free for the month of May.

Whether you lead one conversation or a month-long campaign, your actions can shift how youth see themselves and how supported they feel. Your effort—big or small—matters.

Take Action

So this May, take a moment to:

1. Start a conversation—with a young person, a peer, or yourself
2. Download the Youth Thriving Toolkit
3. Help us change the story from one of struggle to one of strength

I was one of those kids who suffered in silence. Today, MyT is helping build a world where asking for help is safe, encouraged, and celebrated—and where every young person feels truly seen, heard and valued.

Thank you for being part of a community that’s changing the way we think about—and support—our young people across the state. Together, we can make sure every child knows they matter.