Peer Leader:
Elizabeth Z. || Illinois, USA
EMAIL
Blog Piece: A Letter to a Friend Trying to Comprehend My Mental Illness

First off, I think that this website is a great platform and its mission is so purposeful and impactful! I am currently a junior Psychology major in college and I am on the board of directors for a mental health awareness, education, and advocacy group (Mind Matters, http://mindmatters.sites.yale.edu). Our group shares the same values and goals that TeenzTalk does, which is why I'm excited to get involved as a Peer Leader! I think that raising dialogue around mental illness is critical in decreasing its stigma, and starting this dialogue early (i.e. in teens and young adults) is crucial. Often times, mental health gets overlooked or minimized even though it's one of the biggest factors of our wellbeing. So increasing awareness would help legitimize the importance of mental health and self-care. Also, most people are unaware of the resources available to them regarding their mental health, or they don't seek help because they are afraid their peers will view them differently. As a Peer Leader, I look forward to helping increase education and dialogue around mental health, and I will spread knowledge on how to achieve a higher level of wellbeing. I want to encourage healthy habits and inspire people to reach their highest attainable level of wellness.