Thank you, Chair.
Thank you to all the witnesses for their testimony today.
We can all acknowledge that, growing up, there are rapid development changes physically, and clearly, very deep emotional changes happen. For a lot of girls, this can be very exciting. For other girls, this is very daunting, confusing and uncomfortable. My first point is about why this is happening and what some examples are. Then I'll get to my actual question.
As parents, aunts and grandparents, I think we need to be watching for social cues. We need to be watching for how they're eating and how they're sleeping. We need to be watching for patterns with their relationships with other girls, with coaches, with parents, with other adults, with teachers, with themselves, with food and with their social media. Self-esteem and body image are huge. There are bullying, pressures, trends, drinking, smoking and cyber addiction. This is not news to any of you.
In the midst of my comments, I'd like to acknowledge you, Mégane Jacques, because I think it's brilliant that you are here speaking with us. Thank you for being open. I agree that being part of the solution is paramount. In my opinion, youth are the most important people to be talking about this. My one question for you would be this: Do you feel that there are enough youth actually involved in being part of the solution?
Second, taking the mom hat off and putting on the hat of the legislator, I think there was a comment made by Ms. Austin with regard to new budgets, promises made and nothing being done. To me, that's the disturbing part. It's brilliant that we're all here talking about it, but it's pathetically alarming if all we do is talk about it and not actually do anything about it.
My question, perhaps to Sara as well, is with regard to prevention and intervention. What specific mediums are we using to get to these young adults and actually help them?
Thank you.