Thank you.
I believe that society sends very contradicting messages to women: They should look pretty, but not too pretty; they should share their feelings, but not be too open; they're told to strive to be self-reliant and powerful, but simultaneously reminded that they are weak and inferior to men. This causes, as Sara mentioned, an internalizing of their feelings and negative comments towards themselves.
The stigmas regarding girls' mental health—as just being a teen, or full of hormones, or overreacting, or too emotional—are terribly damaging. In fact, women and girls attempt suicide one and a half to two times more often than men and boys.
Now, these women and girls who are struggling are not weak. They just need our support to pick themselves back up, just as I needed when I was told I was too sensitive, rather than anxious, or too intelligent to have depression after I tried to kill myself at 15, 16 and 17. I wasn't asking for big changes then. I just wanted someone to believe me and work with me to make it better.
I am here today to ask you to take action, but also to show you that I'm part of the solution. All girls are part of the solution. As an advocate for mental health, I am leading changes in my community and across the country—