Shout Our Struggle: Mental Health Advocacy and Awareness
I identify with the 1 in 5 Americans who experience a mental illness each year. At seventeen, I survived anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. With support from my family, friends, therapy, and education, I gained the tools and confidence to manage my mental health and lead others in doing the same. I am an example of the fact that our struggles do not define us - they are our strengths. Over the past four years, my journey with Miss America has turned my story into action, shaping me into the advocate I once needed and empowering me to share my message of hope across the nation.
Shout Our Struggle gives a voice to survivors and uses storytelling, fundraising, and advocacy to inspire community action and build resilience.
Shout Our Struggle gives a voice to survivors and uses storytelling, fundraising, and advocacy to inspire community action and build resilience.
Storytelling
Shout Our Struggle is a platform that connects survivors and supporters to life-saving and life-changing education. My lived experience helps bridge the gap, allowing people to connect with the realities of mental health challenges.
Speaking Tour – Shout Our Struggle presentations have been given to over 1,500 students across the state of New Jersey. Sharing my journey from suicidal ideation to a fulfilling life, I combine education with experience, empowering students to seek help and support. We review how to ask for help, who to ask for help, and specific resources available nearby.
The Shout Our Struggle Podcast is a digital space for mental health conversations. It combats stigma, educates listeners, and shares personal stories. We’ve discussed anxiety, depression, motherhood, eating disorders, cultural stigmas, and men’s mental health. Overall, the goal of the SOS Podcast is to allow important mental health stories to reach people on a national level. Currently, Shout Our Struggle has been listened to in 10 states and four countries.
Speaking Tour – Shout Our Struggle presentations have been given to over 1,500 students across the state of New Jersey. Sharing my journey from suicidal ideation to a fulfilling life, I combine education with experience, empowering students to seek help and support. We review how to ask for help, who to ask for help, and specific resources available nearby.
The Shout Our Struggle Podcast is a digital space for mental health conversations. It combats stigma, educates listeners, and shares personal stories. We’ve discussed anxiety, depression, motherhood, eating disorders, cultural stigmas, and men’s mental health. Overall, the goal of the SOS Podcast is to allow important mental health stories to reach people on a national level. Currently, Shout Our Struggle has been listened to in 10 states and four countries.
Fundraising
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There are many great organizations working to provide resources and education to our communities. At Shout Our Struggle, one of our greatest priorities is ensuring that these organizations can continue their work with proper funding. We have fundraised for organizations such as Mental Health America, the Mental Health Association in New Jersey, and The Loveland Foundation. We are working to grow these efforts, specifically to fund Mental Health Trainings throughout the state of New Jersey.
The Wenonah Green Mile is hosted by Shout Our Struggle in Collaboration with the Wenonah Borough Mayor's Wellness Campaign. This event brings together the Wenonah community to connect neighbors to mental health resources and fundraise for the Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey. This year's Green Mile walk will take place on Saturday, May 10th at 11 am. Visit https://www.facebook.com/share/16Bt873RFG/ to sign up! |
Advocacy
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Community is at the heart of Shout Our Struggle. Partnering with state and national organizations to achieve actionable and tangible change is important to this mission.
With the Mental Health Association in New Jersey, I’ve volunteered, served on the Program Advisory Committee, and advocated for youth outreach. As a Mental Health First Aid USA ambassador and certified trainer, I’ve connected many—including those in the Miss New Jersey system—to this vital resource. Shout Our Struggle is currently working to revise legislation in the New Jersey General Assembly that affects the state of Student and Youth Mental Health. |
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Our Partner
