My entry for ‘You Are Never a Bother’ is a piece that is very personal to me. I was able to positively change someone’s life, and I asked that person how it made them feel. Receiving words of encouragement like “you are not a bother” really helped uplift them.
Moving to a new school in a different district was pretty hard at the start. I had gone to school with people I’ve known since kindergarten and all of a sudden I felt like I didn’t belong to any where. But one day I worked up enough courage to ask if I could eat lunch with girl in my orchestra class and it was the best decision. So, this is for my best friend who has lit up my world during these past difficult years.
I wrote about the worries of a person in need. I wrote what they think or might be thinking when they ask for help.
No matter what my friend is going through, I am here for them whenever and wherever, and they are never a bother.
My short video portrays the complex relationship I have with my parents as a transgender teenager. The end poem is a direct call out to the fact that my parents fully know that I’m trans, yet every time it is brought up in a conversation, they act as if it’s their first time hearing it. The film is an invitation to a party that I’ve planned for too long – one that only my parents are invited to.
You never know what someone is going through until they tell you, so this film/podcast gave me an opportunity to become closer with teammates, advisors, and friends – they trusted me enough to share their mental health, and I’m hoping other teens will want to share their mental health after watching this.
As a teen, sometimes it’s hard to be heard. This was a perfect opportunity to get the voices of teens who are often ignored out there.
Teens need mental health support so they won’t feel alone
As I’m growing up and becoming more independent, I’ve struggled with being overwhelmed by school, my commitments, and my busy schedule. I know my parents want to help me but don’t always know how. I want them to know that, because of all the things they have taught me and the values they have instilled in me, I don’t necessarily need them to do things for me, hold my hand through everything, and physically fix my problems for me. However, sometimes what would help me the most is for them to listen and understand. Sometimes, when I feel overwhelmed, I just want them to let me know that I’m on the right path and that they are proud of me.
With this PSA we wanted to reach out to adults and guardians in order to raise awareness towards the issues teens face. The PSA covers how teens experience and express anxiety and stress. Parents sometimes do not realize when their child is dealing with something despite the signs they may show.