October

The Wheel of Womanhood

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“This poem shares my experience of the trauma of growing up as a woman – being treated as less than, and knowing your rights wouldn’t be as compromised if you were born male. I wrote about the lack of justice that people born female face when entering the world and how the trauma and fear is passed on for generations. As someone who is gender nonconforming, I have always felt like the world has (and always will) treat me with less respect because of the body I was born in.”

Blossoming Identity

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“As a young closeted queer person, I often felt alone. However, once I finally got to high school, I saw all of these wonderful openly LGBTQ+ people who were happy to reach out their hand to me. They supported me as I came into my own identity and helped me gain the confidence to be out myself. Seeing them out and proud gave me such hope for the future.”

Are you ok?

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“All it takes is one message to ask if someone is ok. It may be hard to reach out, but in the end it will be worth it. I believe it’s important to share how we feel. We should feel no shame in telling our friends about our mental health.”

Persistence is Key

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“When you know your friend is struggling, you’ve got to be persistent. They may be afraid to ask for help or talk to someone about their problems. You’ve got to make them feel seen and let them know they can come to you and that they aren’t a problem. It’s never good to leave someone suffering. Always check up on them.”

Are You Alright

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“My entry is about how having someone check in on you can make you feel. For me, it has always given me hope that things will get better and reassured me that people care. For someone who is struggling with their mental health, someone who thinks they matter is the greatest gift. Reaching out to someone who struggles with their mental health can make them happy.”

I’m here for you

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“This submission is about a boy who is having a hard time with comments from the internet, and it’s taking a toll on his mental health. Then, his sister comes in to check on how he is doing; she wants her brother to know that she is there for him to talk to. I am the oldest of three siblings, and my brother and my sister and I have all been close ever since we were young. I always want them to come to me if they have problems.”

Coyote Corner

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“Our film highlights a unique spot at Buena Park High School. It’s more than just a room, it’s where we go when things get tough. Here, you’re never just another face in the crowd – you’re greeted, heard, and supported. It’s about the everyday reassurance that we’re not alone in this.”

Hey, Are you Ok?

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“A broken heart after a first love as an adolescent can be difficult for many. Adolescents experience a great deal of emotions and at times, don’t know how to manage them. They need to be reminded that they are not alone in this.”

The Light

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“The comic is about how helping someone can change a person’s life. It can also save someone from [taking their life] or help them with their mental health. The comic also shows how a helping hand can be the light to a person’s darkness – eventually, they could even become somebody else’s light.”