“It’s okay to not be okay,” said Michael Clifford. In this generation, there is such a stigma around mental health and substance use. As I grew up, I’ve never wanted to be associated with alcohol, vapes, etc. My whole life, I looked forward to being in high school and the opportunities it would hold for me and my future. STAND shows a student how to grow themselves. It gives me a place of comfort.
Being the oldest sibling, I’ve always felt the need to not only take care of my siblings but also my friends. During my last middle school year, this group came in to give me a presentation called STAND. I had never heard of this group before, except for posters I had seen around the school. In this presentation, members w presented the effects of substance use and mental health.

At the end of the presentation, the high school students mentioned that I could join the STAND Regional Board. It gave me a leadership opportunity and a way to make new connections, and I found a place where I belong. I decided to go for it, and I applied for the board. I soon got an email asking to do an interview. At the end of the summer, I looked at my email and saw a letter sent from Rachael EngleDowl telling me congratulations, I made it on the board.

I am now in my second year on the board, and I love it more than ever. I get the opportunity to do the same as the high school students did for me. When I give presentations or give my elevator pitch to other peers, it reminds me every time of the effects of substance use and how mental health can affect a student. I believe that all students are valuable and that you can achieve something amazing. I want you to feel the need to take care of yourself and stay motivated to keep yourself healthy. Being around positive people can influence you to be a positive person, and being around negative people can influence you to be a negative person.

Creating a positive space is what I want to give people when they are around me. I want other STAND members to make a difference and reach the students that my high school years couldn’t reach. Make those connections with your peers. Take the opportunities that are given to you to reach your fullest potential.