Mental Health Awareness Month
As you might know, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Before it ends, I wanted to share a story about someone I have had the pleasure of knowing, who made and continues to make an impact on my life through her story: Miss McKenna. I first met McKenna when she became a part of the AHP family! She was a member of our 2020 Model Team class and had her senior pictures taken by me at Stadium High. Throughout her time in high school, she was a start student and athlete, a trend which she continues in college at USD!
Creating Safe Spaces
Every day, I have the pleasure of working with brilliant young women. Young women who are about to graduate high school and take on the world! Behind their gorgeous, smiling faces that I love to capture and share with you all, each one of them is dealing with their own struggles and hardships. Ones that we may or may not know about. My goal as a senior photographer is not only to help these girls feel beautiful on the outside but on the inside too! Part of that endeavor is creating a safe space where they feel they can be themselves. Where they can talk about shared experiences: both happy and difficult.
McKenna’s Story
Each time we open up and share, we help more people than we know. Which allows the stigma surrounding mental health to fall apart. Our shared stories make way for a network of support and build a community that can help our daughters, sons, and entire families. I am so happy that McKenna allowed me to share her story with you. I hope it can spread awareness to other student-athletes who are struggling with PTSD or other mental health concerns. Please keep reading below to hear McKenna’s story, in her own words, about her experience with mental health and PTSD. Remember, no one fights alone.
