I never thought I'd be the one to stand before a crowd and speak. Strike that. I revel in a crowd.In all honesty, I like to hear myself speak. But I never thought I'd be the one to stand and speak in verse. Not carefully curated pros, but rather a story in lyrics.My own hand did compose. And as I stand and as I speak, forcing rhymes, knees so weak, I have this nagging sense you'll all soon be booing. For I fear I have absolutely no clue what I'm doing.I hadn't a clue what I was doing when I sat before a shr ...

Mental Health Advocacy & Personal Experience - The speaker shares her personal experience with anorexia nervosa, emphasizing the importance of raw feelings over labels and numbers [1][2] - The speaker highlights the universality of struggles, shame, and pain associated with mental health challenges [2] - The speaker emphasizes the importance of compassion, validation, and hope in supporting individuals battling mental health issues [3] - The speaker created a podcast, "Balancing Act: Life and Struggles of a Teenage Girl," to share her experiences and support others [4] - The podcast has reached thousands of downloads and featured interviews with experts and advocates in the mental health field [4] - The speaker emphasizes that the goal in healing isn't perfection, but connection and sharing authentic voices [5] - The speaker received a Hidden Hero Award from Project Blackbird for her advocacy in destigmatizing mental health [6] - The speaker advocates for sharing stories to empower others and encourages seeking help when needed [7] Community & Support - The speaker underscores that individuals are not meant to cope with pain alone [7] - The speaker highlights the transformative power of speaking up in a safe and empowered environment [7]