Let's talk mental health on the Miss NJ USA stage
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Help me bring Mental Health Awareness to the Miss New Jersey USA stage!
November 24th of this year would have been my mom’s 55th birthday, but suicide took her away from us eight years ago.
After my mom’s death, I made the decision to use my story to educate others about the importance of mental health awareness and suicide prevention, both in the United States and in Venezuela. It is a cause dear to my heart and what I believe to be my mission in life.
As Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2014, and youth spokesperson for the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County, I had the opportunity to visit middle schools and high schools all over the state, and share my story of grief, reflection, self discovery, and hope, with the students, parents and school personnel.
While representing the state of New Jersey at the Miss Teen USA pageant in the Bahamas, I was able to share with the thousands of guests and news outlets what had happened to my mother. I remember the public’s loud gasp and the tension in the air after I mentioned the word “suicide”. It was like I had said a forbidden word. It made me realize we still have a long way to go when it comes to normalizing mental illness. If people are not ready to hear the word “suicide”, how can we pretend to care about the issue and those who suffer from mental illness? Most importantly, if we cannot even bring ourselves to talk about the word, what kind of message are we sending to people who struggle with suicidal thoughts?
For the past five years I have focused on my studies, my passion for philanthropy and on building my career as a bilingual journalist and TV and radio producer. I had the opportunity to work for CNBC as a Digital Video, Strategic Content, and Assignment Desk intern for three semesters. And for my last semester of undergrad, I made the transition from CNBC to Telemundo47 where I am working as a news intern.
But in the past five years I have also come to realize many things about the circumstances around my mom’s death. Like the role society played in her final decision, the issue of delayed diagnosis, the lack of knowledge people have about treatment options and access to them. This realization has compelled me with a sense of urgency to change the way mental health and mentally ill people are perceived and judged by our society.
I believe this is a crucial time: the suicide epidemic has ended too many lives, which is why I have decided to participate and use the Miss New Jersey USA pageant as a platform to promote awareness.
This year, the pageant will be held on November 24th, which “coincidentally” happens to be the day my mom would be turning 55 had she not died by suicide. With your help, I hope to honor her by sharing our story with the people of New Jersey.
If chosen Miss New Jersey USA 2020, I would use the title to continue my work as a mental health advocate, elevating the conversation to a national platform on the Miss USA stage. By cultivating an environment of acceptance and support, we could foster healing and hope in the hearts of millions of people.
But I can’t do it alone. I need YOU to help me get to the Miss New Jersey USA stage. The sponsorship is necessary to help cover the costs of the pageant weekend, such as hotel rooms, meals for three days, production costs, etc. My top sponsors will be recognized in the Official State Program and in press coverage.
I sincerely hope you will choose to celebrate this event with me and bring awareness to mental health, while receiving some valuable advertising and community exposure for yourself.
Let’s break the stigma. Let’s have an honest conversation about mental health.
November 24th of this year would have been my mom’s 55th birthday, but suicide took her away from us eight years ago.
After my mom’s death, I made the decision to use my story to educate others about the importance of mental health awareness and suicide prevention, both in the United States and in Venezuela. It is a cause dear to my heart and what I believe to be my mission in life.
As Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2014, and youth spokesperson for the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County, I had the opportunity to visit middle schools and high schools all over the state, and share my story of grief, reflection, self discovery, and hope, with the students, parents and school personnel.
While representing the state of New Jersey at the Miss Teen USA pageant in the Bahamas, I was able to share with the thousands of guests and news outlets what had happened to my mother. I remember the public’s loud gasp and the tension in the air after I mentioned the word “suicide”. It was like I had said a forbidden word. It made me realize we still have a long way to go when it comes to normalizing mental illness. If people are not ready to hear the word “suicide”, how can we pretend to care about the issue and those who suffer from mental illness? Most importantly, if we cannot even bring ourselves to talk about the word, what kind of message are we sending to people who struggle with suicidal thoughts?
For the past five years I have focused on my studies, my passion for philanthropy and on building my career as a bilingual journalist and TV and radio producer. I had the opportunity to work for CNBC as a Digital Video, Strategic Content, and Assignment Desk intern for three semesters. And for my last semester of undergrad, I made the transition from CNBC to Telemundo47 where I am working as a news intern.
But in the past five years I have also come to realize many things about the circumstances around my mom’s death. Like the role society played in her final decision, the issue of delayed diagnosis, the lack of knowledge people have about treatment options and access to them. This realization has compelled me with a sense of urgency to change the way mental health and mentally ill people are perceived and judged by our society.
I believe this is a crucial time: the suicide epidemic has ended too many lives, which is why I have decided to participate and use the Miss New Jersey USA pageant as a platform to promote awareness.
This year, the pageant will be held on November 24th, which “coincidentally” happens to be the day my mom would be turning 55 had she not died by suicide. With your help, I hope to honor her by sharing our story with the people of New Jersey.
If chosen Miss New Jersey USA 2020, I would use the title to continue my work as a mental health advocate, elevating the conversation to a national platform on the Miss USA stage. By cultivating an environment of acceptance and support, we could foster healing and hope in the hearts of millions of people.
But I can’t do it alone. I need YOU to help me get to the Miss New Jersey USA stage. The sponsorship is necessary to help cover the costs of the pageant weekend, such as hotel rooms, meals for three days, production costs, etc. My top sponsors will be recognized in the Official State Program and in press coverage.
I sincerely hope you will choose to celebrate this event with me and bring awareness to mental health, while receiving some valuable advertising and community exposure for yourself.
Let’s break the stigma. Let’s have an honest conversation about mental health.
Organizer
Valentina Sanchez
Organizer
Asbury Park, NJ