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Will deliver speech tonight on mental health and the power of accepting help
June 7, 2022 – Seneca High School student Laura Perez wants her peers to know “it’s ok not to be ok.”
Tonight, she will share her passionate, personal message on mental health with youth across the United States as one of 10 finalists selected to perform at the Soapbox Nation Challenge.
Perez, a rising senior who has struggled with her mental health since she was young, talked about the power of sharing your feelings with others and accepting help in a class assignment this spring.
“I used to think that not bothering others would be better,” Perez said. “But embracing the way I felt while also accepting the support that I was being offered by my family and loved ones, that’s what made it better. That’s what made me get better.”
Her teacher, Brandon Riddle (US History), had asked Perez's class to write a speech about something they’re passionate about. Perez decided to open up about her own bouts with mental health to help others through their tough times. She now encourages everyone to reach out and accept help.
Riddle entered Perez’s speech into Soapbox Nation, and she was selected as one of the finalists.
The live, online Soapbox Nation Challenge forum will take place tonight, June 7, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. This free, virtual event is open to anyone. Register here to attend.
“I’m very glad that they’re allowing youth to come out and to speak up for what they believe in and for what they think is right, and to voice out what they think is wrong, too,” Perez said. “I just think it’s great that they’re letting us be part of the society we live in and we participate in as kids.”