Dear Dr.

Perez,

Every 1 in 5 teens in the U.S. struggle with mental disorders, many of which are afraid to speak out
about how they feel because many teenagers who do not struggle with these illnesses romanticize them
because they are uneducated about mental health. It is also found as taboo to portray what it is actually
like to struggle with these debilitating disorders in movies and television shows so these teens want to
embody these characters who are portrayed to sugarcoat depression and anxiety. Having this club
would allow students to be educated on such subjects and allow students to open up about their
struggles in life. Giving them the opportunity to make friends and help each other with various coping
mechanisms. This would allow for us to grow together and become stronger together. As someone who
struggles with PTSD and depression, I know what it is to feel alone in the world, but not every battle has
to be fought alone in this crazy word we live in.

Thank you,

Emily McCoy