We wanted to shine a light on mental health struggles that often go unnoticed and to dispel harmful stereotypes about mental illness.
The Unspoken Epidemic
Brighter Days: A Mental Health Awareness Collection
Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us that our minds deserve as much care as our bodies. In the multimedia collection "Brighter Days" Girls Write Now writers and artists take us on a journey of introspection. Through writing, talk, and relationship, these young writers learn to carve a path through anxiety and depression.
COLLECTION CURATED BY MORAYO FALEYIMU. FEATURED ART DESIGNED BY MORAYO FALEYIMU.
Cracks of Sunshine
This piece is about my struggle with depression and mental health.
The lies he lives
In a world where showing sadness is seen as a weakness, we are often forced to conceal it. We hide the pain behind the smiles, but what happens when somebody watches us do so.
Morning Routine
A young girl of color is having a hard time educating her religious mother about the depression she silently struggles with.
Green Tea. Hot. Mint With Honey.
My piece, “Green Tea. Hot. Mint With Honey” is a reflective personal narrative about a specific vulnerable period of time in my young life.
anxiety
At one time or another, we’ve all experienced loneliness and/or anxiety. Now more than ever, teenagers are constantly being mentally attacked and feel like there is no way out. I want to show that although times get rough and people leave, you will always be permanent in your own life and battles against anxiety, loneliness, and any other mental disease. The only way out is through. Fight for your happiness because you deserve it.
Begin at the Beginning
I decided to focus on bringing awareness to mental health, which is a topic that means a lot to me. I want to bring voice to those who have felt silenced. My work is titled “Begin at the Beginning” because sometimes that is what we have to do. It was also the title of a favorite childhood book of mine.
Warm Milk
I knew that it wasn’t a good reality. I knew it the first time it happened, and the second time, and the third time.
Hey, It’s Me
This piece was inspired by my desire to be upfront about who I am as a person, and grow from the experiences that shaped me.
Opening Up
This year, Carlene and I have made it a resolution to begin opening up. I’m passionate about these pieces because they show our struggle asking for help, and how just a little effort can go a long way.