By: Hunter Mylek
Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself?
A: Hello there! My name is Breanna Stewart. I am a junior at GVSU studying Psychology and Statistics. I am hoping to become an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist. I have found a passion for creating and finding areas of improvement and change. This career and path of study allows me to do exactly that. On campus, I am also the President of More Than a Meal, Event Coordinator and Historian of Psi Chi, and the Panhellenic Delegate of Sigma Kappa.
Q: How did There Is Always Room For You begin and what inspired this idea?
A: The story begins my freshman year of high school. In my hometown, we lost many students to suicide throughout my high school career and into my freshman year of college. Especially during the height of COVID-19 when kids were feeling alone. I really sat on the idea that nowadays mental health is shamed and not talked about within the educational systems. This infuriated me and I knew I had to do something about it. I had to start using my voice to emulate this change I have the greatest desire to see. But how could I do this? At least try, try to put my message out there, then MAYBE I would be lucky enough to touch at least one person. Once that thought came to my brain on July 26th 2021, the flood gates opened and I was ready to start on this new endeavor.
Q: Your blog is extremely inspiring. Why did you feel it was important to create a safe place like this to spread kindness and personal stories?
A: I found what I felt the world was missing and I created it. I have seen the spirals children are placed into when they feel ignored and not heard. I have been affected by mental health disorders, almost my whole life, and not feeling heard put me into the scariest of places. Being that safe space for others to talk to, or even look towards when they are feeling down is putting something into this world that I had never had myself. To touch one person, to get the conversation at one house, to give someone even a glimpse of hope, was all I could ever wish for.
Q: I know you recently designed sweatshirts, where all the proceeds are going to the Jed Foundation. Can you talk more about this?
A: The idea of the sweatshirts came around when I wanted to take a further step to spread my message. The website and blog was step one but how could I reach a larger audience? How could I get the conversation moving? Sweatshirts did exactly that. It is a two for one honestly, I can spread awareness while still giving back to an organization that has all the capabilities to disperse their resources across the nation. It was hard to choose an organization. However, once I came across the Jed Foundation, I felt that all they stood for was exactly my goals as an individual and what I had hoped for in regards to There Is Always Room For You
Q: Can you talk about what you hope to achieve with There Is Always Room For You and what the future will hold for the blog?
A: My goal is to keep moving in the direction I am currently with even greater strides. I hope to one day integrate my ideas in schools starting as young as elementary school. Whether it is posters with my message or speaking to schools about my thoughts, one day this message will be larger than I could’ve ever imagined in the beginning.
Q: What would you tell someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
A: Find something you are passionate about and RUN WITH IT. Once I saw the problem of poor mental health awareness within the younger generations I became passionate about making a difference. While there are uphill battles or judgements thrown your way, stay true to yourself and the outcome will be much bigger than you could have ever imagined. That is the beauty of life. With pure intentions and extreme passion, the opportunities are endless. You can do it, and there is nothing that anyone can say or do that can stop you. Stick with it, in the end, you will be forever grateful, just as I am.
To support There Is Always Room For You follow her on Instagram and check out the online blog!
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