From Damsel in Distress to Superhero: The Making of a Teen Mental Health Advocate For Students

The Self-Driven Child

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If you've ever felt like the challenges of school, stress, and expectations are just too much, you’re not alone. In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Riana Alexander, a college freshman and mental health advocate, who turned her own struggles into a movement for change. Riana opens up about her journey—from a high-achieving student battling anxiety and depression to the founder of Arizona Students for Mental Health, a nonprofit dedicated to improving mental health resources in schools. We also dive into her fight for change within her school district, the resistance she faced, and the powerful impact she and her peers have made.

We also discuss the misconceptions around mental health, the role schools should play in student well-being, and how adults can better support struggling teens. If you’re a student, a parent, or an educator, this conversation will challenge and inspire you. A quick content note: We do discuss suicidal ideation and suicide in this episode. If you or someone you know needs support, call 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Episode Highlights:

[3:10] – Meet Riana: A college student, mental health advocate, and founder of Arizona Students for Mental Health.
[5:49] – Riana’s struggle with anxiety and depression during high school and how she found her way forward.
[7:55] – The disconnect between academic pressure and mental health—and how schools often miss the signs.
[12:45] – The tragic events that sparked Riana’s advocacy work.
[15:40] – Facing school board resistance: “This isn’t a school problem”.
[25:42] – How student-led advocacy finally pushed the district to take action.
[30:29] – The launch of the Hope Institute and its life-saving impact.
[32:34] – What adults can do to support struggling teens.
[42:16] – The importance of asking direct questions about mental health.
[49:27] – Why open conversations and community involvement are key to change.

Links & Resources:

Suicide Prevention Hotline: https://988lifeline.org/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=onebox
How to talk to someone who may be in crisis: https://jedfoundation.org/resource/how-to-ask-someone-if-theyre-thinking-about-suicide/
Washington Post article featuring Riana Alexander https://wapo.st/3Qvyyd7
Arizona Students For Mental Health:
- Website: https://azstudentsformenta.wixsite.com/azsfmh
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azstudentsformentalhealth/
Children's Risk of Suicide Rises on School Days: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/childrens-risk-of-suicide-increases-on-school-days/

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