“Even though I’m young, I have a voice. I want to use my experiences to help others. Younger people want and need resources for their mental health.” 

Even at a young age, Lexi, a high school junior at Nightingale on the Upper East Side, is always thinking about how things work. And the same goes for her mental health.  

At age seven, Lexi had her first panic attack during a piano recital. Her mother identified the warning signs, struggling with anxiety herself, and was able to help Lexi through the attack. After that, Lexi and her family knew they needed to seek support for her anxiety. Lexi started going to therapy and, when she became older, started on medication that helped her with her symptoms. “I’m able to react to things better. I know my triggers and what I need in certain moments.”  

Today, Lexi is an advocate for mental health and wants to understand how the brain works. “I’m thinking about studying neurobiology and I’m taking some introduction classes in high school. It’s been healing to understand what’s happening during a panic attack, or why certain physical symptoms happen.” 

Lexi’s journey to NAMI-NYC started when her high school set up a health and wellness day including an Ending the Silence presentation. Two presenters shared their own journey of mental health recovery and talked with students about resources for young people to manage their own mental health. “The presentation really affected me. The presenters who shared their stories were impactful and it felt relatable.” After that, she knew she wanted to get involved.  

Lexi spoke with one of the presenters about what she could do to support NAMI-NYC and jumped right in. She started her own team for NAMIWalks NYC + Mental Health Street Fest and, as captain, recruited friends and family to join her.  She started fundraising at her school and encouraged her classmates to donate to support free mental health programs for all.  

“My school does a good job talking about mental health, but not every school does . We need to acknowledge the reality of mental health, especially in young people.” 

As Lexi continues examining and advocating for her own mental health, she is also looking for solutions. “We are the next generation that will build community and support for those struggling with mental health. Many of us go through this. We need to start working together to destigmatize mental health and support one another.”  

Looking to start a conversation around mental health at your school? Book an Ending the Silence presentation for students, faculty, or parents.  

Funding for Ending the Silence is provided in part by The Connor Sheehan Fund.