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Given to youth leaders who shift perceptions and spearhead change in mental health education, the NAMI honor comes with a $500 scholarship.
“To know that I am being recognized for what I do is jaw-dropping,” Rickin-Marks, 18, said. “I’m incredibly privileged for the opportunity to do what I do and as long as I give back to the community, that is enough.”
For three years, the Fox Chapel teen has worked diligently to reduce the stigma related to mental health issues.
She serves as a member of the high school’s diversity council and peer-to-peer empowerment program, and has twice organized a social justice workshop for teens to challenge discrimination.
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As Christine Michaels, CEO of the National Alliance on Mental Illness’ Keystone Pennsylvania chapter, prepares for the group’s first virtual conference on Friday, she can’t help but think of her own family.
This year’s conference, “Closing the Gap: Prioritizing the Needs of Traumatized Youth,” will focus on the impact that the covid-19 pandemic is having on children and adolescents. Michaels has seen it firsthand.
“I have a granddaughter who’s a teenager,” she said. “Before the pandemic, she was a straight-A student. She has some difficulties with anxiety and has gone to counseling, and had a horrible time with remote learning.”