Justin Lambert, Kindra Lundie, and Brittany Manos, students in Big Picture South Burlington, were part of a group presentation before the Vermont Legislature’s Mental Health Oversight Committee on September 25, 2013, in Montpelier. The half-day presentation focused on children’s, teens’, and families’ mental health and well-being in the state of Vermont. The three seniors were the only high school students to present in front of the committee; their testimony focused on issues impacting teenagers daily, including, but not limited to, physical and mental health and wellness, stress, bullying and harassment, and suicide.
Also in attendance were Vermont state leaders in the fields of mental health and human services. After the presentation, several legislators and state leaders approached Justin, Kindra, and Brittany to thank them for their courage and clarity, with one leader noting, “You reminded us of what’s most important.”
by Susie Merrick