My name is Ayla Boynton, and I recently graduated from Plainedge High School, where I developed a deep interest in mental health advocacy and support. This fall, I plan to attend Nassau Community College to major in psychology, with the long-term goal of becoming a licensed therapist specializing in child and adolescent mental health. My passion for this field is rooted in both personal experience and the desire to create lasting change for young people who feel misunderstood or unsupported. During my high school years, I learned that mental health is just as real and important as physical health, but it often goes unnoticed until someone is in crisis. I struggled with anxiety and depression at different points, and while I eventually found support, the process of asking for help felt incredibly difficult. It made me realize how isolating mental health struggles can be — especially when you feel like you're the only one going through them. I also saw how many of my peers faced similar battles, yet rarely spoke about them due to fear, shame, or stigma. I also saw bullying take place firsthand while in school, which makes things worse for those experiencing anxiety and depression. One of the most important things I’ve learned is that simply talking about mental health can be powerful. The longer you stay silent, the longer you will suffer. Whether it's checking in on a friend, being honest about your own emotions, or challenging the idea that mental illness is a weakness — these small acts can open doors for real support. I also learned about the importance of early intervention. The sooner someone gets help, the better their chances of healing and building healthy coping strategies. In the years to come, I plan to use what I’ve learned to support others, both personally and professionally. As a future mental health professional, I want to help streamline the process of accessing care, especially for children and teens who often don’t know where to turn. I also hope to work within school systems to promote trauma-informed care and ensure that every student feels safe, seen, and supported. Most importantly, I want to keep listening — to those who are struggling, to those who feel invisible, and to those whose voices are often overlooked in the mental health conversation. Because one of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned is that sometimes, just being present and open can make all the difference.

My passion for advocating against bullying and supporting mental health in K–12 settings stems from personal experience — both as a sibling and as someone who has faced their own mental health challenges. My younger brother has severe non-verbal autism. I’ve seen firsthand how students who don’t “fit the mold” are often left out, misunderstood, or even mocked. My brother has been bullied for simply being himself — for stimming, making sounds, or not being able to communicate the way others do. Seeing how he was treated made me realize how cruel children can be when they haven’t been taught empathy, and how often schools fail to protect their most vulnerable students. His experiences motivated me to speak out, even when it was uncomfortable. I’ve worked to educate my peers, volunteered with special needs students, and supported school efforts around disability awareness and inclusion. More than anything, I’ve learned that real advocacy means being a consistent voice — especially when others are silent. At the same time, I’ve battled anxiety and depression — experiences that opened my eyes to how broken our mental health system truly is. I remember how hard it was to even know what kind of help I needed, let alone how to access it. I felt overwhelmed, unsupported, and isolated. And I know I’m not alone. So many students struggle in silence, whether due to bullying, trauma, or inner battles they can’t put into words. Unfortunately, too many fall through the cracks because mental health support in schools is inconsistent, inaccessible, or stigmatized. These two parts of my life — being the protective sibling and being the struggling student — are why I want to pursue a career in mental health. I want to change the system from the inside out. My goal is to become a child and adolescent therapist or psychologist, with a focus on trauma, neurodiversity, and school-based interventions. But I don’t just want to help one-on-one. I want to change the systems that make getting help so hard. Currently, the process of accessing mental health care is fragmented. Families don’t know where to start, services are often expensive or have long waitlists, and schools are under-resourced. I want to help streamline this by working at the intersection of mental health and education. I envision creating a centralized platform that connects students, parents, schools, and providers — making it easier to find help, track progress, and ensure no student slips through the cracks. I also want to advocate for universal mental health screenings in schools, embedded counselors with trauma-informed training, and stronger anti-bullying policies that emphasize restorative justice over simple punishment. Ultimately, I believe every student deserves to feel safe — both emotionally and physically — at school. That starts with listening, supporting, and acting. Whether I’m standing up for someone like my brother, supporting a peer in crisis, or working to reform the system itself, I am committed to making real, lasting change. The work is personal, but the mission is universal: to create a world where no child feels alone in their difference, pain, or healing.