Mental health and suicide are a generational crisis. In this day and age, my generation, Gen Z, has faced challenges that previous generations didn't experience at the same intensity. Social media, drug use, and endless pressures are only the surface. We are pushing through pressures from every aspect: economic instability, academic burnout, environmental issues, social expectations, and health challenges/concerns. These are frontline stressors of our lives that have not only shaped our sense of self but also our mental health. Pew Research Center says that my generation is the most racially, ethnically, and socially diverse generation in history. We also have the highest LGBT+ presence in history. Gen Z is amongst the primary generations that were affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Unlike the generations before us, we are the first generation of the digital age. Most of us were introduced to social media and its impact at a young age. At first, social media platforms were promoting themselves as an outlet for creativity and connection. Little did we know that their platforms would soon consistently contribute to many of our mental health struggles by predisposing us to unrealistic beauty standards, the pressures of being both famous and rich, and cyberbullying. The dream we were once sold has become an utter nightmare, where it becomes difficult to escape entirely. Being that social media was introduced in some of our most detrimental years of development, it has changed the way that we communicate, learn, and even process our emotions. The ways we view ourselves and each other were heavily impacted in the process. So, we keep note of the role that it may play in our lives. According to (“The Trace”), gun violence is Gen Z’s leading cause of death. This category doesn’t only include homicides but also includes suicides, mass shootings, and hate crimes as well. As a Class of ‘26 high school graduate, I’ve had peers who have either witnessed a homicide, committed suicide, or been murdered. I feel as though the topic of gun violence as a whole is very undermined. Since the 1990s, there have been many high-profile school shootings, including: Stoneman Douglas-Parkland, FL, Robb Elementary-Uvalde, TX, Columbine High School-Columbine, Colorado, and Central Visual and Performing Arts High School-St. Louis, MO. With that said, the discussions of phone bans in schools are at an all-time high throughout the United States. Phone ban laws are essentially gaining more traction and action than gun laws are. Gen Z students across all ranges have feared for the safety of their peers and that of the staff. So not only do we have hypervigilance in our communities, we have it in our schools. My catalytic experience with mental health has impacted me in ways that I never expected. I’ve personally had experiences that have negatively affected my own mental health. It has most definitely taught me to value empathy, respect, self-awareness, and advocacy not only for myself but for others. These struggles have allowed me to foster relationships that are deeper and more authentic, where stigma and silence are replaced with vulnerability and support. My overall experience has allowed me to redirect my career aspirations to fields that are dedicated to me to create consequential change in my community, whether it’s in the field of music, medicine, or psychology. I am driven by the desire to alchemize my pain into purpose to make a difference for those who are in need. Although my experience has consisted of hardship, I am grateful for the person that it has shaped me into. This is why mental health and suicide prevention are very important today.