The mental health crisis in America today is very real, and young people are deeply affected by it. I am passionate about this issue because I have seen the effects of mental health struggles in the lives of my friends as well as my own life. I believe there are things we can do as a nation that will help address this crisis. The path to change will not be easy or cheap, but it is far more important to protect the lives of future generations than to guard the bills in our wallets. Destigmatizing mental health issues is an important first step toward change. In my life with depression, I have often feared asking people for help. I felt ashamed and believed that asking for help made me appear weak. However, I have learned that depression is complex and is best addressed by partnering with professionals and trusted resources. We must encourage young people to advocate for themselves and teach them that there is no shame in asking for help. In fact, asking for help is the strongest thing a person suffering from mental illness can do. Humans were never meant to live in isolation. I also feel strongly that mental health resources, such as therapy, counseling, and medical solutions, should be free and readily available to all. I have talked to several of my friends about their struggles with mental health, and almost all of them have said that their main reason for not starting therapy or counseling was that their family could not afford it. Therapy is a resource that has proven time and time again to save lives. How can we place a price tag on such a critical resource? The idea of free mental health care may be viewed as radical by some, but similar policies have been implemented in other countries with great success. Since 2007, suicides have increased at an alarming rate for people aged 10 to 24. I believe we must begin as early as possible in a child’s life educating them about their emotions and training them in ways to cope with the stress of life. Ideally, this education would begin in the home, but when that is not possible, doctors and schools should take the lead. We must foster a community of love and acceptance of all people, despite our differences. As children grow up, we can educate them on common mental health issues, teaching them how different conditions may manifest. In this way, peers can help one another recognize issues and encourage each other to seek the help they need. I believe when these skills are taught from a young age, suicides will dramatically decrease as America becomes a tighter-knit community that looks out for our own and protects the lives of our children.