Hi Alice! Can you tell me about your interests or passions?
“My passions are making art and crafts. I also like music, and I enjoy just creating overall.”
Why are you drawn to the arts?
“In freshman year, I had an art class outside of school. Basically, it was two hours where the teacher would teach you art techniques. And something really cool that I was able to participate in was this summer drawing session where we went to different parks every week, and we would draw from real life. And then we had an exhibit to show off our work.”
Is there anything you’ve picked up during quarantine?
“I started playing the ukulele because I always wanted to, although I’m kind of bad at singing. But I actually like string instruments.”
Can you tell me about @gentle.clarity, the mental health advocacy account you started on Instagram? And have you done other mental health advocacy efforts?
“I decided to try to create a space for me to express my ideas about how important mental health is because I know that social media can contribute to the worsening of self-image and self-confidence. So I wanted to try to provide a space for people to realize that self care is important. And social media can be a place where you can improve yourself instead of feeling more negative about yourself.”
“I’m also in a club called Bring Change to Mind. And we usually do activities for mental health and meditation, just to educate others about issues surrounding that.”
Why is it important to advocate for mental health and prioritize your own mental health?
“Mental health is really important because if your mental health is not maintained and healthy, it contributes to practically everything that you do, just like if your physical health is not maintained, then you can’t really do other things beyond that. And especially in the pandemic, it’s really stressful and can often spiral down into other issues. Also, mental health became an important aspect of my life because I had a friend who was dealing with some mental health issues. It made me more aware that there are people who are suffering, and there are ways to help them.”
Is there anything you want to say to people who are struggling right now?
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and know that people are out there to support you. And always prioritize your health over everything else. Just know that you’re not alone.”