Did your high school have an entire mental health department? Our host, Kristin, certainly did not experience this in the 80's at her high school! Tune in to hear two new podcasters to join our network that are currectly in high school (2024). Brannagh and Diya, two women we want to support with everything we can, created Y.A.N.A. (You are never alone) to help support mental health awareness for themselves and their peers! One of their amazing teachers is also a podcaster on the network, Amanda Grieme, of H.O.L.D.F.A.S.T. Radio! Who They Are We are juniors at Moravian Academy High School located in Bethlehem Pennsylvania. Mental health has played a major role in both of our lives. We believe mental health is of paramount importance as it directly influences our overall well-being and quality of life. It's the foundation for our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, and it impacts how we think, feel, and act daily. Good mental health enables us to handle life's challenges, cope with stress, build positive relationships, and make informed decisions. When mental health is neglected, it can lead to a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders, which can adversely affect every aspect of our lives. Their Mission Our mission-goal:Around late June of 2023, we established a podcast called YANA LV which stands for You Are Not Alone Lehigh Valley. As of November 2023, we have established roughly 20 episodes and have more in the making. In these episodes, we interview a multitude of people ranging from individuals with disabilities to teachers, psychologists, authors, and individuals with varying disorders such as bipolar, etc, and ask them to discuss how their life experiences correlate with mental health. We believe prioritizing mental health through seeking support when needed and reducing stigma around mental health issues is essential for living a fulfilling and productive life. Our story:So why did we create YANA LV? Although we have both struggled with our mental health and wanted to establish a new coping mechanism it was two different experiences that led us to the creation of this podcast turned organization. For Brannagh it was her brother with autism who often found himself struggling with his mental health. She wanted to show him he was not alone. For Diya, it was how mental health and Indian dance correlate, especially how her instructor's mental health was impacted.