Hi everyone! My name is Ellie Langworthy, and I’m thrilled to participate in 1N5’s annual Warrior Run 5k. In honor of the 15^th anniversary of the race, I’m competing in the Warrior of the Year Student Initiative, in which individual students commit to fundraising for evidence-based mental health education and suicide prevention. I invite you to support my team by making a donation or registering to race with us! 

A little bit about me: I am an eldest daughter, a twin, a proud Cincinnati native, a Bearcat, and a youth mental health advocate. 1N5’s mission deeply resonates with me because of my lived experience as someone who has been diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, and depression.

In all honesty, it has taken me nearly 22 years to feel ready to be authentic about my mental health journey. Outside of my immediate family, I was reluctant to reveal the extent to which my mental health struggles have impacted my daily life for almost a decade. Growing up, I felt an overwhelming sense of shame about my struggles, and I couldn’t bear the thought that speaking up would make the people I loved ashamed of me too.

Unfortunately, my story is representative of thousands of people who also suffer in silence. When nearly 1 in 5 youth (ages 13-18) either currently or at some point during their life have dealt with a seriously debilitating mental illness (CDC), it reinforces the need to equip young people (and those of all ages) with the tools to identify and respond to mental distress in themselves and others.

I believe that young people, who show up as their authentic selves, are the best drivers of change in the education system. When information about services and support is readily available and accessible in school, it spreads awareness and can dramatically decrease the rates of suicide. Additionally, the long-term benefits are transformative: Educated youth and teens become educated adults, who break the generational tradition of silence surrounding mental health topics. Like 1N5, I believe that mental health education quite literally saves lives. I hope to contribute to creating a culture that is kinder, more empathetic, and less judgmental of those with mental health struggles.

After my own mental health diagnosis, advocacy connected me to a purpose that is greater than myself: Combatting the youth mental health crisis, which has touched the lives of everyone I love. If I’ve learned one thing throughout this journey, it’s this: No matter how lonely I feel, I am never alone. In my opinion, the single most important factor in suicide prevention is instilling a sense of hope. There is power in our shared experiences: Highlighting stories of recovery gives other people the hope that, even if they’re struggling, they’re not alone. When we see others who have been able to heal from trauma and create a meaningful life for themselves, it makes that reality feel more feasible for us, too. Keeping this in mind, I feel immensely grateful to share my story and to be a small part of 1N5’s efforts to destigmatize mental health.