Students gather at Kansas Statehouse for Youth Mental Health Advocacy Day

TOPEKA (KSNT) - More than 400 students from across the Sunflower State gathered at the Capitol building to advocate for mental health on Monday.

March 26 marks the celebration of Youth Mental Health Advocacy Day. The students at the Capitol building are a part of Youth Leaders in Kansas (YLINK). The organization has more than 50 groups spanning the entire state and is continuing to grow. YLINK is encouraged to hold events to make their voices known. 

The students had the opportunity to speak with legislators about their passion and share personal stories. 27 News spoke with two students about their thoughts on mental health awareness. 

"It doesn't matter how old you are," said Raegann McDonald. "It doesn't matter what background you come from. It effects every single person from other walks of life and so I think it's important to showcase, it's okay to not be okay, but it's not okay to stay that way."

"It's so so important for youth to become a part of something in the mental health field because youth help youth," said Isabella Blackwood. "There's only so much that adults can do for you and really youth find comfort and help in their peers."

The National Alliance on Mental Illness says 35,000 Kansans between the ages of 12 and 17 have depression.

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