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Youth
Leaders
This diverse group of teens and young adults has come together to share
their stories, guide mpower's messages and activities and get their
peers involved. As consumers, musicians and mental health advocates,
they share a desire to fight the stigma that so many of them have encountered
first-hand and believe in the power of music to carry a positive message
of hope and recovery.
Michael Auerbach
Nineteen-year-old Michael Auerbach, a sophomore at the University
of Pennsylvania, helps educate his peers about suicide by sharing
his personal experiences with depression and suicidal thoughts,
and the loss of his best friend to suicide several years ago.
Michael was president of the Yellow
Ribbon Club for suicide
prevention at his high school, and he is actively involved with
Colorado Link, a suicide prevention project of the Mental
Health Association of Colorado.
Michael's favorite bands:
· Ben Folds Five
· Dave Matthews Band
· Saves the Day
Farah Kauffman
Helping others has been a major focus for Farah Kauffman, 25, of
State College, Pennsylvania. In addition to being the Therapeutic
Staff Support with Extended Family Programs in Philipsburg, PA
, she is starting a young women's empowerment group which will
help young women work through difficult issues, like eating disorders
and depression. Given her commitment to serving others, it is no
surprise that mpower's message appeals to Farah. Recognizing that
a lack of knowledge often prevents people with mental disorders
from seeking treatment, she views mpower as a "positive and
innovative effort to increase mental health awareness." Furthermore,
Farah believes mpower can diminish negative attitudes surrounding
mental illness by "utilizing the powerful voice of popular
musicians who care about mental health issues."
Farah loves listening to:
· Indigo Girls
· Ida
· Bob Dylan
Courtney Nicolaisen
Courtney Nicolaisen, a student at UCLA, is looking to connect two
forces in her life-music and mental health. She organizes musical
entertainment for UCLA's student body as a member of the campus
events commission, giving her first-hand knowledge of the music
industry. She also has experience with mental illness, as several
of her relatives have dealt with depression and anxiety disorders.
Mpower interests Courtney because it involves two personal and
important aspects of her life, and she sees it as a "very
good way to touch a lot of people."
Courtney's top three:
· Radiohead
· The Roots
· Beck
Leslie Schwaniger
21-year-old Leslie Schwaniger graduated from Chesapeake
Community College in Maryland this summer and transfered to Salisbury State
College to finish her degree in journalism. Leslie also works part-time
for her local newspaper, The Star Democrat, for which she wrote
an article about her diagnosis of, and treatment for, schizophrenia.
Leslie was diagnosed when she was 16. In her last year of high
school she was enrolled in a special education program that had
smaller class sizes and helped her manage her illness while she
learned. Leslie has two younger brothers and two cats, and loves
listening to CDs, reading and going on long walks.
Leslie's favorite musicians include:
· Alanis Morisette
· Evanescence
· Avril Lavigne
Haley Stephens
Haley Stephens, a high-school senior from Virginia, has personal
experience with mental illness. After witnessing her grandmother
and uncle struggle with depression, substance abuse and generalized
anxiety disorder, she is aware of mental illnesses' impact on both
the individual and the family. At the same time, Haley knows mental
illness is treatable, as she has seen her relatives receive help.
Citing music as her "big hobby," Haley combines her experience
with mental illness with her love of music as an advocate for mpower.
She certifies that mpower is a "great way to inform the younger
generation about mental illness and mental health awareness."
Haley rocks out to:
· Red Hot Chili Peppers
· Incubus
· Fuel
Christopher Torres
Twenty-five-year-old Chris Torres of Florida has been diagnosed
with autism, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive
disorder. With a lot of courage and support, Chris has overcome
many obstacles in his life. Currently, he divides his time between
working on his artwork, a talent that has earned him much recognition,
and his job at Wal-Mart. In addition, Chris regularly visits Peer
Place, an outreach facility for people with mental illness run
by his local Mental Health Association, where he socializes with
friends and acts as a mentor for less-experienced artists. Given
Chris's experience and progress with mental disorders, he is a
huge proponent of mpower, claiming that he will "do whatever
it takes to do [his] part in helping teens find their way in life."
Chris prefers:
· Linkin Park
· Saliva
· Red Hot Chili Peppers
Scooter Vineburgh
A 28-year-old musician from Massachusetts,
Scooter Vineburgh has always had a keen interest in music, playing
in bands during college
and later (nikulydin and Minimalist
Orchestra).
Currently, he teaches and leads workshops for students who have
severe emotional and behavioral disorders. By incorporating
music into his curriculum, Scooter has seen "how important,
therapeutic and influential music can be for people of all ages,
races, [and] capacities." Scooter is confident that "mpower
will use the sounds and voices of influential people…to spread
healing and help reduce the stigma behind getting help for mental
health issues."
Scooter grooves to:
· Bob Marley
· The Roots
· B.B. King
Jordan Woody
As a peer counselor, Jordan Woody, a 15-year-old from Texas, helps
fellow students overcome personal hardships. This experience also
helped her to manage the depression she encountered after the death
of her grandmother. Jordan also has a passionate interest in music,
playing the clarinet in her high school's marching and concert
bands. She is aware of how the lyrics and content of music videos
influence her peers, and she is ready to apply this insight to
the development of mpower.
Jordan loves listening to:
· Jay-Z
· Ludacris
· Missy Elliot
· 50 Cent
Wanna get involved in mpower? Check out the u
can help section
or send us your story.
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