Mental Health

The Ypsilanti Rotary Club invited Miss Washtenaw County to speak at their club recently. Hannah Palmer, 18, recently completed her Freshman year as an undergraduate honors student at Eastern Michigan University majoring in Elementary Education. Hannah is a lifelong Brighton resident. During her competition running for Miss Michigan, Hannah selected "Mental Health First Aid" as her platform. This is also a topic our District is spotlighting. Hannah hopes to change the stereotyping of mental illness, provide support to youth struggling, and educate teachers on what to do in a mental health crisis.  While in High School Hannah fought her own battle with depression and anxiety and has not let this define her or stand in the way of reaching for her goals.  She has volunteered with the Semicolon Project and Yellow Ribbon week for suicide prevention.  Hannah is certified in Mental Health First Aid and working to get teachers in the Brighton Area School district certified as well. She is also working with Senators Santana and Polehanki to pass Senate Bill 41, and has been invited to testify once the bill reaches a hearing. During her year of service she plans to teach parents, family members, peers, teachers, neighbors, and other caring citizens how to help individuals that are experiencing a mental health crisis.  Hannah is willing to speak to other Rotary clubs interested in learning how they can support Mental Health initiatives.

 

Hannah won the title of Miss Washtenaw County last October and will represent Washtenaw and Livingston Counties at the 2019 Miss Michigan Pageant in Muskegon in June.