Mia Lauer
!["In eighth grade, I used to be depressed and in a bad place. I just wasn’t myself. I dyed my hair super dark, and I was absolutely disgusting. People probably did not know that I was so depressed and went to therapy. Every night I would go to bed feeling unfulfilled, lonely and unhappy. I feel like, over COVID, talking about mental health was more normalized because everyone was wondering when COVID would finally end. I would cry every night and have panic attacks often. I finally asked my mom to go to therapy, and I am so happy I did because I wouldn't be where I am right now without it. My biggest achievement is that now I am the best version of myself, and I am so happy. I have straight A’s and played field hockey and now soccer I am just really enjoying it. [I learned] to focus on myself and enjoy all of my time alone. I am proud of myself for getting out of therapy and being so happy now.” — Mia Lauer, 9](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image4-5-900x585.jpg)
“In eighth grade, I used to be depressed and in a bad place. I just wasn’t myself. I dyed my hair super dark, and I was absolutely disgusting. People probably did not know that I was so depressed and went to therapy. Every night I would go to bed feeling unfulfilled, lonely and unhappy. I feel like, over COVID, talking about mental health was more normalized because everyone was wondering when COVID would finally end. I would cry every night and have panic attacks often. I finally asked my mom to go to therapy, and I am so happy I did because I wouldn’t be where I am right now without it. My biggest achievement is that now I am the best version of myself, and I am so happy. I have straight A’s and played field hockey and now soccer I am just really enjoying it. [I learned] to focus on myself and enjoy all of my time alone. I am proud of myself for getting out of therapy and being so happy now.” — Mia Lauer, 9