"It is my hope to break the stereotypes by showing that I, too, am the face of mental illness."
-Juliann Sheldon, Miss Pennsylvania 2011

"When I was ten years old, I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. At this young age, I frequently had trouble sleeping.  My nights were plagued by endless worrying about homework, what I would wear the next day at school, and not getting enough sleep. These worries may have seemed trivial to others, but to me these matters meant the whole world.  My anxiety was a distraction at school, too. I was worrying about the future and could not concentrate on what was happening in the classroom. 

Over time, my anxiety brewed until eventually I had my first panic attack. I recall being in the car with my mother and a good friend when suddenly my heart started beating very fast. I started breathing heavily. My muscles, especially in my hands, started to go numb. I felt like I was having a nervous breakdown or even a heart attack. That first attack was followed by a second, and a third, and so on, until they were happening frequently.

Because of the intensity of my anxiety, I was timid in the pursuit of my goals. I was afraid that I would fail or feel disappointed with myself. I wanted to be a cheerleader, I wanted to sing in chorus, and take higher level dance classes, but I never did any of those things. I was even terrified to participate in my classes for fear of embarrassment.  My anxiety seemed to have complete control of my life. 

Realizing how paralyzing my anxiety was, my parents made the decision to seek treatment. They made an appointment for me to see a child psychologist who diagnosed my condition. I had only seen psychologists in the movies and did not fully understand how they could help. I also did not understand my diagnosis of an anxiety disorder at the time. I simply thought I worried too much. My psychologist was a very calming woman who emphasized that I was in control of my own thoughts and body. She taught me how to work through my anxiety; how to change my negative thoughts and stop focusing on the future. I also learned how to use my breathing to relieve my anxiety. Thanks to these tools, I haven’t had a panic attack in many years.

Although I no longer struggle with anxiety as I did when I was younger, I realize that for many individuals, mental illness leads to other problems like physical illness and can even result in suicide. As a teenager, I experienced the suicide of a friend which caused me to recognize the deadly effects of not seeking help for a mental illness. Since then, I have educated myself about mental health and feel saddened by the lack of awareness that Americans have about their mental health. I have also become aware of the widespread and negative stigma that follows individuals with mental illness. 

When it was time to choose my platform as Miss Pennsylvania, the decision was easy. Mental illness affects one in five children and one in four adults in the United States. This is an important public health issue and I want to bring more attention to this cause. My platform focuses on both education about and awareness of mental illness. I want people to understand that it is O.K. to receive treatment and realize that there are harmful consequences if they do not seek help. I want to encourage all Americans to embrace opportunities and seek the supports to lead a mentally well life. With my campaign, I will emphasize four steps that are believed to be essential in maintaining mental wellness. These steps include exercising regularly, good sleep habits, taking time to relax, and effective communication.