Gracie Parker, an 11-year-old girl from Franklin, organized the Why Not Us? Rally for youth mental health for the second year in a row. This year’s rally featured keynote speaker Kody Kinsley, the secretary for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Gracie’s motivation for organizing the rally stems from her personal experience of losing her mother to substance abuse when she was just a baby. Since the age of five, Gracie has been advocating for elementary-aged children who are facing trauma and mental health struggles.
The first Why Not Us? Rally took place in 2023, and this year’s event aimed to raise awareness and provide resources for coping and improving behavioral health. Kody Kinsley emphasized the importance of children’s behavioral health, stating that children cannot learn and thrive unless their mental health needs are met. Gracie’s passion for mental health advocacy has taken her all over the state and even to Washington, D.C.
Both Gracie and Kinsley expressed their hopes for the rally to continue growing each year, making a positive impact on youth mental health.Visitors to the rally had the opportunity to learn about resources available to help children facing mental health challenges. This event highlights the importance of addressing mental health needs in children from a young age to ensure their overall well-being.