Area teen works to end mental health stigma

Midkota High School student Kennedy Gjovik has been selected as winner of the North Dakota Youth Ending Stigma (YES) Challenge, hosted by Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum. The YES Challenge is a collaborative effort between the Office of the Governor, Office of the First Lady and the Office of Recovery Reinvented, designed to enable student-led initiatives and projects focused on eliminating social stigma surrounding behavioral health issues including addiction and mental illness.

"These winners and their initiatives represent the unique and diverse challenges that communities throughout North Dakota face surrounding addiction and mental illness," Gov. Burgum said. "The winners come from rural school districts, large cities and tribal nations, and all of them are equally passionate about this effort to eliminate stigma and create more support for those facing struggles."

Kennedy plans to implement a program that will utilize mentor groups, a movie and game night, prizes, and her school's Sources of Strength program to generate conversations around behavioral health topics. She hopes that by generating open and genuine conversations students will learn more about these topics, be able to help each other, reach for help themselves, and end the stigmatism surrounding such tough issues.

"These students are incredible examples of youth ingenuity and leadership in our state," First Lady Burgum said. "They are leading projects that are focused on creating awareness, empowering communities with knowledge and resources, and creating a safe space to connect with peers and normalize these conversations around mental illness and addiction."

Students will implement their initiative to eliminate stigma in their school and community over an eight-week period. To follow the progress of the YES Challenge winners on social media, follow the Governor and First Lady on Facebook (@GovernorDougBurgum and @FirstLadyND), Twitter (@DougBurgum and @FirstLadyND), and Instagram (@dougburgum and @firstladynd). The Youth Ending Stigma grants have been funded through the Recovery Reinvented fund at Dakota Medical Foundation.