In March of 2020, after years with a therapist, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. While I was at a loss for words and confused by the diagnosis, everyone I asked could see it. Ever since I was young, I would become absolutely consumed by subjects that seemed odd […]
Read MoreAppalachian Youth Creators
Young people in Appalachia are being shaped in an era fraught with political unrest, surrounded by almost insurmountable global issues that will shape the world they inherit. But all at once, they are expected to both save the world and care far less about things too serious for them to understand. Here, we give young Appalachians space to think out loud, examine and amplify issues they know are impacting their identities, their communities and, by extension, their politics.
More than a Stereotype: A Young West Virginian Wants a Different Conversation
In school growing up, it wasn’t uncommon to learn about what made each of our 50 states unique, and I was no exception: Florida is known for its beaches. Wisconsin is known for cheese. Kentucky is known for fried chicken. What is West Virginia known for? Anyone who lives here […]
Read MoreCommentary: A Key to Solving Appalachia’s Mental Health Crisis? Culturally-responsive Care.
When I entered adulthood and moved out of the house to attend college more than three hours away in Louisville, I made a commitment to myself that I would prioritize my mental health. Back home, people didn’t really go to therapy. This was due to several factors: extremely limited access, […]
Read MoreWhen You Aren’t Old Enough for a Vaccine: An Alabama Sixth Grader on COVID-19
This article was written before FDA authorization of the COVID-19 vaccine for children under the age of 12. The COVID-19 pandemic has been by far the most distressing experience of my life. We learned to live wearing masks and only hang out with our friends outside. Over the past eighteen […]
Read MoreCOVID Fears, Stress and Anxiety Continue for College Students Back on Campus
As college students around the country returned to campus this fall, the start of the semester came with an ongoing set of challenges during a pandemic, including academic stress, lack of social and emotional support, and moving to a new place, all of which affects students’ mental health. But some […]
Read MoreCommentary: What My Mamaw Has Taught Me about Women’s Labor and the Appalachian Matriarchy
The Appalachian woman archetype is rough, hardened and traditional. Men are the head of the household; women mind the house. The labor of men brings money and professional prestige; women’s accomplishments are brushed aside as familial expectations. Cleaning, minding children, providing a refuge for emotional vulnerability, these are all duties […]
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