The Feel Better Journey
Session Recording
Description
Alexina will talk about her lived experiences growing up with depression and anxiety. She will discuss how she learned to access resources and navigate the healthcare system, as well as self-care strategies that proved to be helpful. She will also share insights and observations gained from meeting with hundreds of Vermont students and families.
Facilitator
Miss Vermont 2022 | Creator of The Feel Better Way
Alexina created a non-profit, The Feel Better Way, to provide information and resources to teens and young adults struggling with mental health issues. Alexina was selected as Miss Vermont 2022 and dedicated her year of service to mental health advocacy.
Born in Bennington, Vermont, Alexina graduated from Mt. Anthony Union High School before leaving the state to attend Cornell University. As the recipient of the Gates Millennium and Horatio Alger Scholarships, she pursued a Design and Environmental Analysis degree and graduated with honors and distinction. She wrote her honor thesis on Assessing Evidence-Based Design in Mental and Behavioral Health Facilities; her research investigated the impact of interior architecture and design on patient recovery and staff productivity.
In the Fall of 2021, Alexina created a non-profit, The Feel Better Way, to provide information and resources to teens and young adults struggling with mental health issues. In April 2022, Alexina was selected as Miss Vermont; she dedicated her year of service to mental health advocacy. She self-published a book, The Feel Better Way, sponsored by NAMI and the Stratton Foundation for distribution to schools. She visited dozens of schools and after-school programs to talk about her lived experiences with mental health issues and has spoken on cable television and radio.