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Mental health is important because it affects how people think, feel, and live their daily lives. Many people struggle in silence due to stigma or lack of resources. Public mental health services help individuals get support, reduce suicide rates, and improve overall quality of life. Everyone deserves access to care and understanding.

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Mental health is important because it affects how people think, feel, and live their daily lives. Many people struggle in silence due to stigma or lack of resources. Public mental health services help individuals get support, reduce suicide rates, and improve overall quality of life. Everyone deserves access to care and understanding.

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Hi! I'm Karleigh Yancy. I am a journalist, and it is important to me that everyone can have access to knowledge, news, and education. I grew up in a very low income household, with no cable. My sisters and I watched reading rainbow and cyberchase, and during elections, my parents got their coverage from PBS. In my teens, I listened to NPR podcasts with my father, and enjoyed finding new musicians from their youtube videos. So, for my public service, I chose public media, shining a special spotlight on PBS and NPR. These outlets both work hard to make sure that underserved communities have access to trustworthy information that they might not have without public media. By providing educational, informative, and culturally rich programming in communities that may be impoverished, difficult to access, or overlooked, they ensure that every American can have access to media they can trust.

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I chose the Supporting Adolescent Mental Health campaign because adolescent mental health is something that impacts a lot of people, even if it’s not always talked about openly. Teens deal with so much pressure from school, social media, and everyday expectations, and it can really affect their mental well-being. This service helps create a safe space for support, encourages open conversations, and reminds adolescents that they’re not alone and that it’s okay to ask for help.

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I am very happy to have a National Parks Service here in the US. The natural beauty of our country is one of our most precious natural resources and, in my opinion, needs to be protected. I appreciate how the NPS has remained apolitical and focused on the preservation of our earth and sharing education and nature for all.

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The cause I chose was the Equal Justice Center or EJC for short. Essentially, this service is a non-profit legal practice that helps low-income families, works, as well as communities, in getting equal treatment in places such as their workplaces or legal system; regardless of a person's race or background. I find this important because of the strong belief that everyone should be given an equal shot in what they would like to pursue and not many people unfortunately are in a situation where they can be treated as such. This program helps by not only shining a light on this issue, but by being as stepping stone in assisting those who need it most.

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I feel strongly about services for domestic violence victims like the East Texas Crisis Center. They give people a safe place to get help, like counseling, legal support, or emergency housing. These services also teach communities about abuse and help survivors feel empowered to rebuild their lives. I think they are really important because they protect people and give them hope for a better future.

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I chose to do mental health because I think its so important to learn and know about it since there are so many people around us who struggle with it every day.

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The public service I chose was hearing health awareness. A campaign called “Hear For You” educates people about hearing differences, early support, and resources for those who are hard of hearing. I feel strongly about this because I lost hearing in my right ear as a child, and I know how much it can affect communication and confidence. Campaigns like this help raise awareness, promote accessibility, and ensure everyone can be included and supported.

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I chose self-awareness as my favorite cause because I believe it’s the foundation for personal growth and stronger connections with others. When people take time to understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, they can make better choices and handle challenges with more confidence and empathy. Self-awareness also helps create a more positive environment, whether it’s at work, school, or in friendships, because it encourages honesty and understanding. I believe that promoting self-awareness can lead to people being more mindful, kind, and intentional in their treatment of themselves and others, which can make a significant difference in the world overall.

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Hi, I'm Orion Baker! I choose Breast Cancer Awareness, as its a cause that means a lot to me. Before I was born, I lost my Grandmother to breast cancer. And due to it, I never got to meet a loved one. This cause is important, as it raises awareness to a issue that can be missed easily. So, not only does it support those who are dealing with it, but it supports & campaigns prevention efforts, research into treatments, and medical efforts/scans.

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Inclusive Baseball for Athletes with Disabilities

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Inclusive Baseball for Athletes with Disabilities

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I chose Keeper of the Game because it gives kids and young adults with special needs and disabilities the chance to experience baseball in meaningful, inclusive ways while building confidence, community, and servant leadership. It’s a good reminder that sports can be about inclusion and impact, not just competition, and as someone who loves baseball, this mission really resonates with me.

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Cancer is a disease that I hope one day will have a cure. Throughout my life I have had family and loved ones taken away from cancer. I want to prevent the events that I had to go through and the loses that come with it on anyone else. I chose the American Cancer Society because they are making remarkable strides in cancer research and helping those that are affected by this disease.

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Mental Health Through Awareness - Veronica Little

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Mental Health Through Awareness - Veronica Little

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I chose a lightbulb to represent knowledge, growth, and awareness. I care deeply about mental health as a public service because education and access to support help people better understand themselves and others. When people have the tools to reflect, learn, and seek help, it leads to healthier individuals and stronger communities.

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I chose East Texas Center for Independent Living. This is a center dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to live independently. They want to break the social norm of thinking that people with disabilities will never be able to take care of themselves or live on their own. But ETCIL is helping individuals to prove that wrong. I got the chance to meet some of those individuals and hear their stories of how ETCIL has changed their life, and it is so inspiring.

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Mental Health and General Support for Veterans

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Mental Health and General Support for Veterans

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Hi! My name is Amelia Matecek!

I chose to highlight mental health support for veterans, and one local organization, Camp V, provides support for Veterans and their families. Finding support in civilian life can be hard to readjust to, or even know where to begin wehcih is why organizations like Camp V and awareness on mental health for these groups are important. I often try to advocate for men's mental health in general, but with a population that is exposed to high-stress situations constantly i believe support for them is crucial to allow them to continue pursuing a civilian life after military service.

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Hello! My name is Macy Maxwell

My boyfriend is a firefighter at Smith County ESD2. They are very active in their community, show up and out for the high schools in their district, offer support for communities, and are always promoting safe habits through their social media. Smith County also has volunteer firefighters to support their career firefighters. All these men and women put their lives on the line to keep their community safe.

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My name is Debora Loua.

I am passionate about a church ministry called Central on Missions, run by a church I've attended, that does outreach for the public.

Supporting its local food pantry and sending Christmas gifts to children around the world are some programs that Central on Missions does.

One other mission the church does is giving its members a chance at a yearly trip to El Salvador. Members give the gospel, partner with churches, and help local neighborhoods in El Salvador.

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I did mine on Waffles & Worship, a bi-weekly gathering of Christian college to young adults on Sundays. I serve on the worship team, and it is a great space to meet new people and eat waffles together then sing some worship songs. We break out in prayer groups in the middle of each night we gather and just pray over each other. It is a great way to have fun and build relationships.

We are working on becoming a non-profit soon!

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MATHEW DEPTULA

I am on the executive team for ETX Connection, a Christian non-profit that serves recent high school graduates by providing them Godly community during and after a 2-night weekend camp focused on 1.) building their eternal relationship with Jesus and 2.) creating a space for long-lasting connections.

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National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC)

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National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC)

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I decided to do my public service on National Museum of African American History and Culture. This is organization is apart of the Smithsonian. This museum was intended to spread awareness of the hard, but persevering history of African Americans from Slavery to civil rights, to Black military history. I feel so strongly about this organization because for years African Americans were not celebrated or looked as equals, places like this help people who may not know about our ancestors fight for freedom and injustice. This museum keeps the culture alive for years to come.

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The public service I chose was adolescent mental health. A campaign called "Sound It Out" focuses on teaching parents and guardians about the role they play in the emotional well-being of young children ages 10-16. I feel so strongly about this because parents and guardians tend to think a kid at that age doesn't have much to worry about, but that's not the case. Kids at that age are, in some cases, new to social media and don't take into account that apps such as TikTok and Instagram give children unrealistic expectations and often make them question themselves, which can cause stress, depression, and isolation. Adults might overlook mental health when it comes to children, so it's amazing they have resources like these to help adults understand that kids go through a lot, too.

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I chose to write about a nonprofit organization that I am personally involved with. Lil Warriors is a fundraising organization that helps families cover medical expenses that insurance does not fully pay for when their children are seriously ill. I chose this organization because I have been involved with it since I was 11 years old, and it has had a meaningful impact on my life.

In 2022, my cousin was one of the children Lil Warriors helped support. He suffered from AVM and multiple strokes and spent 143 days in the hospital, which resulted in overwhelming medical costs. Seeing my own family receive help during such a difficult time showed me firsthand how important this organization’s work truly is.

Lil Warriors is very near and dear to my heart. Not only does it provide critical financial support to families in need, but it also brings the community together through a fun golf event that raises money and awareness for these families during incredibly challenging times.

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I used to live in California where we would get a wildfire season every year. I remember that it was really bad during September of 2020 in my area that the sky would be gray and the sun tinted red. In recent times, the Palisades were on fire for all of January 2025--one of the top three worst fires on record in California. I think its important to remember that there are things we do to stop fires in our local area as well as what firefighters do for all of us. It's incredibly hard work and I am very thankful for them.

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I chose literacy awareness because it is essential for people, especially children, to fully comprehend what they are learning and reading to have the opportunity to express themselves effectively.