Escape
By Xaimara Marquez, Youth Advisory Board Member for the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health is defined as a person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being. With the rise of social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok, discussions about mental health have become more accessible, allowing more people to connect and share their experiences.
For 2025, NRCDV’s Youth Advisory board is focusing on how trauma can lead to post-traumatic growth. At first glance, this topic can be confusing for some. As someone who has not faced particular traumatic events, I questioned how trauma could positively impact mental health. Why would we frame something negative in a positive light? Through conversation, I began to understand that this topic is about empowerment. I also learned about mental health issues and trauma experiences that often go unspoken and ignored. For example, the pandemic caused significant anxiety and fear for many when it came to having common in-person social interactions. This was an experience of collective trauma.
At the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV), the Youth Advisory Board is exploring how we can #TriumphOverTrauma by promoting mental health awareness within conversations about trauma. Every one of us experiences hardship in our lives. For this reason, we worked on a campaign designed to engage young people between the ages of 16-30, especially those most marginalized. Trauma can profoundly shape our identities. This campaign encourages us to consider what we gain from these experiences. Together, we can embrace, value, and celebrate our survivorship.
This May, youth speakers from love is respect and JAIAYouth will be joining us in conversations centering growth after trauma. Join us as we explore together how we can choose to #TriumphOverTrauma.
Want to learn more? We’re excited about the following events and resources for Mental Health Awareness Month 2025:
Campaign Materials & Info: To learn more about the #TriumphOverTrauma campaign and its mission to empower trauma survivors, please visit the campaign page and flyer.
Launch Party: Join us on Thursday, May 1st for the #TriumphOverTrauma campaign launch party, where we will discuss how we can normalize and destigmatize experiences of trauma and adversity, and explore the ways we grow from these experiences towards resilience and healing. This kick-off event will center the voices of youth leaders who will share their experiences and reflections in celebration of survivorship.
