Young Gracie Parker Takes the Reigns as Mental Health Advocate in Franklin, North Carolina”.
In Franklin, North Carolina, a young girl named Gracie Parker organized a youth mental health rally for the second year in a row. At just 11 years old, Gracie has been advocating for elementary-aged children facing trauma and mental health struggles since she was five years old, after losing her mother to substance abuse when she was a baby.
The rally, called Why Not Us?, took place on April 28th and featured the state’s top health official, Kody Kinsley, as the keynote speaker. Kinsley emphasized the importance of caring for children’s behavioral health, stating that kids cannot learn unless they are healthy and well. He commended Gracie for her advocacy efforts, noting that she has traveled across the state and even to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness about mental health.
The first rally was held in 2023 and this year’s event provided attendees with information on resources to help cope and improve behavioral health. Both Gracie and Kinsley expressed their desire to see the rally and its impact continue to grow each year. The event was a platform for increasing awareness and support for youth mental health issues, with the hope of making a positive difference in the lives of children facing challenges.
