Virginia

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

This month, Empowered Flower Girl celebrates the incredible work of compassionate changemakers who are using their time, talent and treasure to champion the cause of mental health. Individuals like Mila M., a Virginia tween on a mission to provide tools and resources to her peers who could use a little positive energy.

After seeing a need for mental health support and resources for girls in her community, *12-year-old* Mila applied for a microgrant as part of the #BlackGirlJoyChallenge, an initiative of the Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium. With this initial support, she started assembling carefully curated packages (or mental health boxes) filled with items designed to promote wellness and self-care. 

“I quickly realized how important this was and decided to grow it into a non-profit,” Mila shared. “It is important to give Black girls tools to address their mental health because they often do not talk about their mental health due to stigma.”

Mila, who has faced her own battles with mental health, is attuned to the disparities in how mental health is perceived, particularly within the Black community. Through MH Boxes, Mila is breaking down barriers and providing a safe space for young Black girls to make self-care a priority. Each box contains resources and activities to encourage self-expression, mindfulness, and emotional well-being.

Mila’s outreach efforts have been recognized by media outlets and organizations throughout Virginia. In April, she was honored as a Chesterfield Community Champion and featured in a CBS news segment highlighting her delivery of 188 “MH Boxes” to Communities In Schools of Richmond.

As we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month, Mila reminds us all of the importance of supporting and uplifting underrepresented voices, especially when it comes to mental health.

Keep up with and support Mila and MH Boxes via Instagram. 

*At the time we wrote this feature, Mila was 12. As of May 8, Mila is officially a teen! Happy Birthday.