By Alejandra Wells
There’s a moment when you realize: our state officials aren’t just names on ballots or faces in the news. They’re real people who represent us, and they need to hear from us. That moment became real for me when I sat down one-on-one with Nebraska State Senator Margo Juarez.
As a teen mental health advocate and founder of Hiya, I carry a deep passion for how mental health is handled in schools. But passion only goes so far without policy. That’s why this meeting meant everything.
We talked with Senator Juarez about the challenges young people face when it comes to mental health, especially in the classroom. I shared my own experiences, and she listened. Truly listened. We talked about how sometimes teachers aren’t aware of how deeply mental health affects their students, and how that gap can make students feel invisible.
But what surprised me most? She shared her perspective, too.
Senator Juarez brought up something we hadn’t thought of: teacher burnout. She explained how overwhelmed educators can sometimes unintentionally miss signs of a struggling student. That hit hard. Because it reminded me that this isn’t a one-sided issue, it’s a systemic one.
And the only way to fix systems is together.
Your state officials are in office to represent you. So how do you want to be represented?
It doesn’t always take a protest or petition. Sometimes, it’s as simple as writing a letter or sending an email. Ask for a meeting. Share your story. You never know what change that conversation might spark.
They host town halls and public meetings, but even then, in a room full of people, your voice can still go unheard. Meeting one-on-one with your state senator can make all the difference.
Photos from the meeting:
