Lake County Gazette

When Christina Carris was 14, she faced the challenges of Depression and Anxiety. Despite appearing active with dance, student council, and Model UN, internally she struggled with motivation and isolation. Her grades suffered, and daily activities became difficult.

Christina acknowledges her fortune in having supportive parents who sought help for her. She raises concerns about those without such support. According to the CDC's 2021 data, "more than 4 in 10 (42%) students felt persistently sad or hopeless," with a significant number considering or attempting suicide.

Christina criticizes the slow progress on mental health issues by current lawmakers: "Our current Congressman talks about mental health...and we still lack comprehensive solutions." She advocates for more mental health professionals in schools, tax incentives for training, online therapy assistance for low-income families, and increased state-supported facilities.

Emphasizing urgency, Christina argues that adolescents don't get second chances: "Kids can’t afford to wait...We have a moral obligation to act with urgency." She supports her father Jim Carris as a Congressional candidate who understands these issues personally: "I know he will work tirelessly every day to pass comprehensive mental health policy into law."

Christina calls for electing leaders who prioritize real action on mental health this November: "My dad, Jim Carris, will be that leader."