A Cool Mil to Spare?

What would I do with a million dollars? Hmmm, that's a good question! Better yet, what would I do If I was mayor of "small town" USA, and had a million dollars left in my budget to spend on what ever I want? My answer to this would come from the heart. This past year in high school has been stressful for me. Work, volunteering, college applications, keeping good grades, constantly be told to be more involved, instead of focusing more on what I actually want to do. I would form an organization for youth who are dealing with stress, depression, or trauma. Children have a lot pressure to be perfect. According to Depressedteens.com, 1 million teens suffer from depression each year. They are being forced to hold more weight on they're shoulders, then what they actually should. Childhood should include achievement, but that shouldn't always be the main purpose.

The organization would help kids cope with the pressures of everyday life. It would also help them focus on the most important aspects of each individuals life, along with helping them expand on those aspects. Teenagers shouldn't be stressed ! They should be living some of the best years of their lives. But instead of doing that, often times teens are pressured by parents, teachers, media, etc., to be involved, to multitask, to do it all, to be perfect! Pressure like this can easily cause depression or stress. No one wants this much wait on their shoulders. It creates a stifling environment. It also limit's the amount of growth (emotionally and mentally) that child can have. I would focus on team building exercises, Therapy, forms of expression, and communication with parents. I completely understand that parents want the best for their children, but they also need to listen as well. Parents may be wiser, but that doesn't mean that they always know what's best. The organization would also help kids who have experienced some sort of trauma that effects their daily life. Trauma can be paralyzing to a child, stunting their growth. Millions of kids are traumatized at some point in their life, whether it be death of a parent, living through natural disaster, or suffering with being abused.

My organization may sound costly, but the million dollars would be spent very responsibly. Professional volunteers would be excepted, along with parents, teachers and students. It would be a forum of communication. The money would be spent on a space to house the organization, advertisement to schools and parents. The money would also fund weekly guest speakers who would focus on educating the community on stress, depression, and coping with trauma. My organization I would create with the million dollars would need to be funded annually, after the first 3 years.