The teen destigmatising mental illness in highschools

Since the age of 13, Claire Ma has been spending her free time supporting others with their mental health. The Tauranga teen founded the New Zealand branch of Letters to Strangers, the largest global youth-run non-profit, seeking to destigmatize mental illness. Letters to Strangers anonymously connects high school aged students with one another through letters, whether it's someone who can relate to what they're going through or just offering a listening air for when they need it most. Now, at 17 years old, Claire is one of this year's YWCA 24 under 24, a list that celebrates young people making a big difference within their communities. Clare has presented at international webinars and conferences on mental health and the power of connection - a far cry from the once isolated young girl struggling to find connection when she first immigrated from China to New Zealand.