Our Mission

          In recent years, the discourse about mental health has shifted from one full of stigma to that of openness and awareness. Nowhere else is this discussion more vibrant than within our younger generation, and it’s not hard to see why. According to the CDC, nearly a third of high schoolers report struggles with their mental health*. Despite its severity and scale, some feel that schools are falling behind on this ever evolving issue. The efforts that they put forth are commendable, although oftentimes, students feel a disconnect from the message being presented. The Rose Initiative aims to close this gap by highlighting real teenagers with real stories, bringing forth a more intimate and relatable perspective. We strive to provide resources that are supplemented by personal testimonies, unmarred by reductive anecdotes or confusing statistics. 

           

          Choked by the shade of an enormous tree. Beaten by the persistent downpour of rain. Stunted by the ill soil it was grown in. Sometimes, the rose is never given respite to ponder the question of how it grew. Though, upon the sight of its fellow flowers blooming, it nonetheless strives to join the bouquet.

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*Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, June 1). Mental Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.