Madi Tierney, a senior at FHN, created an Instagram account to spread mental health awareness during September 2020, which is also Suicide Awareness Month, as well as to spread positivity in general about several problems that the world faces in a time when so many people need it. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in the world for those between the ages of 15 and 24, and 7 in 100,000 youth ages 15 to 19 die by suicide every year. 

“I created the Bee Brave Movement as a mental health awareness page that is meant to spread positivity,” Tierney said.

Tierney started the Bee Brave Movement because she herself has dealt with depression and suicidal thoughts in the past. She attempted suicide in 2017, so this is a very personal cause to her. The name of the page, The Bee Brave Movement, was thought of by Tierney. 

“I was searching for an available name, and Bee Brave just popped into my head because it was a unique way to say it, and it worked out because the bee could be the logo for the movement,” Tierney said.

The account, @beebravemovement, is also managed by junior Taylor Hill, as well as FHC graduate Destiny Gerard, and FHHS graduate Lydia Connell. They have 51 Instagram followers as of Oct. 21. They also manage a Facebook page that has proven to be more successful, with 150 likes and follows. 

“Not too many people have shared stories yet, but the few that have shared stories have been powerful,” Tierney said.

Content on the account includes quotes on their story and highlights, and personal stories get posted on their feed. They don’t post everyday. Taylor Hill and Destiny Gerard post occasionally, and Lydia Connell helps give suggestions. 

“The content is about spreading awareness about mental health,” Taylor Hill said.

Tierney hopes to get more people involved so that people will feel more comfortable sharing their stories, because it can be intimidating to share to a small group of people.

“I use the account now to show people that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and to make sure that people know they aren’t alone, because I know how it feels,” Tierney said. 

One of the things that gets posted is personal stories that people can submit anonymously. All of the stories are kept anonymous, because confidentiality is very important to Madi when it comes to people’s personal struggles.

“My advice to others would be to speak out for others and if you can’t tell your parents, tell a trusted adult,” Tierney said.