The Greatness of a Community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.
— Coretta Scott King
When Mesa professionals utilize common resources to help each other, greatness happens! Neighborhood State Farm Insurance Agent, Matt Watson, and the founder of Teen Strong, Sherry Eklund, have united to offer supportive resources for teenage girls struggling with emotional and physical needs.
Teen Strong is an organization formed for the purpose of creating the website iamteenstrong.com, filled with practical information for teens and their parents seeking help with the ever-changing real-life issues that teenagers face daily. Topics such as domestic violence, eating disorders, sex trafficking, substance abuse, and pregnancy are addressed through a universal platform, making help readily available.
Sherry has geared support specifically toward girls because her research shows that teen girls are four times more likely to become depressed than boys, due to body image and low self-esteem. In addition, statistics indicate that girls attempt suicide three times more often than boys. Sherry encourages help for these young people from a first-hand personal perspective, which she hopes empowers young females and their parents.
“As the website has developed and grown, I have become driven to help build up the girls from the inside out, so that they never consider suicide as a solution to a situation,” Sherry said.
Locally, middle and high school counselors throughout Mesa Public Schools are provided information about Teen Strong through outreach and sponsorship from local professionals, which can be shared with students, parents and community members seeking assistance.
Resources include a directory of national and local hotlines, which are accessible for urgent situations, and an Arizona statewide directory of community programs for varying needs. Educational videos and articles provide information and inspiration on topics such as body positivity, mindfulness, dealing with anxiety and depression, self-empowerment, and money matters.
Both Sherry and Matt continue to be local leaders, driven with their presence in the community to provide resources that ensure the safety, opportunity, and well-being for young people and their families. For them, being a leader involves creating leaders too.
What Makes A Community Leader?
Without a doubt, intelligence, determination, management skills, and vision are important qualities for successfully mentoring others. But creative involvement and the emotional support of staff and community — that is the true definition of leadership.
Matt flourishes beyond the home, auto and health insurance needs of his clients. Of course, he specializes in protection in those areas; yet his passion for helping veterans and the future of our youth appears to be the crucial key that keeps this professional smiling and thriving in the Mesa community.
Matt continues to be recognized as a Friend of Teen Strong through financial sponsorship and shares the message of encouragement with others locally as well as through social media.
“Too many young people are losing their lives or hurting themselves due to negative self-image or depression,” said Matt. “Teen Strong offers real stories and resources that have saved lives. Being able to share the mission of this organization in any way possible is the greatest gift. If this information gets in front of just one child, it will all be worth it!”
Sherry, on the other hand, utilized her bachelor’s degree in child development and her master’s degree in educational computing to help her determine the need for a source dedicated directly to our youth. It’s through her partnership with some incredible psychologists, counselors, social workers, and leaders in the community that helped her understand what the real issues are, and what needed to be addressed, to guide her in choosing content for the informational website. She is currently working to create a teen girls council utilizing local teen input for content and website article submissions.
To find out how you can help, visit iamteenstrong.com. Your support can help change the lives of the future leaders in our communities.