Youth Contributor

Raising Awareness: Bekah Gerace

I was lucky to attend a talk by Bekah Gerace. She spoke so clearly on a subject that is very important to me. She flawlessly presented (to a room of 500 professionals) about taking care of those struggling with mental health issues with as much importance as we do those struggling with health issues. This kid amazed me at her ability to engage the room and refocus us on the stark differences in school between a student returning from a concussion protocol vs. a student returning from a psychiatric inpatient hospitalization. She has a wonderful message and I hope to continue to work with her and support her mission in raising awareness to this stark difference in schools. Watch her Ted Talk and be amazed!! Thank you Bekah!

~Ryan

Bio: Bekah Gerace,18, was born and raised in Lancaster County. She recently graduated from Manheim Township High School in 2019 where she participated in cross country and the suicide prevention and awareness club, Aevidum. While at Manheim Township, she participated in the Spanish Immersion program from Kindergarten through eighth grade. Through her high school years, she has faced cancer and many mental health challenges, which have helped shape her into the person she is today. Bekah enjoys writing poetry, photography, listening to music, spending time with her friends, and a number of outdoor activities, such as hiking and canoeing. Bekah will be attending Penn State Berks in the fall to pursue a communication arts and sciences major to begin a career as an author. Through her personal experiences, she is aware of the growing need for not only a change in attitude and perception, but also in the quality of care in the mental health community.