Teens Take the Mic: North Springs Students Shatter Mental Health Myths
This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re proud to share a powerful new project from the students at North Springs High School—an honest, deeply personal podcast that breaks the silence around youth mental health.
Through a partnership between Sandy Springs Together, VOX Teen Communications and Sandy Springs Education Force, a group of North Springs students participated in a four-week journalism workshop this spring. In past years, the program has produced written articles. This year, the students chose a different path—and created a podcast.
The result? A moving and eye-opening episode that challenges stereotypes, calls out harmful assumptions and offers real insight into what teens are facing—and how they’re supporting each other through it.
Meet the Voices Behind the Mic
Hosted by 15-year-old Axel Pearson, the episode features interviews with fellow students Aniya McKenzie, Tatiana Plummer and Imani Shine. Each conversation highlights a different mental health misconception—and what it’s like to navigate those challenges as a young person today.
🎙 Tatiana opens up about living with ADD, the frustration of being labeled “lazy” and the need for adults to take teen experiences seriously.
🎙 Imani shares her story of recovery from self-harm and offers advice for being a safe space to others.
🎙 Aniya reflects on the mental toll of the pandemic and how therapy became essential in her journey toward healing.
🧠 Listen to the full episode here:
👉 VOX ATL: NSHS Students Speak Out About Mental Health Misconceptions
Why It Matters
We know that mental health is health. And we know that young people face unique pressures that too often go unseen or unheard. This podcast makes one thing clear: when we listen to our teens, we learn. When we uplift their voices, we create the space for real change.
This project is a reminder that peer support can be life-changing—and that every student deserves to feel seen, heard and valued.
We are grateful to the students who shared their stories with such courage and to the mentors, educators and partners who made this collaboration possible.
Let’s keep listening—and keep showing up for the next generation.