I am Soleil, a NYC based high school student interested in the intersectionality between the criminal justice system and youth mental health. After completing a course in psychology at Colby College in 2023, I realized that there is a need for more awareness and access to mental health treatment, especially for teens. Many symptoms of common mental health conditions can be misinterpreted as disruptive behavior, acting out, teen angst, and reckless decision-making. Without a true understanding of mental health, authorities can end up making the situation worse, and young people are thrown into a downward spiral that’s very hard to pull out of. Through Pathways NYC, I want to make NYC a safer, healthier, more trauma-informed place to grow up. 

 

I’m the Underclassman Leader of the Mental Health Club and Junior Leader of the South Asian Affinity Group (Club) at my school. I’m also on the track team. In my spare time, I love watching classic movies that have made an impact on our collective consciousness and culture, and thinking about how we connect with each other through stories. I’m currently enrolled in the film production course at my school and am enjoying learning more about the behind-the-scenes of movie-making.