'Mental health issues don't discriminate:' Miss Utah USA opens up about struggles, hopes

BY MCKENZIE STAUFFER MONDAY, MARCH 2ND 2020

Miss Utah USA 2020 Rachel Slawson is opening up about her struggles with mental health and her hopes to increase suicide prevention efforts. (Photo: KUTV)

(KUTV) — Miss Utah USA 2020 Rachel Slawson is opening up about her struggles with mental health and her hopes to increase suicide prevention efforts.

Slawson is the first openly bisexual contestant to ever compete in the Miss USA pageant.

“I definitely felt some pressure, more than I expected," she said.

KUTV

Since she won the title of Miss Utah, Slawson's been busy traveling the country on a press tour. On her first day back in Utah, she stopped by the 2News studio to discuss her plans to help other Utahns who are struggling with mental health and educate students about suicide.

Slawson says she's a survivor of suicide, which she tried to commit after losing a previous pageant.

“Recovery has been hard, but it’s very possible," Slawson said.

As someone who openly discusses her bipolar diagnoses, Slawson hopes to inspire others to open up about their experiences.

Mental health issues don’t discriminate. It doesn’t matter what you look like.
She’s encouraging everyone to use social media as a platform to share their experiences about overcoming self-esteem issues and talking more about “taboo topics.”

"I think it would become so much more meaningful if people can become their own advocate."

KUTV

She's also hoping to change the way people cope with mental health problems in Utah.

"Mental health issues are so heavily stigmatized and especially bipolar is more so," Slawson said.

I think the shame we carry around those is actually what affects our illness way more then the illness itself, because there are a lot of resources available.
Slawson plans to travel across the state to talk to students about suicide prevention.

“The events around the topic are mostly grieving and that’s not how we prevent it. It’s by having transparent conversations," she said. "It’s important to come together as a community.”

https://kjzz.com/news/local/mental-health-issues-dont-discriminate-miss-utah-usa-opens-up-about-struggles-hopes