María Paula is 17 years old and part of a mental health project that marked a before and after in her life. Before joining the program, she was going through a difficult time filled with family conflicts, personal struggles, and emotions she did not know how to manage.

“I felt sad and confused,” she recalls. Her relationship with the people around her, especially her family, was marked by constant tension. However, through workshops held at her school, she found an opportunity to look inward and begin understanding what she was experiencing.

Her process was not immediate, but it was transformative. Through spaces for reflection, case analysis, and support, María Paula began to recognize her own role in conflicts and, most importantly, develop tools to work on herself. “I started understanding myself better and becoming a better person,” she shares.

One of the most significant changes happened in her relationship with herself. In the past, her self-esteem was shaped by rejection and insecurity. Today, she recognizes the importance of self-acceptance and self-care.

“I stopped telling myself that I wasn’t capable and realized that many times I was the one holding myself back.”

This process not only impacted her personal life but also inspired her and her friends to create an initiative called Dancing to Recognize Ourselves. Through dance, they aim to create a space where others can connect with their emotions, express themselves, and strengthen their emotional well-being.

For María Paula, mental health stopped being a distant concept and became a daily tool for living better. Her story reflects how, when young people have safe spaces to express themselves, they can transform not only themselves but also positively impact their communities.