A recent Center for Disease and Control (CDC) report, analyzing 2021 data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, showed a startling rise in mental health issues for young adults in the United States, especially for teenage girls. Fifty-seven percent of teenage girls felt “persistently sad or hopeless” while 30 percent of all teens considered attempting suicide.

In response, this past summer, junior Sophie Nystuen created the website, Breathe. It launched in December 2022 and features anonymous posts from people about their struggles. Her work was written about in the Washington Post and the Boston Globe. The following interview covers Nystuen’s journey, from starting the website to its success.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

What prompted you to create a website for teens who have experienced trauma?
For me, writing is very therapeutic. I remember I was taking this class in the summer called “Birth Control.” They talked a lot about reproductive rights and stuff that had to do with gender rights. I don’t remember how I came up with this specific idea, but I realized that “Breathe” would be so helpful for so many people.

I have seen a lot of problems in the community, and I’ve seen my friends and family go through mental health problems. I wanted to make a space for people to say what they have never said.

How much traction did it get at first? What sort of response did it get from your peers and people you knew?
It was a month or two before I actually got any real traffic. I mean, of course, there was a post once in a blue moon and someone would submit something. I had about 10. Then when the Washington Post went live with the article, I got a lot of traffic. I get posts daily now.

How do people’s posts impact you?
It’s really tragic. A lot of the stories are really heartbreaking. I would say, overall, I feel like it’s okay that they are heartbreaking because they’re able to share their stories and use my website as a way to release their anxiety.

I usually try not to do a deep dive in reading them. I read them for threats, names, ages, just so I filter everything. This week, I did read one that was kind of very heartbreaking just because it hit home a little. And that takes me a minute. I think at the end of the day, this is my way of helping people.

How do you hope people will benefit from the website?
I want people to be able to say what they have never said before and process and acknowledge whatever they have gone through. For people reading, I want them to find connections, find someone they relate to and also become aware of so many other issues.

Are adults surprised by the posts?
I think it depends on the adult. But, a lot of them have been shocked by these CDC reports and shocked that their child could go through something so severe.

Do you think that there’s anything the administration or adults can do to help students who are struggling?
I’m part of SHARP (the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention coalition) and we’ve seen a lot of problems with incidences of sexual assault and rape that go through the administration and are not be properly handled. I think the administration needs to do a better job of handling these cases and looking for signs. There are clear signs of someone who is not mentally there. Teachers, staff and adults need to be looking out for them because they could have real consequences and impact someone else’s life.

If you could talk to the people who post anonymously on your website, what would you say?
I’m with you. I’ve got you. And I’m here.