FOX 11 Grad Standout: Excelling Anaheim teen hopes to inspire others to end stigma surrounding mental health

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Genesis Garcia is a phenomenal student and her most important marks may come from taking a courageous stand in the battle to end the stigma surrounding mental health. 

Garcia is a recent graduate of Magnolia High School in Anaheim and admits she managed to excel in most areas. 

The longtime student-athlete was also feared on the soccer field. However, Garcia admits the last two years have been rough.

“It got to the point that I almost wanted to take my own life,” Garcia said. 

She credits her support team at Magnolia High School, along with her mother and two sisters for helping her make it to graduation.  Now, she says she’s doing great and hopes to inspire others dealing with mental health issues by talking about her own struggle.

“I want to say to all people dealing with mental health that it is real, and that we need to end the stigma,” she said. 

After high school, Garcia says she’s planning to attend Cypress Community College to start toward her dream of becoming a social worker so she can kids just like her. 

She shares her message to the class of 2020:

“When we put our minds to something, anything is possible.  That we can do it!  We shouldn’t let this pandemic outshine what we’ve accomplished.”

Congratulations to Magnolia High School senior Genesis Garcia on being featured on FOX 11’s Grad Standouts. 

May is Mental Health Awareness month. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, there’s a free bilingual resource available 24 hours a day.  Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.   

If you’d like to nominate someone to be featured go to @dancohenfox11 on Twitter or Facebook and click on the link pinned to Dan’s page.