About Me

Hello, my name is Kyleigh Whittemore, and I am a senior at Belmont Abbey College, located in Belmont, North Carolina. In December 2024, I joined the founding team of Voice Up as a volunteer intern, contributing to its mission of advocating for mental health and helping individuals discover their purpose.

After battling my own mental health challenges, I realized that there weren't enough community support networks for people to share their inner thoughts and feelings. Throughout my journey, I learned how to navigate unexpected circumstances by unlocking a deeper sense of my self-image which required me to take the time and reflect on past experiences. Although I utilized a variety of techniques during my recovery process such as therapy and learning new hobbies, I never truly felt like my voice was being heard. Frustration and self-isolation tactics started to kick in when I was feeling misunderstood; however, these bad habits only worsened my mental state as I became unhappy with myself and with life in general. After long periods of anxiety and depression related mental health circumstances, I was able to start speaking more clearly with my support group which allowed me to feel seen again. My personal experiences with mental health prompted me to get out into my community and make a difference in people’s lives by providing them with a platform to tell their stories and perspectives on mental health. 

As part of this program, I developed Inter-VIEW, a project designed to foster meaningful connections within communities through open conversations and shared experiences during a series of interview processes. Recognizing the challenges many individuals face in navigating life’s complexities, I sought to create a platform where people could engage in thoughtful dialogue, gain valuable insights, and feel empowered to share their own stories. By amplifying voices and encouraging genuine discussions, Inter-VIEW aims to promote mental well-being and strengthen the bonds within our communities.