Mia Dilalla

Tell us a little bit about yourself…

My name Is Mia and I am a senior in high school. I am a part of the International Baccalaureate program at my school and participate in mock trial. I am hoping to attend a college on the east coast to study business or English. I love cats and am hoping to take mine with me to school. I got into mental health advocacy following my diagnosis of anxiety and depression, along with observing my friends also be diagnosed.

 

What’s your connection to Orange County?

I've lived in Orange County my whole life and have been a Girl Scout since kindergarten. I have volunteered all throughout Orange County and love helping my community. I am looking forward to creating a mental health advocacy program at the Boys and Girls Club of Tustin. 

 

Share a little bit about your outlook on life…

I trust the universe to figure out my life and simply keep putting in the amount of work I hope to see come to real life. Doing the right thing is difficult, but so is doing the wrong thing. Either way, life is life, and the only thing we can change as humans is our effort and attitude towards life's outcomes. 

 

What’s your favorite book?

My favorite book is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen because of Elizabeth's snarky attitude and unwilling independence. I like to connect to the characters of books I read and Elizabeth is the closest personality I've found to mine. It's a lovely reminder to be yourself and don't try to change to be liked. 

 

What’s your favorite self-care activity?

I love to hang out with my friends whether silently scrolling on our phones together or venting over pizza. Sometimes just being in the company of someone who knows you so well without having to communicate is the best medication. 

 

What drew you to community mental health work?

My first-hand experience of the lack of mental health resources is ultimately what drew me to community mental health work. Prevention is broadly talked about and rarely assimilates to the culture of adolescents. 

 

How did you get started with Girl Scouts, and what keeps you involved?

I joined Girl Scouts when I was in kindergarten and have enjoyed seeing a direct change in my community through different projects. I stay involved through troop events and continuing individual projects like the Gold Award. 

 

What’s that experience been like? What have you gained from your experience?

My experience as a Girl Scout has been a rollercoaster. In 5th grade, I was a top cookie seller in my county. I’ve taken field trips in epic places like the Sriracha factory, San Francisco, and operations at various corporations. I’ve gained respect for everyone and their journeys in life. It’s given me a greater view of different factors on different people’s lives and how I can help. 

 

What is a Gold Award, and what are you doing yours on? Why do you think this area of service is important?

 

The Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout can receive and is recognized nationally. The requirements for it are that you have to put in a minimum of 80 hours and it has to be sustainable (able to continue within the community). My Gold Award project is educating teens and children on mental health awareness and education. Through the Boys and Girls Club, as well as other organizations, I am creating various workshops to explore mental health. This project is very important to adolescents and my community as many cannot afford basic mental health services or don’t even know where to look. 

 

Why is it valuable to attend community mental health events?

It’s valuable to attend community mental health services because, at its core, the community is the general wellness of its citizens. By educating the next generations, mental health will be destigmatized and affordable for all.