Harvard Student Georgia Messinger Wins The Jed Foundation 14th Annual Student Voice in Mental Health Award For her Groundbreaking Work on the Trill Project

Trill Project is an anonymous social network for mental health peer support that has started over half a million conversations around identity, relationships, and more for young people across the globe.

NEW YORK, NY — The Jed Foundation (JED) announced today Georgia Messinger as the winner of the 2021 Student Voice of Mental Health Award (SVMHA), an annual program that recognizes undergraduate college students for their outstanding work to raise awareness for mental health issues, reduce prejudice around mental illness, and encourage help-seeking among their peers. This comes at a time when mental health issues are on the rise among college students, who are experiencing higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.

Georgia Messinger (she/her) is a rising senior at Harvard University studying psychology and computer science, and is the co-founder of Trill Project, an anonymous social network for mental health peer support that has started over half a million conversations around identity, relationships, and more for young people across the globe.

“The 2021 Student Voice of Mental Health Awardees represent extraordinary achievements for our extraordinary times,” said John MacPhee, executive director and CEO of The Jed Foundation. “I am thrilled to honor Georgia, Julia, Gerardo, and all of the outstanding college students who applied for raising awareness of mental health issues during a time when we must all come together to address these concerns. Their examples make me proud and hopeful about the future.”

JED received a record number of applications this year with more than 170 applications submitted from students across the country who are tackling mental health on their campuses and in their communities in unique and impactful ways. These students are often motivated by their own personal experiences with mental health, and this award brings visibility to their stories and their accomplishments.

The 2021 Finalists are listed below.

• Julia Hansen (she/her) is a rising senior at Occidental College studying urban and environmental policy. She’s the founder of @Theyellowtulipproject, an organization dedicated to smashing the stigma surrounding the topic of mental health in order for people to get the help and hope they need to  grow into healthier, happier and stronger versions of themselves.

• Gerardo De La Torre (he/him) is a student at Diablo Valley College studying computer engineering. He’s a fierce advocate for mental health on his campus, leading various initiatives as the school’s first Wellness Ambassador and playing a pivotal role in bringing free 24/7 telemental health services to his peers.

A committee selected the awardees based on their essays, recommendations, and work portfolio. The winner receives a $3,000 scholarship to be used for educational purposes.

Created in 2008, the Student Voice of Mental Health Award has honored 17 students who come from all walks of life and have gone on to accomplish amazing things in the field of mental health.

About The Jed Foundation (JED)

JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.

Learn more at jedfoundation.org. Check out our programs including: JED Campus (jedcampus.org), Set to Go, ULifeline (ulifeline.org), Half of Us (halfofus.com), Love is Louder (loveislouder.com), and Seize the Awkward (seizetheawkward.org).

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Manuela McDonough
Director, Public Relations
202-812-5290
manuela@jedfoundation.org