New York and Virginia passed laws requiring mental health education in schools at the beginning of July. Believe it or not, they are the first states to do so.

Since Virginia is my home state, I was ecstatic. I'm happy to call Virginia home, even though I basically live in Philadelphia now.

I went through the public education system and had a great experience, but aside from a short suicide prevention video during my junior year, I wasn't exposed to any resources for my mental health. I was happy my school tried to start a conversation about mental health, but I feel like students need exposure to mental health education much earlier. I was struggling far before I was shown that 15-minute video. Junior year is usually too late. I know I'm not the only student who dealt with this.

In New York, mental health education will be incorporated into health and physical education curriculum as early as elementary school. In Virginia, it will be introduced into the curriculum during freshman year of high school.

I remember looking through my health textbook in high school. There were so many sections on mental health problems, but we always skipped them. Now I know why. It just wasn't in the curriculum.

I am especially proud of my state because high school students inspired passage of the law. The students proposed ways to address mental health problems in schools, especially those problems that emerged due to bullying. A senator decided to take action after hearing this presentation.

Kids can make a difference. The fact that a senator took action due to a presentation by a group of high schoolers gives me hope. The students who inspired this law without even intending to shows that kids CAN make a change. Your voice CAN be heard.

I truly believe that starting conversations about mental health in schools will save lives. Students will be less afraid to talk about their mental health problems. People are working on decreasing the stigma. One day, I hope we will be in a world where we can talk about mental health freely. Because of laws like this, we are getting closer.

This is a win for mental health advocates. We need to keep pushing. We are making a difference.

Here's a message to the other 48 states: Follow New York and Virginia. Pass mental health education laws.