"Yo, I'm Becca. Brace yourself."
Having been a target of bullying while living in numerous shelters before the age of 16, Becca Calla didn't have the easiest childhood growing up. But when the teen was finally diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome and OCD, along with other mental illnesses, she was finally able to seek the help she needed -- and she's now ready to crush the stigma.
In a powerful two-minute video submission for the Change the View 2014 contest, Becca proves that her mental illnesses do not define her or will stop her from achieving her goals.
The 5th annual contest was hosted by Children’s Mental Health Ontario, an organization that represents and supports the providers of child and youth mental health treatment services. Their contest invites Ontario youth to make a short video to show how they can normalize kids' mental health issues for the chance to win $1,500.
"I've been playing violin for 10 years. There are so many things I never thought I'd be able to play that I can now play in my sleep," says Becca. "Now, I know how to release my energy in a healthy way instead of getting angry all the time."
Watch above.
"Ask anyone that knows me now. I'm the happiest girl because I know I'm getting the right support and help I need."
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misidentified Tourette's as a mental, rather than neurological, disorder and misidentified the title of the organization holding the contest.