Lexi Hidalgo’s mental health at Active Minds has 3 million TikTok followers
BOCA RATON – What does a typical morning look like for a 23-year-old with a social media following of more than 3 million people?
Not to move. At least that’s the case for Boca Raton native Lexi Hidalgo.
“Use that time individually,” Hidalgo said. “Use that time to practice your faith, your religion, whatever you do, but don’t eat other people.”
Do the same before bed, he advises.
In the past four years, Hidalgo has amassed 2.6 million followers on TikTok alone, appealing strongly to women from their teens to their 30s. She shares almost everything with them – a sunrise at the ocean, a morning chat with someone over coffee, her yoga trip, a volunteer trip to an animal shelter, and most recently, month’s project to make clothes from scraps. she has stopped dressing in her closet.
But she’s taking a big risk with those fans, too, talking about everything from therapy to how she takes care of herself mentally. Although it may not have been his original intention, Hidalgo has created a space where his viewers, whom he considers close friends, feel safe, understood and comfortable to express their opinions on the experiences shared such as addressing social concerns.
It’s that openness that led to her being invited to the White House in August to talk about mental health in social media and, about a week before, to speak at the Active Minds summer conference. held in Washington, DC.
“I wanted to say no badly, just because I was so scared,” Hidalgo said, thinking about Active Minds’ invitation to DC “But I knew in my heart that it was the right thing. I was I want to lead by example and honestly face my fears and do what scares me.”
Later that month, Hidalgo was asked if he would be an ambassador for Active Minds. It is the largest non-profit mental health organization in the country.
The collaboration, Hidalgo said, will advance the conversation about mental health and remove the stigma from it. His hope is to bring nonprofits to local college campuses, like Florida Atlantic University’s.
“I want to do my best to continue to share Active Ideas and keep the conversation going on mental health and make it comfortable and easy,” Hidalgo said, ” even though it’s a difficult topic, finding a way to lift the anxiety of talking about it off other people’s shoulders, and being open and honest about all the things we face. “
Mental health is a major problem among young adults
A recent survey of US college and university students conducted by a non-profit organization found that nearly two-thirds, or 64% of them, report feeling lonely,’ and more than half were concerned about their friends’ mental health. And as the number of young people who commit suicide continues to rise, Active Minds, according to the release, aims to expand the conversation about mental health and create lasting change in the way it is discussed, in noticed and valued.
While sharing his travels or inviting fans to “get ready” with him, Hidalgo often addresses people’s fears and dreams on his platform.
“But I find it very difficult to do that,” he said.
So, he writes.
“When we are in these dark places, our brains are filled with many different situations, thoughts, fears, insecurities,” said Hidalgo. “Our brains are so consumed by everything that could go wrong, and we forget to take a closer look.
BOCA RATON NEWS:The former Boston Red Sox star will host the grand opening of a youth sports center in Boca Raton
BOCA RATON NEWS:Boca Raton turns 100 a year from now and the city has big plans to celebrate
By doing so, he can see the bigger picture and recognize the blessings that surround him. Getting outside and breathing helps, too.
“In your room, you feel like you’re taking up a lot of space and everything feels very big and very strong,” said Hidalgo. “Going outside and looking at nature, the insects, the lizards, the clouds, the sun, feeling the wind, the little silly things that we don’t pay much attention to – once we start paying. Paying more attention to them, I think helping us out is sometimes the only thing you can do.
‘The Moments Podcast’ is a collection of interviews about the highs and lows of youth
In 2021, Hidalgo launched “The Moments Podcast,” a collection of interviews from 30 minutes to an hour that focus on the problems and challenges of young people’s lives. Soon after, the podcast rose to the top of the charts, debuting at No. 4 on Spotify and kept one place in the “Top 10” for several weeks.
In April, his guided journal was published after nearly two and a half years of planning. It offers affirmations and encouragement to anyone who is just starting to write, but it can be filled out by someone who has written all their life, Hidalgo said. It is intended to make people know themselves better.
“Lexi has an amazing ability to connect with young people and make them feel seen and understood,” said Active Minds Founder Alison Malmon. “Her heartfelt approach and commitment to empowering others will be a valuable asset as we work together to create a culture of mental health and support for young people across the country. We I can’t wait to see the difference he will make in inspiring young people to take care of their mental health.”
Jasmine Fernández is a reporter covering Delray Beach and Boca Raton for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jfernandez@pbpost.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jasminefernandz. Help support our work. Register today.
#Lexi #Hidalgos #mental #health #Active #Minds #million #TikTok #followers