Kristin Melton, Mrs. Midwest International 2012, has a variety of experiences in the field of mental health. Her most recent includes being a parent of a child with a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder — which has only intensified the passion she already had for educating communities about disorders and reducing the stigma that surrounds it.
Over the past 12 years, Kristin has worked with children and families in multiple capacities. She continues as a therapist in the outpatient counseling division of the Illinois Baptist Children’s Home & Family Services; assists Baptist Children’s Home with presenting the high school relationship curriculum, SMART Education, that she created and co-authored for them; currently serves as the social marketing coordinator at Egyptian Health Department promoting System of Care components to transform mental health service delivery; assists local schools with violence prevention and emotional abuse as a Certified Olweus Bullying Prevention Trainer; spent 6 years as a School Counselor in her home school district; and has served on the Saline County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Board and the Norris City-Omaha Wellness Committee. She is also a member of her local family-run organization, PACE (Parent And Caregiver Empowerment).
Next July, Kristin will be competing for the title of Mrs. International 2012 with the intention of bringing full international awareness and multi-country/culture/community collaboration for the Federation of Families. Together, the goal of educating communities will continue everywhere children and families have a need for youth guided, family driven, and strengths-based mental health services. Kristin stated that she feels “extremely privileged to be a part of an organization that works to bring full respect and support to the children and families engaging in mental health services — including the support I myself feel as a parent utilizing this organization.”
Kristin’s involvement with the International Pageant System began in 2008 when she won the title of Mrs. Illinois International 2009. She then competed with the 47 other state/regional/country winners at the Mrs International 2009 Pageant and was 1st Runner-up. Her love and respect for this system grows from the ideals that it promotes — a commitment to family and community. What a wonderful combination for a children’s mental health awareness campaign: a family focused pageant system; a motivated, caring parent, and a family empowerment organization.
For more information about Kristin and her advocacy visit www.kristinmelton.blogspot.com or www.greenribbonadvocate.com. For more information about the International Pageant System, visit www.mrsinternational.com, www.miss-international.us, or www.missteeninternational.us.
Photo Credit: Clay Spann
