Meet the Founder

Hi, I'm Anna Beresford, the founder of Anna's Awareness Initiative. Mental health advocacy is deeply personal to me, and this organization was created from experiences that have shaped both who I am and the way I see the world. 

In 2022, I lost my best friend to suicide. She was someone incredibly important to me and had been such a meaningful part of my life. Losing her changed my perspective in ways that are difficult to put into words. It made me realize how much can exist beneath the surface of what someone shows the world, and how important it is to make sure the people around us know that they are seen, valued, and never alone.

I've also experienced mental health struggles of my own, so I understand how isolating it can feel when you're going through something that others may not fully see or understand. Those experiences strengthened my desire to advocate for more honest conversations surrounding mental health and to help create a world where asking for support is met with compassion rather than judgment.

That's why I created Anna's Awareness Initiative.

What began as a personal mission to raise awareness has grown into a community that has reached more than 7,500 people worldwide. Through mental health education, advocacy, community outreach, awareness campaigns, and our global network of ambassadors, I hope to give people the knowledge and encouragement to not only care for their own mental well-being, but to become more compassionate supporters of the people around them.

One of the most important things I've learned is that making a difference doesn't always require a grand gesture. Sometimes it looks like checking in on someone. Sometimes it's listening without judgment, sharing a resource, speaking up against stigma, or simply reminding another person that they matter.

I can't change what happened in my past, but I can choose what I do with it. Anna's Awareness Initiative is one of the ways I've chosen to turn some of the most difficult experiences of my life into something that can bring education, connection, kindness, and hope to someone else's.

At the heart of everything I do is one belief: no one should ever feel like they have to struggle alone.

Beyond Advocacy

Mental health advocacy is an incredibly important part of my life, but it's also one piece of a much larger story. I'm passionate about writing, modeling, journalism, pageantry, and finding creative ways to connect with others, and I've been incredibly fortunate to pursue opportunities across each of these worlds.

I currently hold the title of Miss United America, a platform that has given me another opportunity to advocate for causes close to my heart and encourage others to use their own voices for good. Pageantry has taught me that a title means the most when it is used to make a difference, and I'm grateful to use mine to promote mental health awareness, kindness, and community involvement.

I'm also an internationally published model. In March 2026, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Paris and walk during Paris Fashion Week, and my modeling journey has also included being featured in ELLE and other publications. Modeling has become an important creative outlet for me and has taught me so much about confidence, self-expression, and having the courage to pursue opportunities that once felt like distant dreams. 

Writing has always been one of the biggest parts of who I am. I'm the published author of three books, including my newest poetry collection, Echoes of a Beating Heart. Much of my writing explores the emotions and experiences that aren't always easy to put into words: love, heartbreak, grief, resilience, healing, and what it means to continue moving forward. I've always believed there is something incredibly powerful about finding the words for feelings someone else may not know how to express.

I also work in marketing and digital media, where I'm able to combine my love for writing, creativity, communication, and storytelling. Those skills have become especially meaningful as I continue growing Anna's Awareness Initiative, developing its digital presence, creating campaigns and educational content, and finding new ways to expand its reach and impact. 

Outside of my work and advocacy, I'm happiest doing the things that allow me to slow down, explore, and be creative. Ice skating is my favorite hobby, and I also love hiking and spending time in nature. I absolutely adore being outdoors. Music is another huge part of my life, and I love both listening to it and making it; I play several instruments and have always enjoyed expressing myself through music. These interests remind me how important it is to make space for the things that simply bring us happiness.

Although advocacy, writing, modeling, pageantry, and journalism may seem like very different paths, I've found that they're connected by many of the same things: creativity, storytelling, self-expression, and purpose. Each has shaped me in a different way and given me opportunities to connect with people, challenge myself, and continue discovering what I'm capable of.

More than anything, I hope my journey reminds other people, especially young people, that they don't have to limit themselves to one passion or fit themselves into one box. You can have more than one dream, follow more than one path, and use the different parts of who you are to create a life that feels meaningful to you. 

No matter where those paths take me, I hope to continue using my voice, my experiences, and the opportunities I'm given to leave a positive impact on the people around me.