Mindful Moments by NAMI NextGen Oklahoma

Welcome to Mindful Moments, where young people take the mic to talk about the realities of mental health for young people today. Hosted by the NAMI Oklahoma NextGen Advisory Council, this series dives into honest, stigma-free conversations that empower young people to take charge of their mental well-being!

Each episode will feature personal stories, expert insights, and practical tips, because everyone deserves to be heard, understood, and supported. Whether you're a student, a young adult, or someone who cares about youth mental health, Mindful Moments is your space to listen, learn, and grow.

Host

Emma Valgora

Emma Valgora is a senior at the University of Central Oklahoma, majoring in Musical Theater with minors in Theater and Political Science. Originally from Ponca City, Oklahoma, she grew up noticing a lack of mental health education and resources in schools. Emma began competing within the Miss America Organization over 5 years ago, and is currently serving as Miss Edmond 2024 and Miss Heartland 2025. She is passionate about using her platform to advocate for mental health education and awareness. For this reason, she developed her platform, “Pause. Provide. Prevent.,” which aims to raise awareness and provide resources for mental health education in K-12 schools. Emma published a children’s book to introduce mental health concepts to young children and established “Pause. Provide. Prevent.” as an official nonprofit organization in Oklahoma. She strives to continue her work and inspire others to engage in conversations that can help prevent loneliness in mental health challenges.