This Hudson County student producer wants public?s help to fund a web series about mental health

By Aya Elamroussi | The Jersey Journal

Reyhan Lalaoui was in middle school when she read a life-changing quote on an online writing forum for teenagers. As she sat in bed, her eyes were glued to one of Toni Morrison?s most famous bits of advice to aspiring writers: ?If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn?t been written yet, you must be the one to write it.?

The 18-year-old Lalaoui, who graduated from high school at age 13 and was a community college valedictorian at 16, said that Morrison?s words stuck her.

?It gave me the permission I was looking for to tell the stories I wanted to tell,? Lalaoui told The Jersey Journal.

Set in Jersey City, ?Suicide Spenders" follows six teenagers as they face mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

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