At NAMI Southwest Washington, we are thrilled to have the support of individuals who are passionate about mental health advocacy. One such advocate is Sandra Fachiol, the newly crowned Miss Clark County 2025. Sandra has dedicated her platform to breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness and has chosen to work closely with NAMI SW WA throughout her reign. We had the privilege of sitting down with Sandra to learn more about her journey and her passion for mental health advocacy.
Introducing Miss Clark County
“Hey y’all! My name is Sandra Fachiol, and I’m a 22-year-old graduate student at Lewis & Clark in Portland, Oregon, pursuing my Ed.S in School Psychology. I grew up in Battle Ground, Washington, and spent three years in Seattle completing my undergraduate degree. When I’m not busy with school or pageant work, I love reading, singing, and playing video games.”
From Pageant Dreams to Mental Health Advocacy
Sandra’s journey with the Miss America Scholarship Opportunity began when she was just 15 years old. Inspired by childhood memories of watching “Toddlers and Tiaras,” she decided to step into the world of pageantry. However, she quickly discovered that Miss America was far more than glamorous dresses and sparkling crowns.
“What I didn’t know when I started competing was that each contestant works on a Community Service Initiative (CSI) throughout their pageant career. I immediately knew I wanted to focus on fighting mental illness stigma because of my personal connection to it.”
Sandra’s dedication led her to win her first title, Miss Northwest 2024, where she participated in events like the NAMI Walk and spoke at mental health workshops. After years of dedication to her platform, she achieved her long-standing goal of becoming Miss Clark County 2025.
“Miss Clark County was the dream title I had been working towards for seven years. Within 48 hours of being crowned, I reached out to NAMI SW WA to start developing a relationship.”
Why Mental Health Advocacy?
Sandra’s passion for mental health advocacy stems from her own lived experience.
“At 14, I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and clinical depression. Coming from a Romanian heritage where mental illness is heavily stigmatized, it was difficult for my family to acknowledge the severity of my condition. Thankfully, my mother, a psychiatric nurse, helped me get the care I needed. Her support made all the difference, and I know many others aren’t as fortunate.”
By sharing her story, Sandra hopes to inspire others to seek help and recognize that recovery is possible.
“It’s easy to put on a ‘picture perfect’ face as a titleholder, but authenticity is incredibly important to me. I want people to know that living with a mental illness doesn’t limit what you can achieve.”
Connecting with NAMI SW WA
Sandra’s connection with NAMI SW WA goes back to her teenage years.
“My mom and I attended our first NAMI Walk when I was 15. I immediately fell in love with the atmosphere of acceptance and advocacy. Seeing hundreds of people unapologetically themselves was powerful. It was a no-brainer to reconnect with NAMI SW WA once I was crowned Miss Clark County. The team has welcomed me with open arms, and I’m excited to grow this partnership.”
Breaking Down Stigmas
Sandra is committed to combating common misconceptions surrounding mental illness.
“One of the biggest misconceptions is that mental illness can simply be ‘willed away.’ People often think that those struggling with mental health just aren’t ‘strong enough.’ In reality, the people I know who live with mental illness are some of the strongest individuals I’ve ever met.”
Sandra also believes in the power of education. As she trains to become an Ending The Silence presenter, she will share her story with schools to promote early intervention and understanding.
“Programs like CALM are doing incredible work in destigmatizing mental health in workplaces, and I think bringing similar initiatives into schools is essential. Educating young people about mental health can have a lasting impact.”
Words of Encouragement
To those who may be struggling with their mental health and are hesitant to seek help, Sandra offers this heartfelt advice:
“Asking for help is often the hardest step. The stigma around mental illness can convince us that we are broken or weak. But I promise you, that is not true. Taking that first step can feel terrifying, but once you do, you’ll realize how many people are willing to stand by your side. NAMI is a great place to start. And if you’re in crisis, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. You are not alone, and help is always available.”
Looking Ahead
We are beyond grateful for Sandra’s passion and dedication to supporting NAMI SW WA. Her voice and advocacy will undoubtedly make a difference in our community. Stay tuned for updates on her journey as Miss Clark County, and join us in supporting her mission to break the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Thank you, Sandra, for your unwavering commitment to mental health advocacy. Together, we can build a world where no one feels alone in their struggle.
