Miss Tysons 2026
Combating the Stigma

My name is Larissa Manrique, and I am Miss Tysons 2026. I have proudly served in the U.S. Army Reserves for over five and a half years. During my first deployment, I witnessed firsthand how deeply mental health challenges affected service members—both during deployment and after returning home. I saw strong, capable individuals struggle in silence, unsure where to turn or afraid of how seeking help might be perceived. Those experiences stayed with me and ultimately motivated me to create my social impact initiative, Combating the Stigma.

Combating the Stigma is rooted in the belief that no service member should ever feel weak, broken, or alone for needing support. In the military and veteran community, strength is often defined by resilience, endurance, and self-sacrifice—but too often that definition leaves little room for vulnerability. Mental health challenges, stress, and the invisible weight of service are real, yet many are still taught to “push through the suck” rather than reach out. My initiative exists to challenge that mindset. Combating the Stigma means normalizing conversations about mental wellness and reinforcing that asking for help is not a sign of weakness—it is an act of courage.

As Miss Tysons, my goal is to be a visible, trusted advocate who meets service members where they are. I work to do this through community outreach, partnerships with veteran-focused organizations, educational workshops, and social media campaigns that promote awareness and honest dialogue. From hosting Talk About It Tuesday discussions to speaking with military units and local groups, I strive to create spaces that feel safe, supportive, and judgment-free. These efforts are not about telling people what they should feel—they are about validating their experiences and reminding them that help is always within reach.

At the heart of Combating the Stigma is access. Many service members—both active-duty and veterans—are unaware of the resources available to them or are unsure how to begin using them. My mission is to bridge that gap by highlighting mental health, counseling, and wellness resources that already exist but are often overlooked or misunderstood. By connecting individuals to organizations, peer support networks, hotlines, and local services, I want every service member to know they are not alone and that there is a community ready to stand beside them. Through education, advocacy, and compassion, my goal is to help change the narrative—so that seeking support becomes just another way we take care of one another.

Join me in supporting The Headstrong Project as they help to break barriers, provide care, and combat the stigma. Headstrong is on a mission to help service members and veterans across the Nation. They help regardless of age, income, military branch, era of service, or discharge status. Every dollar donated helps provide cost-free mental health care for the military community.