On World Mental Health Day, October 10, the News-Press joined Taylor Ragano, Ms. Virginia North America 2024, as she visited patients at nearby Dominion Hospital to deliver a variety of books, games, and puzzles, intended to help patients of the mental health facility stay engaged during their stay.
The visit was part of the Boredom Relief Program (BRP), an initiative Ragano founded in June of this year to address the monotony that patients in mental health facilities often experience.
This is not Ragano’s first time wearing a crown. In 2008, she was crowned Miss Northern Virginia Teen USA, the North America Beauty Pageant’s division for ages 16 to 19. Now in her early thirties, Taylor represents the Ms. division of the pageant, having competed and won against other contestants ages 30 and above throughout the Commonwealth in January of this year.
Ragano’s visit to Dominion was particularly poignant given her personal history. During her senior year, after winning the Miss Northern Virginia Teen USA pageant in 2008, she was hospitalized for mental health reasons.
It wasn’t until four years later, at the age of 22, that Ragano was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She was a patient at Dominion in 2012-2013, and again in 2021.
Ragano’s lived experience provides her with a unique perspective on the challenges faced by patients in similar circumstances, making the mission of BRP especially personal. Her journey to become Ms. Virginia North America has been defined not only by her success, but also by the struggles she’s faced along the way.
With her platform, Ragano is addressing a vital issue: the stigma surrounding mental illness. In the beauty pageant industry — known for prioritizing perfection — Ragano’s candid discussions about her bipolar diagnosis stand out. “I spoke about my mental health journey during my competition” this year, she said, adding that her goal is “to be the first national title holder with bipolar [disorder].” Though she did not win the national competition this year, she plans on continuing to pursue the title — and to destigmatize conditions like bipolar disorder, especially in spaces where vulnerability is not often showcased, along the way.
In the meantime, the BRP is one way Ragano hopes to continue making a tangible difference in the lives of mental health patients. The goal of BRP is to provide patients with engaging, technology-free activities such as books, puzzles, and games — items that can offer a mental break and alleviate the isolation and boredom that can come with extended hospital stays.
Dominion Hospital, where Ragano herself has twice found care and treatment, is one of the first places to benefit from BRP’s efforts.
When asked how the community can support her cause, Ragano explained, “People can support [BRP] by donating to my GoFundMe page (gofund.me/b20c24c7), or by donating [games, puzzles, books, and other safe, technology-free activities] by finding a donation box or emailing [email protected].” She also noted that in early November, she will set up a donation box outside Floris United Methodist Church in Herndon, offering a local drop-off point for those who wish to contribute.
Beyond tangible donations, Ragano emphasizes that awareness is key. “Spread awareness: share information about BRP and mental health challenges on social media, in community groups, and through word of mouth,” she urged. Her call to action is one that seeks to extend conversations about mental health beyond the walls of hospitals, fostering the community openness and understanding necessary to allow those with mental health challenges to thrive.
In the months since its inception, the Boredom Relief Program has already made an impact, but Ragano’s ambitions extend far beyond Dominion Hospital. She hopes to develop BRP into a formal nonprofit organization, bringing relief and understanding to patients in mental health facilities across the state, and potentially beyond.
For Ragano, the journey from a patient at Dominion to a state titleholder has come full circle. By sharing her personal struggles, she aims to create a lasting impact on the way society views mental health. Now, as she continues to champion the Boredom Relief Program, Ragano is doing more than just wearing a crown — she’s using it as a tool for change.
