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Mother of New Tampa teen to start foundation to bring awareness to Mental Health issues

Posted at 5:31 PM, May 02, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-03 09:15:56-04

It has been five weeks since a New Tampa teen went missing from her home, only to be found more than a week later dead. 

Hailey Acierno, 17, was found at Flatwoods Park, just two miles south of her home. 

Tragically the teen took her own life. 

Hailey's mother is taking the first step to remember her daughter's name and bring change to Mental Health Awareness. 

Lisa Acierno sat with us with a green ribbon on her dress, the color to bring awareness.

"I don't know what it's going to take us to heal, but yet I feel like it's given me a mission to do something," she said.

Acierno using the Facebook page created to help find her daughter to find a name.

"Someone suggested Hailey's Voice of Hope," she said, "Her voice I guess wasn't loud enough for her struggles, but now, were hoping her voice who supported so many will be heard."

Acierno wants to get communities to talk about mental health issues and hopes to find ways to help spot warning and signs and help people seek proper treatment. 

"She was so caring of others, I feel like she wants us to make a difference."

Acierno hopes to meet with local legislators, health advocates and community leaders to change the stigma around mental health and suicide.