I started Between the Words because as a child who experienced social anxiety without even knowing it myself, I understand what it feels like to carry the constant reminder that even the smallest moments can feel overwhelming. I was always labeled the quiet kid. Nobody called it social anxiety. They called it shyness. It was not until I grew older that I realized what I had actually been carrying. Social anxiety in children is often mistaken for shyness, and although it is a prevalent mental health condition, many don't realize how early it forms. In my elementary years, social anxiety held me back from countless opportunities — and I knew I couldn't be the only one. Between the Words is something I wish had existed for me. It is an honest space for every child still carrying it quietly. Not every quiet child has social anxiety, but many children experience the persistent pressure to perform socially, making everyday interactions feel overwhelming. Between the Words exists to remind them that they are not alone in those feelings. This is a place for children, parents, educators, and counselors who believe that no kid should feel broken for being quiet. Every story matters.