Brandon woman speaks out on mental illness as part of pageant platform

Jill Turbak is determined to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness.

The Brandon resident, who was crowned Mrs. South Dakota International 2018 Oct. 22 at the Orpheum Theatre in Sioux Falls, built her pageant platform from life experience.  

“I have lived with depression and anxiety since elementary school and after years of suffering in silence, I was finally able to receive treatment. It is my hope that one day, no one living with a mental illness will hide that part of their life in fear of stigma,” Turbak said.

The goal of her platform – “A Different Kind of Lifeguard: Mental Health Awareness and Advocacy” – is to educate people of the signs and symptoms of mental illness so that they can get help for themselves or others sooner, rather than later. 

Turbak, 27, who served as Miss South Dakota International 2012, said the title is not only an honor, but also a great way to spread that message. 

“I have had the unique experience to see what the crown can do to spread a message of hope, in my case, the message that anyone living with a mental illness can live their dreams,” she said. 

Turbak began to notice signs of depression in herself when she was about 10 years old. She began cutting and isolating herself. Eventually a friend helped her find the strength to tell her parents and get help. 

After graduating from O’Gorman High School in 2008, she went on to earn a B.A. in English from South Dakota State University. 

“I am a very determined person. Every goal that I have set out to accomplish has been met as a direct result of hard work and an unconditional appreciation for my life, mental health struggles and all,” said Turbak, who is also a board member of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in South Dakota. 

“I am living proof that a person can live with a severe mental illness and still live a successful and fulfilling life.”

As a mental health therapist, her husband, Chris, supports her passion. The couple married in 2016 and bought their first home in Brandon last year.

“When I mentioned I wanted to compete for Mrs. South Dakota International, he was immediately supportive, knowing that it is such an amazing platform for sharing my message,” Turbak said. 

Even though she’s not new to the South Dakota International pageants, she said hearing her name announced as the new “Mrs.” was a surprise.  

“I absolutely believe in the message I have to share about mental health, and I feel so blessed that I am the person able to share it,” she said.

When she’s not working on her platform or helping clients at the fitness studio where she works, Turbak enjoys being home with her husband and two cats.

“I am very honored to serve as your Mrs. South Dakota International 2018, but I will always feel the most comfortable and fulfilled at home with my husband Chris and our two rescue cats, Miu and Prada, where I hold the simple title of Mrs. Turbak,” she said.

In addition to advocating for mental health awareness, Turbak will serve as an advocate for Go Red for Women and the American Heart Association, the official platform partner of the International Pageant system.

The South Dakota International Pageants system includes Mrs. (ages 21-56), Miss (19-30), Teen (13-18), Junior Miss (10-12), Young Miss (7-9) and Little Miss (5-6). 

Mrs. South Dakota International is selected based on scores in three areas: personal interview, which makes up 50 percent of the overall score; fitness wear (25 percent), and evening wear (25 percent). 

Contestants crowned become ambassadors for South Dakota and received an official sash, crown and prize package.

Turbak will represent South Dakota in the Mrs. International pageant July 20-21, 2018, in Charleston, West Virginia.