VERMILLION, S.D.(Aberdeen American News) — Before she was crowned Miss South Dakota, Kaitlin O’Neill overcame a mix of serious mental health issues including crippling depression, a destructive inferiority complex and an eating disorder.

The Groton native described her distressed youth and her strategy for recovery last month at the University of South Dakota.

A crowd of students, faculty and staff attended the event. They heard O’Neill’s voice falter when describing her personal issues and strengthen when describing her recovery.

How she revitalized and rebalanced herself was the subject of O’Neill’s presentation at Farber Hall on Sept. 27.

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