ADHDAdvisor Scholarship for Health Students

In my experiences, one of the bigger barriers to seeking mental health support is the belief that one's pain isn't "comparable" to those who may or may not have gone through worse. My friends often try to minimize their own struggles by comparing themselves to my experiences, treating suffering as a competition rather than seeking to use available resources. My preferred form of advocacy is dismantling this mindset by validating their own feelings whilst educating them on the subjective nature of trauma and the potential taxing dangers of gross misjudgment. This advocacy extends to my workplace as well. During our annual insurance enrolment, I try my best to read up on any potential changes and help those who need it navigate the jargon of insurance networks and deductibles. A large portion of my colleagues also happen to use the mental health services here in town or plan to use them, so I try my best to explain the treatments they offer and sliding-scale fees for those who are experiencing any financial restraint. My own history as a survivor of sexual assault and mental illness has also given me a higher capacity for empathizing or sympathizing with the people around me. Aside from being the occasional ear when someone needs it, I try my best to give sound advice without trying to frame myself as a medical professional. For example, I've recently had a coworker confide in me about her young daughter, who is a survivor of abuse and in the process of receiving therapy. Many of her questions stemmed from fear; her little girl was exhibiting behaviors that seemed so out of character. I was never truly "grateful" for what I had experienced until then, and I began telling her the best thing would be to continue her daughter's treatment, to ask her daughter's therapist these questions for clarity, and to seek out help herself due to the nature of those events. As I pursue a degree in Behavioral Neuroscience and biochemistry, I aim to gain a comprehensive understanding of the human mind and body. I believe it would be best, because one's mental well-being extends far beyond its confines, and it's best to view it as a connected system rather than a set of isolated symptoms. By drawing on my own experiences and compassion, my goal is to ensure that no voice goes unheard and no heart remains untouched.

I still remember the way my friend Sam’s voice broke as he confessed over the phone to me that he wanted to commit suicide. He sounded so hopeless, so distraught, as if he had nothing for which to live. Talking to him over the phone was bittersweet – I was heartbroken that he was experiencing suicidal thoughts, glad that I had the tools to calm him down, and sobered by the realization that if not for my own suicidal thoughts a few years earlier, I wouldn't have known how to help Sam. I am grateful that my friend is still alive and thriving today. Both of us have a second chance at living – but, as many stories show, not everyone is so blessed. After helping friend after friend with their mental health struggles, I realized that so many teenagers suffer in silence. Roughly one in five teens struggle with clinical depression, and nearly a third struggle with anxiety. Even with these crippling statistics, our society still stigmatizes people with mental health issues as unusual, pathetic, or asking for attention. So often, teenagers feel like there is no hope for their lives, even though we’ve only just begun our lives and have yet to experience so much joy. I hope that through a career in psychology, I can help teenagers discover this joy and realize that there truly is hope for their lives.  I’ve always been passionate about psychology and Music Therapy as a form of psychology, and my past mental health struggles and motivation to help others intensify this passion. After receiving degrees in Psychology and Music Therapy, I hope to open a private therapy practice and earn my Board Certification in Music Therapy. Through my work, I hope to create a welcoming and non-judgemental platform for teenagers and adults to feel safe and supported to ask for help. After establishing a private practice, I hope to offer free counseling services to my community for lower-income families who might not otherwise be able to access mental health services. I’ve seen the tragic effects suicide and mental illnesses have on my family and close friends. These experiences have inspired me to change the dialogue surrounding mental health. If I receive this scholarship, I will use it to help other teenagers like my cousin and my friend Sam realize that they are loved and worthy of life.