Abbey's Bakery Scholarship

What have you learned about mental health during your high-school years and how will you apply it in the yearstocome? When I turned 15, everything changed. I faced going back to in-person school for the first time in a year and a half since Covid restrictions had been lifted, and I was overwhelmed with nervousness and self-doubt. The isolation and time away from a normal school environment had plunged me into a spiral of insecurity and fear of the year to come. Fortunately, I found a wonderful therapist who helped me sort through my thoughts. But more importantly, she helped me feel like my emotions were valid and that I wasn’t crazy for feeling the way I did. I was also fortunate to have supportive friends and parents who listened to me when I needed to vent. I was lucky because I had access to resources that allowed me to feel heard and work through my issues. My name is Grace Newman, and I’m a freshman at UW-La Crosse studying Psychology and Spanish. I grew up in Mahtomedi, Minnesota. My passion for mental health started early; in seventh grade, a friend and I organized a Mental Wellness Month at our middle school. Our main goal was to reduce the stigma around mental health by encouraging open conversations and active listening in school and among friends. In high school, I took AP Psychology and Child Development Psychology, deepening my understanding of mental health. Both of these classes gave me a broader understanding of the human mind and mental health. These classes helped me connect academic material to my own personal experiences and realize how fortunate I am to have supportive people in my life, unlike many who lack such support. I’ve also experienced a darker side of mental health issues. In 2020, my cousin Alex, who had schizophrenia and drug issues, took the lives of my aunt, cousin, and himself. This tragedy shocked my family and I observed the unfortunate reality of untreated mental illness, and the impact it can have when people struggle with medication, diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. Currently, my brother, who has ADHD and OCD, is also battling drug abuse and treatment acceptance. Mental illness is deeply personal to me due to these experiences. In college and beyond, I aspire to be the listener that I once needed. Dr. Ralph G. Nichols, known as the ‘father of listening,’ once said, “The most basic of all human needs is to understand and to be understood.” These words inspire me deeply. My goal is to create a space where people feel truly heard and valued. While listening alone can't cure serious mental illnesses, it's essential for individuals like my cousin Alex to have their conditions recognized so they can begin the journey toward help. I am also driven to learn more about why mental illness occurs, and be a part of solutions for people who are struggling. For my career, I am considering psychiatry or neuroscience so I can have a deeper understanding and make an impact. I also want to pursue a career in psychology because there is not nearly enough mental health support for young people and teens. My brother has struggled to find the right person to talk to, hitting many dead-ends along the way. I want to be a part of the solution of making sure anyone with a mental health concern can access resources to be heard and helped. By providing listening, empathy, and support, I hope to make a positive impact on others' lives, just as these values have impacted mine.

Mental health, especially among youths, one of society's most vulnerable populations, hasn't been taken seriously in the past. Some adults have even said things to me like, "How can someone so young be depressed?" and "What is there to be depressed about?" As a low-income first-generation student, after escaping my abusive father's grasp, my single mother struggled to find resources to help me with my mental health. I lacked support as a child to help me process my trauma. Now, I'm pursuing my dreams of obtaining a Psychology Degree and becoming a Clinical Psychologist to help children struggling with mental health, becoming the person I wish I had when I was younger. I want to help end the stigma that comes with mental health, especially in Asian communities. As an Asian American, I learned very early on that mental health is frowned upon in my culture, with some even believing that there's no such thing as depression. I found that in Vietnam, there is a lack of diagnoses for mental health issues, which made it difficult for me to explain to my mother what was going on inside my head. With my psychology degree, I aim to return to my neighborhood, in San Francisco, “Little Saigon,” and establish my own clinic where I can help Vietnamese youth struggling with mental health and reassure them that they are not alone. To address this specific social issue, I am currently focusing on my education as the foundational step. I am deeply committed to my studies, understanding that gaining a comprehensive education in psychology is crucial to providing effective mental health care. My coursework and education are all geared towards acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to support children and adolescents facing mental health challenges. Additionally, I participate in research projects that explore the unique mental health challenges faced by Asian American youths. This research is vital in developing culturally sensitive approaches to mental health care, ensuring that the services I provide in the future are both effective and respectful of cultural nuances. My efforts are driven by my personal experiences and my desire to make a difference in the lives of others who are going through similar struggles. By working to break down the stigma surrounding mental health in Asian communities and increasing access to mental health resources, I aim to create a future where no child has to face their mental health challenges alone. In my journey, I am also building a network of mentors and peers who share my passion for mental health advocacy. This support system is invaluable as it provides me with guidance, encouragement, and opportunities for collaboration. By learning from those who have already made significant contributions to the field, I am better equipped to make a meaningful impact.