Despite living in the most prosperous and interconnected time in history, rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicide are on the rise. In the United States, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death. It kills someone every 12 minutes.

What’s our solution to the vast and growing mental health problem? A society that tunes out those who struggle and a broken system that offers addictive pharmaceutical drugs, outdated and inconsistent therapy practices, and understaffed hospitals with mediocre care.

My mom, Sheri Rosser, was a victim of this broken approach.

After struggling with depression for decades, going in and out of hospitals, and taking dozens of medications, she lost all hope and took her own life in 2017. It was the most painful and devastating experience of my life.

The Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship is dedicated to my mom, a wonderful woman who taught me the power of authenticity, belief, and compassion.

My hope is that the scholarship inspires greater awareness about mental health and fuels innovative solutions that help the millions of people who are suffering.

When we bring the darkness to light, it will slowly fade.

The scholarship is open to students at any educational level and field of study. The only application requirement is that students have personally experienced challenges with mental health or have had people close to them who have experienced mental health challenges.

Students applying to the scholarship will be required to write an essay about how their experience with mental health has influenced their beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations. While not required, working or volunteering at organizations that increase mental health awareness, provide mental health support, or research mental health solutions will be a plus on student applications.