Jack D. McWilliams, Sr. Scholarship

Growing up, I witnessed firsthand how mental illness can challenge a person’s life and the people that love them. In middle school, my best friend struggled with various mental issues. She struggled with various mental illnesses; she relied on me to be there for her. Only being about 11 years old, I did not understand the complexity of her mental health which left me torn. I felt the need to be “a good friend” and keep her secret about her mental health, but there was this urge to seek help so she could genuinely get the help she needed. One day, I woke up with a paragraph of how much she will love and miss me. I texted her multiple times just to receive no reply. I went to school for multiple weeks with no sign of my best friend being there. A teacher came and spoke to me about her, claiming that her mental health was in jeopardy and she had been staying at a mental institution. From this experience, it not only gave me a reality check to how serious mental health is but it also intrigued me to research more in better ways I can help others around me. In high school, I have participated in Mind Matters for four years. Mind Matters focuses on the mental health of students at my school and how to improve it. Being a part of mind matters gives me the opportunity to see different methods of how to help those around me mentally. While being a part of this club, it gave me the power to lead my school’s gay-straight affinity—Spectrum Alliance, by example. Every meeting, we have discussions about how we can better each other’s mental health and love the skin that we are in. Whether it was friends or family members. These moments sparked my curiosity and interest in psychology and mental health, inspiring me to want to learn more about our mind and how it functions. Whether it was friends or family members, I’ve seen how important it is for people to receive the support they need when going through tough times. With the proper help and resources accessibly ready, a cracked egg doesn’t always have to be scrambled. I’ve come to believe that mental health is just as critical as physical health. Yet it often doesn’t receive the correct attention and care it deserves. This is what fuels the passion in me to pursue a career in becoming a psychiatrist- I want to be part of the solution and help those who need it most. Psychology is all around us, often in ways we don’t even notice. From how we cope with stress to how we build relationships, understanding the mind plays a huge role in how we live healthier, happier lives. In college, I’m excited to dive deeper into studying psychology, exploring the science behind our emotions and behavior. I’m eager to learn about mental illnesses, how they develop, how they can be treated, and, most importantly, how I can help people overcome them. A career in psychiatry will give me the tools to provide that kind of help. Going to college is the first step in this journey. It’s where I’ll gain the education I need to turn my passion into a career. I’m excited about the opportunity to take classes that will push me and prepare me for the field of psychiatry. With the right training, I’m confident I can make a real difference in people’s lives, offering them hope and healing when they need it most.