Juanita Robinson English Book Scholarship

Over two years ago, I lost a man that I considered to be a brother. A man that brought out the best of my personality and allowed me to truly be myself. A man who I was never able to beat in the fighting game Injustice 2. A man that was truly a light in the darkness of the world. What could snuff out such a light? The same thing that has snuffed out many lights like him: Suicide. In addition to grappling with a new identity, my friend was wrongly accused of a crime. These demons haunted him long after he proved the truth of the crime. They haunted him until he made his final decision. I've done my best to carry on his legacy of positivity and check on his family since then. Nonetheless, the scar on my heart remains. A scar that burns like an inferno, as it fights for the mental health of men-my fellow brothers. Of all the social issues that I can think about, this one is possibly the most overlooked and the most laughed at. In modern society, misandry has become acceptable, whereas misogyny is still rightfully condemned. While the LGBT community is celebrated in June during Pride Month, Men's Mental Health Month, which also occurs in June, is heavily dismissed. The world has evolved into a place that openly hates men and gladly silences, invalidates, and weaponizes their emotions whilst generalizing all the bad apples of the tree. How can we tell men that it's not okay to cry, and restrict them from a human emotion? How can we care for them as children, but seemingly lose that care once they pass adolescence? How can we deny them of justice when they are abused? How can we falsely accuse them and ruin their lives, and let their perpetrators escape justice? How can we openly hate men and declare that they are not needed, whilst good fathers and laborers exist? What example are we setting for our young boys? Respectfully, I'd be willing to bet my life that whoever reads this essay, may have been guilty of these crimes against men. The whole world is guilty, and even worse, loves to avoid accountability when it comes to these sins by responding with, "Well, who made the system in the first place?" But a response like that is not the "gotcha!" moment that the world thinks it is. No good productivity has ever come from victim-blaming. Instead of pointing fingers, the world should be working on solutions. I plan to become a child psychologist and an author. With the former, I can help the youth with whatever battles they fight, before they reach a breaking point. With the latter, I can raise awareness and create stories that resonate with men who are suffering from the lack of love and care the world has for them, in addition to their own battles. Until then, I will continue to spread love and kindness, checking on people and sharing facts regarding mental health. I urge whoever reads this to do the same. If our human obligation is to help each other, then that includes everyone who is human. Not just women, children, the impoverished, the ones who suffer from war. But our men as well. It's up to each and every last human to fix the world. If I still haven't convinced you, then allow me to leave you with a question to ponder. What would you do to ensure that your brother, son, father, cousin, or best friend doesn't ever commit suicide?

The word “innocence” has always been synonymous with “childhood”. Young children can be seen on playdates, taking trips to the park, and playing games with one another. It's all innocent fun. What happens when children view themselves as inferior or gain habits associated with low self-esteem due to societal standards that surround them? Why is black skin looked at in negative aspects and when does this mindset start? Throughout my life, I’ve been driven by a deeply rooted passion to support and uplift others, specifically within my community. As a young Black woman, I was exposed to the brutality of the world at a very early age. As a young Black woman living in a big city, I witnessed firsthand the challenges and injustices faced by Black youth. Taking the train to and from school, I had a plethora of instances where I was sexually and verbally harassed. Racism, sexism, and hypersexualization are all experiences that Black and other Youth of Color go through daily. This awareness fuels my passion for extending assistance, particularly to young Black girls, who often grapple with these unique obstacles. Research says that adolescent brains cannot fully grasp certain concepts due to their immature cognitive development. They do not fully understand how their actions can result in long-lasting consequences. I have seen this firsthand. Witnessing people that I’ve grown up with stray in the wrong direction has hurt me immensely. With their brains still developing, there is hope to help juveniles before it's too late. Many of them simply need a safe haven and to feel like someone is in their corner. Even if they’re too anxious to have a person in their corner, any healthy source of release can give them the motivation to do better. Throughout my entire life, I’ve studied performing arts. There is a lot of talent hidden behind cell walls. Music, dance, drama, creative writing, poetry, and more can be forms of expression that can potentially release bottled-up emotions. I would love to give these forms of expression to underprivileged youth. I am currently studying both Psychology and Criminology. I have always wanted to give psychological resources to underprivileged communities. Therapy is an extremely taboo topic in the Black community. The lack of resources results from low income, pride, and fear of judgment. This can eventually lead to bottled-up emotions. I aspire to be a psychologist for juveniles in Detention Centers. The prison system puts very little funding into finding people who are qualified to treat these kids. Countless of them need an outlet that they can come to, or a person they know will be in their corner. I want to give psychological resources to communities that are underprivileged. Therapy is an extremely taboo topic in the Black community. The lack of resources is a product of low income, pride, and fear of judgment. This can eventually lead to bottled-up emotions that will potentially put many people in danger. I aspire to be a psychologist for juveniles in Detention Centers. My post-undergraduate plans are to attend Law School with the aspiration to be able to provide legal counsel to my clients alongside healthy coping mechanisms to ensure that they do not repeat bad habits. The prison system puts very little funding into finding people who are qualified to treat these kids. Countless people simply need an outlet that they can come to, or a person they know will be in their corner. With a deep passion brought on by both direct and indirect experiences, I truly feel that the plans I’ve set forth will help those who need it.

Minority groups, specifically the Black community, are prime victims of the United States’ poor healthcare system, and as a result, suffer the most from poor mental health. To be transparent, there are many reasons why this is the case: systematic racism, racial disparities, inaccessibility to readily available resources, and many more. Additionally, many marginalized communities experience socioeconomic determinants that affect their access to and interaction with healthcare. This prompts inquiries into the strategies currently employed or that could be adopted to mitigate health disparities in the United States. As a Black woman aspiring to specialize in Psychiatry, I am particularly interested in the intersection of mental health and its unique effects on the Black community. Many people in this day and age suffer from poor mental health and it does not help that there has been a negative stigma placed on it. Mental health affects anyone and it should not be something to look down upon. As a society, we are infatuated with such impractical standards that when the slightest thing does not fit, it is immediately viewed as wrong. The lack of mental health care advocacy by and for the Black community is a huge reason why people who are affected by these disorders do not get the one on one consultation needed. This is why it is crucial for the increased promotion and education of both neuroscience and psychology, as well as increased advocacy for marginalized communities. The human brain is the root of all, in my opinion, as it determines how an individual receives, reacts, and responds. When our brain undergoes change, we as humans change along with it, whether it is minor or major. As mental health continues to become more common amongst people around the world, there is a growing need to better understand neuroscience, and how it can be used to better people’s mental states. Neuroscience is known to potentially have methods to better “understand the causes of mental distress and to transform how we categorize mental illness and health”. As a current undergraduate student on a pre-medical track who is currently working to become a physician, I hope to use both neuroscience and psychology together to address and educate society on the current issue of mental health and showcase the potential solutions and discoveries that can be made from both sciences. I plan to pursue medicine in order to become more versed with the many different areas of health-related sciences, and make an everlasting impact on those around me. Additionally, I want to be the representation for young black children, as when I was growing up, I never saw a lot of people who looked like me take on jobs relating to STEM. I want to show people you are capable of amazing things and should not be held back by societal standards. I am a person who seeks to get to know the people in my community and have a better understanding of the world. It is one of the many reasons why I have taken an interest in healthcare in general. I hope to not only utilize my learned skills from my college career and hone them with real world applications, but I also hope to be the representation needed for health-related sciences and advocate for my community, especially pertaining to Black mental health. If you want change, you have to act and make it yourself; and that’s what I plan to do. I will work to make the change that I have promoted here before you. I guarantee it.

One social issue that deeply resonates with me is the mental health crisis, especially amongst Black men, who are often overlooked in discussions about mental health care. When doing research into black men's mental health I found that black men are more likely to experience severe psychosis than other men. They also often see mental health as a sign of weakness and do not always want to speak to a person to get the help they need. This is the reason that I decided to try to develop Harmony AI, an AI-powered responsive journaling app designed to help reduce the stigma around mental health, especially in the black community, and help make access to mental help more widespread. Throughout my career, I dream of taking part in more projects like Harmony AI, identifying pressing problems, especially in my community, and using groundbreaking technology to help create change. I envision continuing to develop Harmony AI as the mental health issue continues to grow and as AI continues to evolve. I believe that the automation of processes such as simple therapy and responsive journaling can add a lot of help to mental health disparities. My community service experiences have further fueled my passion for social good. I Organized volunteer drives at the Dimock Center and engaged in tech tutoring for the elderly. These experiences have shown me the impact of service and the importance of addressing unmet needs in the community. Tech tutoring is an example of an underrepresented problem that needs help in our world. The elderly do not always understand how newer technology works and because of this they are very susceptible to hackers and scammers. As technology evolves, and people can use it to imitate voices and even faces, the people who do not understand the technology are at risk of losing a lot. In the long run, I hope to be an entrepreneur who leads technology-based businesses that prioritize social impact. My goal is to create a legacy where innovation is based on the priority of helping the greater good, ensuring that technological advancements are designed with the well-being of individuals in mind. I am particularly inspired by the potential of AI to transform health care and many other fields. I believe that with the right team and resources, initiatives like Harmony AI can make a significant difference. Howard University's commitment to fostering diverse leadership and its focus on service aligns perfectly with my aspirations. I am excited to be a part of the vibrant Howard community, contributing my experiences, and learning from others who share my dedication to social justice and innovation. The university’s emphasis on addressing systemic inequalities and promoting mental health aligns with my core values and the values I hope to prioritize when it comes to business. In conclusion, addressing the mental health crisis among Black men is a cause that I am deeply passionate about. Through my career, I hope to develop and implement technological solutions that make mental health care more accessible, effective, and culturally sensitive. By integrating my technical skills with a strong sense of social responsibility, I aim to create a meaningful impact that echoes Howard's values of leadership, service, and excellence.