Latinx Psychology Scholarship

Greetings! I am a determined and passionate individual, currently navigating the intricate world of academia as a junior majoring in psychology and minoring in child development. As a first-generation college student, my journey has been marked by perseverance and a resolute commitment to achieving my academic and professional goals. My aspiration to positively impact my community is a driving force behind my pursuit of a psychology major. I recognize the pressing need for improved mental health services in the area where I grew up, where access to adequate healthcare remains a challenge for many. This awareness has fueled my ambition to make a meaningful difference by establishing my own firm or contributing to mental health services in a hospital or community center. The community I come from lacks sufficient resources to address the mental health needs of its residents. Through my studies in psychology, I aim to bridge this gap by providing accessible and culturally sensitive mental health support. My commitment extends beyond personal success; it is rooted in a desire to contribute to the well-being of individuals in my community who may be facing mental health challenges. As I work diligently towards my goal of earning a doctorate degree, I am honing my skills and acquiring the knowledge necessary to effect change. I believe that education is a powerful tool, and with a deep understanding of psychology, I aspire to implement evidence-based interventions and therapeutic approaches tailored to the specific needs of my community. Whether through the establishment of my own practice or working within existing healthcare structures, my aim is to create a positive impact on the mental health landscape of my community. I envision providing counseling services, educational workshops, and outreach programs that empower individuals to prioritize their mental well-being. Being a first-generation college student has instilled in me a sense of responsibility to pave the way for those who may follow. By demonstrating the potential of education and the transformative power of psychology, I hope to inspire others in my community to pursue their aspirations despite any challenges they may face. In essence, my journey in psychology is not just a personal pursuit but a mission to bring about positive change where it is needed most. Through education, advocacy, and hands-on involvement, I aspire to contribute to the creation of a healthier and more resilient community, where individuals have the resources and support they need to thrive mentally and emotionally.

My name is Lisa, and I am a first-generation Latinx woman pursuing higher education. I am also a mother of two little girls. Since I am the first to graduate from high school in my family, this is all new to me, and what I know has been through asking questions and learning what I can. I attend my local community college and plan to transfer to TWU. Although there were some roadblocks in my past, I am committed to accomplishing my goals and making a pragmatic impact in my community. Coming from a low-income household has taught me about the plight of people who don't have many options due to economic hardships or any other disadvantage. I grew up in Koreatown, Los Angeles, shaping my view on life. It gave me a real-world perspective on what poverty can do. How detrimental it is, and what the consequences of not having the right resources can lead to. It's not just the allocation of resources, but the correct methods to properly reach those that need the services most. Over the years, I've met many people from all walks of life, and a theme that I observe throughout is their keen resilience to keep surviving despite it all. Sometimes it becomes too much to bear, and unfortunately, tragedies occur. Many that could have been preventable had they had the proper support. I believe there is no such thing as bad people, just bad circumstances. There is a stigma and lack of empathy for those in society who painfully strive to escape their rut but fail to do so. My decision to go into psychology has stemmed from an innate passion to help those in need of mental health services and provide a support system that is oftentimes, absent. I also know first-hand what it's like to feel like there is nowhere to turn to and that every direction is fraught with too many difficulties. I plan to positively impact my community by working directly with them. I want to come from a place of understanding and acknowledgment that without a sturdy foundation, things will naturally be arduous. I plan to work with my local hospitals and public mental health services. As well as offer services to low-income families, children, and immigrants, connecting them with the means to success, instead of just survival. My plan of obtaining my LPC licensure will assure me that I am well-equipped to handle any issues that I may come across. It will allow me to understand the depth of situations and give me confidence so that I can solve to figure out the best course of action for every unique scenario. My long-term vision is that my contribution to my community will provide the help it needs with my particular understanding of where they come from and that things can get better. All in all, I believe I have found my calling, and I am excited to be able to call this my life-long profession. I want to be able to exert a positive change and give the guidance that I, myself, wish I had gotten as a young child. In conclusion, I want to provide support for the bigger picture. Some communities need help and guidance, and I want to be able to provide at least a sliver of healing. As time has progressed, people have become more detached from one another. Our sense of community has been declining as the world handles one crisis after another. I think it is an honorable way to spend a life trying to provide peace in times of disorder.

I have struggled with anxiety for as long as I remember. When I spoke to my Latin family about how I was feeling, they said that I can choose how I feel and I can choose how I woke up in the morning. For the longest time, I thought there was something wrong with me. That there was something wrong with the way I was feeling. It made me feel guilt and shame because I knew I had a good life and I was mad at myself for feeling the way that I was feeling. My anxiety got so bad to where it was showing physical symptoms so my dad took me to the doctors and they explained to him that I needed to treat my anxiety before it got worse. He didn't understand it but he could tell that I was not okay so we gave therapy a try. In the Latino community, there is no such thing as "bad mental health." Most Latinos believe that mental health illnesses are all in your head. This was my experience and I know so many Latin people with this same experience. This whole experience has made me what to pursue a degree in clinical psychology. I know this is not only a problem in the Latin community but with so many others. I want to be able to help explain to anyone who struggles with a mental illness that there is nothing wrong with them. That it doesn't make you less of a person. I want to speak out on this issue and try to explain to people within these communities that mental health is a real issue. I also wanted to pursue clinical psychology because therapy quite literally changed my life. Having someone to talk to with no judgment being passed lifted a weight off of my shoulders. I want to be that person for someone else. I have a passion for serving people and for me, there is no better way to serve someone than by being there and listening. I think my experience will help me relate to people more. I think it will allow me to better put myself in their shoes to find solutions and ways to cope with their problems. I want people to know that they don't have to go through life alone. I also want them to know that the season they are in is temporary and things do get better. I want to be an advocate for mental health. I want to help eliminate the stigma that is attached to mental illness.