Solomon Vann Memorial Scholarship

I had my first panic attack when I was in elementary school. I was already struggling with ADHD which was a side effect of brain surgery. But Anxiety was different. It had no warnings. I couldn’t control it no matter how hard I tried. I cried and felt afraid going to places that had large crowds of people, even if it was somewhere I wanted to go, including my basketball games. Because I never knew when I would be stricken with Anxiety, I had a hard time focusing. I often overthought everything which made things worse. This made it difficult to know how to ask for help. The one person who knew how to talk to me whenever I was overwhelmed was my Mom. My Mom’s genuine support and her teaching me how to advocate for myself have been pivotal in my Mental Health stability and compassion for others. She was my Mental Health Peer Advocate who taught me how to advocate for mental health awareness. My Mom is a Licensed Minister who writes and speaks about the importance of mental health awareness on social media platforms, in the community, and within the inner city Outreach Ministry. By serving alongside my Mother and dealing with Anxiety on a personal level, I grew to understand that Mental Illness does not discriminate. The Black community, just like other communities of people, suffered from mental and emotional stress, along with a lack of resources and awareness. I believe that mental health advocacy should be taught with inclusion, and compassion and made available for all people. By growing up in church and volunteering in the community, I learned the importance of trusting God while letting go of religious traditions. This meant being open to Therapy. Unfortunately within the Black community, sometimes culture and religious traditions place healing on a person’s ability to attend church, be strong, and salvation alone. These concepts often keep Black people from seeking essential help for mental health issues outside of church. However, faith without advocacy does nothing. Because my Mom believed in God and was determined to help me receive the right care that was best for my health, she normalized Therapy and Emotional Awareness. The Church and its Leaders must do a better job of supporting the Black Community and its members when dealing with mental health issues. Inclusive resources for awareness, healing, and application should be provided. Discussions on mental health advocacy and help should be within the church building. Choosing to go to therapy does not mean that a person is absent from God. This mentality has to change. Now that I am a freshman in college, I see the impact of having learned how to advocate for my Mental Health as a young black child. My Mother’s ongoing support shaped my life. Talking to school counselors when I felt stressed out about my grades and was having really bad days helped me when I could not talk to my Mom or my regular Therapist. I believe onsite Trained Licensed Counselors should be made available in Inner City Community Organizations as well as Black Churches. I also benefited from being on a school team that allowed us to have “round table discussions.” This allowed us to share our emotions in a safe space. Facilitated small groups that focus on mental health should be offered in more safe spaces along with resources from each state’s National Alliance on Mental Illness Organization information. This will teach people how to advocate for themselves and hopefully become a Peer Mental Health Advocate for someone else.

I know first hand about the struggles of mental heath problems. Personally I have struggled with extreme generalized anxiety and social anxiety. I began to struggle around the age of nine. I changed schools when I was ten and struggled so bad with the change. I didn't like change plus I struggled to make friends. I barely slept. Finally halfway through that year my parents took me back to my old school and got me counseling. The counseling helped me tremendously. Eventually I was able to make the school change and be successful. Not only have I struggled, but I have saw my mom's struggle with very debilitating anxiety. Medication and counseling has made all the difference for her. She is so happy and lives her life to the fullest now. It's amazing what treatment for a mental disorder can do in the life of a person. It can greatly improve their life as well as those around them. Black communities face many challenges with mental health. Two of those being the way it is stigmatized and the lack of accessible treatment. The stigma on mental health in the black community has caused them less likely to admit they are suffering and less likely to reach out for help. Black young adults face higher rates of mental health problems than older white and black adults. One reason there is a stigma on seeking treatment is the distrust of the medical community. African Americans have been midiagnosed at higher rates than white patients. The medical community has also exploited the black community in the name of medical advancement. Also, sadly during slavery it was thought that slaves weren't sophisticated enough to experience mental health disorders. This lead many to ignore their mental health problems or dismiss them as just being tired or stressed. Also, through the years in our country all ethnicities were taught that having a mental illness was a sign of weakness. This causes people to keep quiet about their mental pain and never seek help. Unfortunately there is also less access to medical insurance in the black community. There is also a lack of financial means for many in the black community. This leads to this community not getting the mental health treatment they so desperately need. It is my hope that the black community will seek out mental health care and be able to receive it when necessary. There are different ways that there access to mental health care can be improved. One way that our country can take away the stigma in mental health care in the black community is by talking about it in our public schools. When kids learn about something from a young age they are more likely to accept it and realize that they can get help. It makes it more normalized. Children are so understanding and accepting. Another way to promote mental health care and take away the stigma in the African American community is to bring the information to them at community events. Doctors and their staff can reach them by going to them and showing them they care. By doing this they can form relationships and build trust. This will therefore save many lives. I feel like the black community also needs more information on jobs that provide good financial stability and insurance. Good insurance is so important when seeking mental health treatment. I feel like our public schools could help our black youth in this area. Social media can also be a tool in promoting good jobs for the black community.

In a world where the African American community is viewed as “monsters” or “menaces,” their mental health challenges are viewed as insignificant, forcing the African American community to struggle internally. The fight to de-stigmatize mental health within the African American community is not just a journey of healing, but a powerful movement towards embracing the ability to be vulnerable, and also realize that strength and unity are healthy tools to revive our community. Inside of the African American community, mental illness and mental health is seen as a burden. Because of this, a lot of African Americans, men especially, are reluctant to seek help. African American men are portrayed as strong, and often times, seeking for help may seem weak. Individual experiences may not be the same, however, as a group, African Americans are less likely to seek help because of the idea that they have to be stronger in order to be seen as something more. As a person who has struggled with her own mental health challenges, I do believe that it is important to take initiative in the African American community because I do not want my community to struggle alone. My mental health struggle began September 2022, and it took me by surprise. It was my senior year of high school, and I just chalked it up to senioritis. As my senior year went on however, my suffering in silence soon started crying for help. I was scared there wasn’t anyone who understand what I was going through. My school performance was amazing, but I was going through the motions. I turned to marijuana for a source of comfort, and it helped for a while, but ultimately, I was postponing the inevitable. I was drowning, unable to pull myself up. Early December, I tried to take my life. The attempt was unsuccessful, but it scared me because I felt that it was the only way to rid myself of the pain that I was going through internally. My mom, a licensed therapist, sensed there was something wrong, but depression and anxiety made me self-isolate. After my attempt, my mom made me go to therapy. I went, with the condition that my therapist was someone who looked like me. My first session, I did not open up. She just let me talk about whatever came to mind. After the second, I began explaining what was going on inside me. She helped me through it, and although I still struggle with my anxiety and bouts of depression, she continues to help me and be there for me. My therapist showed me ways to keep a handle of the overwhelming thoughts that my anxiety pushed me through and the emotions my depression caused. The first step to destigmatizing mental health is talking about it. Mental health is rarely discussed and more likely to be brushed away as a topic. The community must feel like there is somewhere safe for us to share. Enhancing accessibility to mental health outlets is an important asset to assure that the safety of the African American community. Working mental health into key places in our communities, like the church, will allow for easier access to psychoeducational opportunities. Early childcare centers and schools hosting family events surrounding social emotional learning topics will start the conversation for the whole family. Access to healthcare professionals, like therapists and psychiatrists, that look like reflections of the African American community will be motivation. The African American community will be able to talk to someone who looks like them and who has been through what they have been through.

For someone who has experienced mental health issues, not myself but my mom, which affected me indirectly. Because at my early age I had to look for options to help my mom without her getting mad at me but until today, it's been impossible to make her seek for help or follow a treatment. So, I know how difficult could become a situation like that not only because is hard itself but because there's no resources to treat it. And I'm so glad that I am applying for this scholarship because this list of caucuses can help me a lot to get some help for my mom and make her see live from a different perspective and not like living is a "hell". I would say that improving prevention and early intervention should be the first caucus on the list. By focusing on strategies that stop mental health problems from developing or worsening, we can potentially save many lives from long-term negative consequences and reduce the overall burden on the mental health system. The second caucus on the list should be increasing access to evidence-based mental health treatment and common-sense solutions. This way, we can ensure that people have access to effective treatments and be aware of how different their lives can turn once they complete treatments successfully. The third caucus that should be enhancing the nation's crisis response services. Again, providing immediate support and intervention can save many lives during mental health emergencies. Many people don't know who to rely on when they are having a mental health emergency. So, it is crucial to improve the capacity, coordination, and accessibility of crisis response services to ensure timely and appropriate care for individuals suffering mental health issues. Lastly, expanding the country's mental health professional workforce is in this place because it is based on the understanding that without adequate prevention efforts, access to treatment, and crisis response services, simply increasing the workforce may not address the larger systemic challenges. However, it should be acknowledged that a well-trained and sufficient mental health workforce is vital to support the delivery of quality mental health services. In conclusion, it is essential to recognize that different perspectives and experiences may lead yo different prioritization orders. Some might argue that expanding the mental health professional workforce should be higher on the list, recognizing the need for more providers to meet the growing demand for mental health services. Others might argue for placing crisis response services higher due to the immediate and lifr-saving nature of THEIR interventions. Ultimately, the prioritization order should be determined through robust discussions and considering various stakeholders' opinions.

1. Prevention and Early Intervention Efforts: At the forefront of priorities stands prevention and early intervention efforts. This is not just a chronological necessity but a strategic imperative. By investing in awareness programs, community education, and early intervention initiatives, we can address mental health challenges proactively. For students like me, who face the stresses of academia, these initiatives can create a supportive environment that fosters mental well-being from the outset. 2. Mental Health Professional Workforce Expansion: Expanding the mental health professional workforce takes second place, not due to diminished importance but as a complementary step. With an increased understanding and recognition of mental health issues, the demand for mental health professionals surges. By bolstering the workforce, we ensure that individuals across Alabama, including students, have access to the guidance and support necessary to navigate their mental health journeys. 3. Crisis Response Services Enhancement: Crisis response services come next in priority. In moments of acute need, having an effective crisis response system is critical. This prioritization ensures that those in immediate distress receive timely and appropriate assistance. For students balancing the challenges of academics and potential mental health struggles, a reliable crisis response mechanism can be a lifeline. 4. Access to Evidence-Based Mental Health Treatment: The fourth priority is increasing access to evidence-based mental health treatment. Once prevention, workforce, and crisis response mechanisms are in place, ensuring that individuals can readily access proven and effective treatment modalities becomes paramount. This prioritization is a logical progression that completes the comprehensive mental health support system. While these priorities form a robust foundation continuous assessment and adaptation based on the evolving needs of the community ensure that the mental health support framework remains dynamic and responsive. As we advocate for these priorities, let us be mindful of the individual stories and challenges, recognizing that each student in Alabama is a unique thread in the rich tapestry of our collective well-being. Personally I come from Gadsden Alabama where i was raised by a single mother with an older brother. The stress on my mother was too much to handle and with laws restricting assess to the Prozac medication she had to take my mother was pushed towards an addiction to meth. My girlfriend has also had many struggles with mental health some leading her to be hospitalized and admitted to a mental ward to help her recover. though i dont have many problems with mental health myself I have been surrounded by loved ones who struggle with it everyday, and i do everything i can to help ease their burdens.

Since I was seven years old, I knew I wanted to become an engineer. I was asked in church what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I boldly stood up and answered, Engineer—not knowing what is entailed in becoming an engineer. I have been fortunate and grateful to have great parents and teachers who guided me through school to now attending college in the Fall. As a result of my hard work and their continued guidance, I have achieved a 4.3 GPA. I am part of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Computer Science Honor Society, Rho Kappa, and Mu Theta Society. I am also a 3-year academic letterman recipient, which places me in the top 10% of my class. I was honored to receive the College Board's National African American Recognition Award. During the pandemic, I thought as many had not known what the future held for me, my family, and my friends. I developed anxiety when I was isolated in my home, unable to socialize with my teachers and friends and all that was happening in society. It was a dark time, but with the support of my parents and communication online with my teachers and friends, I achieved a virtual social environment. As a 15 soon to be 16 year old, I regressed from wanting to learn to drive. It took the support of my parents and their willingness to allow me the opportunity to make the choices for a healthier me. I am glad to say that I obtained my graduated driver's license in February 2023. I can now drive myself to school, soccer practice, and social events with my friends without needing my parents to drive me around. I learned adversity tolerance and patience during this period. Thankfully, I overcame this period with support from my family and community. Right before the pandemic, I was chosen as a volunteer to work as a guide at the Birmingham Zoo, but the pandemic hit, and everything shut down. With an academic load of general and Advanced Placement classes, soccer practice and games, and a commitment to achieve a high GPA, I was offered an alternative to my original choice to volunteer. I will always be grateful to my senior Pastor, Jay Downes. Mr. Downes was able to offer me a volunteer position. He told me he wanted me to restore four metal benches to their original glory. Mr. Downes walked me to the church's tool storage shed and the benches. They were rusty and needed a bunch of sanding and painting. No guidance or direction was offered, but a few words, here you go. It took grit, hard work, and sanding less than a day to realize I needed to find an alternative way. I researched online and found an alternative to sanding, Naval Jelly. I was able to cut down the time of sanding to one day. I spent the next two days wiping down and spray-painting the benches. This was the start of my volunteering journey, but I will always be grateful for the opportunity. I learned practical things from this short-lived opportunity. Mr. Downes, unfortunately, passed away over a year ago due to COVID-19, but he will always live on in my mind. My goal is not just to be an engineer but also to achieve my doctorate in Biomolecular Engineering. I now know that it takes dedication to complex work, resilience, and determination to achieve my goal, and with continued support, I know that I can achieve my dreams and goals.

When I was 13, I learned what mental health really was. I had heard about mental health and mental illness because it was "trendy" but I didn't realize that I was also vulnerable. I was uneducated on what mental health was and the importance of maintaining a healthy mind. Peering back into my childhood, I realize I missed several signs of developing mental illnesses that could have probably been avoided, however, my experience with mental illness wasn't the only one to drive me to where I am today. When I was in elementary school I was a very open and friendly person, often engaging in conversations with ease and participating in group activities, however, I was often bullied and avoided as being the "weird" kid because I was considered different. I was diagnosed as Autistic during this time and socialization was not my strong suit. When I entered middle school, I began developing an anxiety disorder, most likely due to bullying or purely just genetics. I became enclosed and sheltered from people that I was not extremely close with. In my later middle school and early high school years, I developed a depressive disorder often triggered by my lack of socialization. I would go to school and then go home, repeating the same process every day. In 10th grade I stepped out of my comfort zone, joining clubs, reconnecting with old friends, attending local football games with them, and putting myself out there. Unfortunately soon after was when the pandemic occurred, resulting in a worldwide lockdown. This took my anxiety and depressive disorder to a level beyond anything I had experienced previously. I developed common symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, specifically intrusive thoughts which caused me to isolate and have suicidal tendencies. This disorder has unfortunately followed me throughout my entire educational career. Once I entered college I began to experience trouble with my eating habits. I had always struggled with my weight as I was overweight growing up and eventually reached a normal weight, although with unhealthy methods. I was told by multiple people that I "weighed too little" or "don't eat enough". I would often go as far as to make myself sick after eating to avoid gaining weight. I have reached a point where I am on the verge of being underweight, though I have started doing better in terms of eating, thanks to the constant support of those close to me. While my personal experience in mental health is playing a crucial role in my personal and career goals, so did the mental health of those around me. Before I left for college, my grandmother developed symptoms of dementia and became very aggressive, causing me to have to abandon her against my best wishes because she rejected to seek help. It was a terrifying experience and has ultimately affected what I want to pursue. This set in stone my decision to first seek a bachelor's, later master's, and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology to become educated in Psychopathology, the study of mental illness and disorders. I want to help others who have suffered as well as have the opportunity to study people suffering from mental illness. I want to be able to study the development of illness and be able to develop a more effective treatment to give them a fulfilling and successful life. Thanks to my experience with mental health, I determined what I wanted to do with my life. It helped me develop an education and career goal. It also has given me several opportunities to help others who have struggled as I have.

I was diagnosed with ADHD last week. Last week. The journey hasn't been easy to get here, and now that I'm at the top of this proverbial mountain, medicated and experiencing what it's like to feel... okay, I think, okay, maybe, it makes me contemplative. While I'm relieved that I've reached this peak, I feel grief for the younger me that suffered in the not-knowing, because I was a hyperactive little girl who couldn't focus, and that was just.... normal. But now I know it wasn't normal-- my undiagnosed mental illness gave me depression when I couldn't function right, and severe, crippling anxiety that my future was over before it even began. Now, I can say that my mental illness did that to me, and I have a little folder of $900 papers to prove it. But... America IS facing a mental health crisis. We're experiencing a new age in many different ways; mental health, of course, being a very notable example. There are stigmas around mental health that debilitate those already suffering, and there is no support out there that can give back the safety, comfort, and optimism for the future that the world has taken from them. Yes, we are in a crisis. But that is not the end. Semicolons exist in lieu of periods for a reason; and so too does the phrase, "this is not over," to follow a grim story. At a national level, change is already happening. One can look at the way the conversation has shifted around mental illness over the last few years. It's not perfect, but people seem to care more than they used to. But, caring is not the only important aspect-- national funding of mental health services to specifically help those in need would be so crucial to help those who are struggling with mental health, and could lessen the social stigma that needing help is something to be ashamed of. At a state level, Alabama would need to implement or support affordable mental health services in areas with higher minority populations, as they are certainly underserved and, considering the nature of racism in not just America, but the South, they certainly deserve to have access to such a vital component of healthy living. School is tricky. It seems these days that anything too "woke" is shot down, and certainly, they might feel the same about any suggested mental health curriculums-- it would be hard to get it to practical stages. But.. Perhaps, just because something is hard, doesn't mean it's not worth doing. Maybe I wouldn't have needed to wait 21 years to feel okay with myself if I had known more about what I was struggling with. I am certain it would help other children with that, too. For community, family, even, we need only follow through on the promise of the name. Community. Having compassion for those around you. Building and fostering support networks for those who feel lost. We're so isolated these days-- I don't know my neighbor's names. And, perhaps similar could be said of our families; sometimes I'm afraid to tell them when I struggle. But what is family for if not to catch us when we stumble? I apologize to myself a lot. For things I say to myself now, and for things I say about my younger self, who didn't know any better. The world can be cruel, but we need not help it in this grim duty. Mental illness is not your fault. Try to treat yourself with the grace you would show your favorite person in the world.

Education is vital and it can help enhance my knowledge to be able to teach other people about mental health. Education is important to me because it reminds me of the story of Malala and how she was unable to get access to education as a girl in her country and she fought for education until she got the approval of doing so. My parents believe in getting an education as it enhances us as individuals and makes us a greater part of society. Some challenges I faced were teachers not believing in me and I thought because they didn’t believe in me, I couldn’t believe in myself. I plan to debunk their beliefs and do everything I can to the best of my ability. Working with adults who have mental illnesses has allowed me to be more aware of others around me and to be grateful. I know of many people who have and still currently are facing mental health crises. On a national and state level, I believe politicians can speak on the importance of mental health and provide resources for people to access health providers so people can access them. My high school monthly spoke about the importance of mental health and the resources but didn’t make the resources available in front of our eyes. I think the schools should have posters to talk about who to call or message when they are going through certain things. I believe that they should also have people who are certified for others to access in the schools so students can speak to them. Students need things right in front of their faces to know they can get help and access it. On a community level, people can be kind to their neighbours. The Bible speaks about being kind to one another and treating others with respect. I believe also having someone readily available to speak to is important. With the community and recreation centres, there should be posters and mental health advisors. After working in my local community center, I realized that a lot of students after school come and cause trouble. After speaking with some of them, they avoid wanting to go home. Knowing that there is someone to talk to and cares about them, is important. On a family level, I believe it is important that our family members listen to us and care about our feelings. Coming from a Caribbean household, it can be difficult to express oneself about mental difficulties but it would be great if parents are educated about mental illnesses and how to cope with them. Just being a listening ear to your child, can make a major impact on their life. I am currently in Business Healthcare Administration and I plan to pursue a master’s in healthcare administration. I then plan to start working in a hospital as a hospital administrator, and CEO, and then go for a Ph.D. in Business. I then want to open my own business to help those who are less fortunate so they can have access to healthcare. I find that this will benefit people as some people in America may not have full access to adequate healthcare. It can start with having a few pop-up clinics and information sessions about mental health and start change from there. I know that God has great things in store for me and it will only be possible once I put God first in everything I do.