One of the most pressing social issues today is the growing mental health crisis among adolescents. As someone currently pursuing a degree in psychology, I’m working hard to be part of the solution. I’m not just preparing to become a clinical psychologist—I’m building a foundation to actively change the lives of young people who are struggling with emotional pain, trauma, and the effects of broken support systems. I’ve chosen to specialize in working with adolescents because I know firsthand how difficult those years can be. I grew up surrounded by people who didn’t have access to therapy or mental health resources. I’ve seen how untreated depression, anxiety, and trauma can shape a person’s entire future. That’s what drives me every single day to keep learning and pushing forward in this challenging field. In addition to my studies, I work in a psychiatric hospital where I lead group therapy sessions for teens. I work under psychiatrists and nurse practitioners, helping adolescents learn coping skills and preparing them for life after discharge. These experiences have helped me understand how important early intervention and education are. Many of these teens have never had anyone teach them how to manage their emotions or even explain what’s happening in their minds. Being able to guide them—sometimes just by sitting down with crayons and paper and helping them process their feelings—is one of the most meaningful parts of my journey so far. Beyond clinical work, I’m in the early stages of developing a community-based prevention program called Youth Defense Project. This voluntary program will focus on helping adolescents understand the biological and environmental causes behind risky behaviors, such as substance use and unsafe sexual activity. The program will offer individual and group counseling, family therapy, and parental education to strengthen the support system around each teen. My goal is to start this program in schools—especially underserved ones—because I believe that when mental health education is made accessible, it can change everything. I’m still in school, and I have a long way to go. But every course I take, every research article I read, and every patient I work with gets me one step closer to being the psychologist I needed growing up. I’m working to address a social issue that affects an entire generation. And I’m doing it by listening, learning, and committing myself fully to creating spaces where young people feel seen, supported, and safe.

Mental health has always been a central part of my life, both personally and professionally. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand how untreated mental illness affects not just the individual, but the entire family. My mother lives with Dissociative Identity Disorder, and during my teenage years, she also battled addiction. Those experiences taught me the importance of compassion, patience, and support lessons I carry with me today as a Mental Health Technician at a psychiatric hospital for adolescents. In my current role, I lead therapeutic groups focused on coping skills, healthy habits, emotional awareness, and self-care. I work with teens who struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma, and more. Many of them feel misunderstood or ignored by the world, and it’s my job to help them feel seen and supported. I guide them through exercises, help them build emotional regulation skills, and offer a safe, nonjudgmental presence during some of their hardest days. These moments have only deepened my commitment to this field. I also understand what it feels like to live with anxiety and depression myself, which makes me more empathetic and grounded in my approach. I know the importance of accessible, compassionate care. and that’s exactly what I want to provide on a larger scale in the future. I’m currently studying psychology with the goal of becoming a licensed clinical psychologist. I plan to specialize in adolescent mental health, focusing on trauma, mood disorders, and early intervention. I want to work in underserved communities and eventually help design educational and prevention programs for youth and families. My goal is to not only treat symptoms but also give people the tools to understand themselves better, rebuild confidence, and move forward. Helping others with their mental health isn’t just my job it’s my calling. Every day, I see how much of a difference it makes to have someone who listens, who truly cares. With continued education, training, and support, I plan to be that person for many more in the years to come.

I didn’t grow up thinking I’d be a psychologist. I just wanted peace. I spent most of my childhood in survival mode, navigating my mom’s Dissociative Identity Disorder, her addiction, and a father who was physically around but emotionally checked out. My grandparents stepped in to raise me, and I took on adult responsibilities early. I cooked, worked multiple jobs as a teenager, and helped support my family. I was the oldest of five, and that came with pressure but also strength. When I first started college in 2014, I wasn’t in a place to focus. Life happened fast. I got married, had kids, and put my education on pause to take care of my family. Coming back to school wasn’t easy, but I did it anyway because I knew I was meant for more. I wanted to give my children a better life and prove to myself that I could still do this. I chose psychology because I’ve lived through the kind of pain that many people carry silently. I understand trauma, not from textbooks, but from real life. That’s what led me to become a Mental Health Technician at a psychiatric hospital for teens. I work under psychiatrists, nurses, and therapists, helping adolescents who struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma, and more. I lead groups on coping skills, self-care, and emotional regulation. I’ve seen how much it means for these teens to be heard, to feel safe, and to have someone who doesn’t judge them. That’s the kind of psychologist I want to be, one who listens, really listens, and helps people feel seen. My goal is to earn my PsyD and specialize in adolescent mental health. I want to focus on mood disorders, anxiety, and trauma, especially in underserved communities where access to good care is limited. Long term, I also want to develop prevention programs that educate teens and their families on how mental health works and how early intervention can change lives. This isn’t just a career path for me. It’s personal. I’ve been the kid who needed help and didn’t know how to ask. I’ve been the adult holding everything together while falling apart inside. And now I get to be the person who shows up for others, especially young people, in a way I wish someone had done for me. This scholarship would help me keep going without burning out. I’m balancing school, work, and raising two kids. It’s not easy, but I’m doing it, and I’m not stopping. With support, I can keep pushing toward the finish line and build the future I’ve worked so hard for.