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Reading
Young Adult
Adventure
Humor
Psychology
Realistic Fiction
Romance
I read books multiple times per week
Addison Whipple
1,615
Bold Points3x
Nominee1x
Finalist![user profile avatar](https://static.bold.org/profilePictures/fbimg16991096815212264f5d7298d42f3b9e10b96b3844a03.webp)
Addison Whipple
1,615
Bold Points3x
Nominee1x
FinalistBio
I plan on attaining my masters so I can be a mental health therapist. I aspire to destigmatize mental illnesses and help people achieve their dreams, without letting mental illnesses hold them back. I am hardworking and motivated in school, and am a part of our National Honor Society. I spend my free time volunteering in my community and at church and being involved in clubs at my school.
Education
Southeast Polk High School
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Majors of interest:
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
- Psychology, General
Career
Dream career field:
Mental Health Care
Dream career goals:
Assistant Teacher
Shining Stars Daycare2021 – Present3 years
Arts
- MusicPresent
Public services
Volunteering
Key Club2021 – Present
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Disney Channel Rewind Scholarship
If I could choose two shows to do a crossover episode I would choose Liv and Maddie and Good Luck Charlie. The episode would be called Good Luck Liv and Maddie. In this episode, the Duncan family goes on a summer family road trip across the country in a camper. When they get to Wisconsin, their camper breaks down and they get stuck in Wisconsin. While there they do a lot of sightseeing and run into Liv and Maddie. They recognize Liv from her TV show and the family is ecstatic about meeting someone famous. Teddy connects instantly with Liv and Maddie, and they become fast friends. Since the Duncan family camper broke down, Liv and Maddie welcome the Duncan family into their home while the camper is worked on.
During the Duncans' stay with the Rooneys', Parker connects with Gabe and guides him around his school. While wandering around the hallways they find a flyer for a robotics competition and decide to join together as a team. PJ and Joey decide to join together as Parkers' and Gabes' rivals. Both groups work diligently to make the best robot, but then Artie decides to join the competition with his minions, and in order to beat Artie, Parker, Gabe, PJ, and Joey decide to team up. They work against the clock to design and create an unstoppable robot. This robot has amazing powers, such as super strength and super speed. When it's time for the robots to compete, the robots go rogue and they end up having to destroy the robots before it destroys them. At the end of the day they realize that when you work as a team, anything is possible.
While Parker, Gabe, PJ, and Joey are at the robotics competition, Charlie and Teddy have an adventure of their own. Charlie joins Teddy as she spends the day with Liv and Maddie touring Liv's studio. During the tour, Charlie accidentally gets lost and a staff member mistakes Charlie as an actor. Charlie gets treated like a queen when everyone thinks that she's a part of the show, meanwhile, Liv, Maddie, and Teddy are clueless that Charlie is missing. Teddy runs into a cute actor at the studio and Maddie and Liv both work separately to show Teddy what to do to attract the guy. Liv teaches Teddy how to be a proper lady. She picks out dresses, heels, and jewelry for Teddy to wear, applies makeup, and tries new hairdos. Maddie on the other hand tells Teddy that she needs to be interested in what guys are interested in, so she teaches Teddy how to play basketball and baseball. Teddy then tries both of these ways, and neither works, so she decides to be herself and they all learn that the best way to attract someone is by being your true self. At the end of the day, Charlie finds her way back to Liv, Maddie, and Teddy without ever being noticed she was gone, and none of them realize she acted in a show until they watch a trailer for the episode later that night.
Back at the Rooney household, Bob discovers cockroaches in the Rooney's house from Parker's tunnels. Bob, Amy, Karen, and Pete explore the tunnel and end up getting lost. They explore the tunnels and Karen and Pete are astonished at how vast they are. Once they find their way out of the tunnels, Pete and Karen make Parker fill the tunnels. However, Parker fixes his robot well enough to recreate the tunnels without his parents' knowledge and then destroys the robot for good.
Project Kennedy Fighting Cancers of All Colors Scholarship
When I was five months old I was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma stage 4 high risk. I went through six rounds of chemo, multiple surgeries, and many tests. At 17 years old now, I am 15 years cancer free. Growing up, I was always different from other kids. I had disabilities, medical concerns, and frequent doctor appointments that set me apart from other kids. Because of this, I now suffer from depression and anxiety. Growing up in a hospital also led me to have PTSD. I don't suffer from as many medical problems now as I did as a kid, but the lasting effects of my treatment remain with me and the emotional burden of the trauma is something that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
At the age of two years old, my identical twin sister was also diagnosed with Neuroblastoma stage 4 high risk. She passed away later that same year from complications from a stem cell transplant. My whole life I have struggled greatly with grief and feeling as if there is a part of me that is missing. This is yet another thing that has set me apart from other "normal" children. Ever since I was a young kid I always knew I wanted to make a huge impact in the world. I experience survivor's guilt often, wondering "Why me?". I know that I am here for a purpose, and I want to make the most out of my life to help others. I let the grief and hardships be fuel to my flame of being passionate about making an impact in our world.
Once I graduate high school I plan on attending college to attain my master's in clinical mental health so I can become a therapist. I want to help other people who have also struggled with mental health. What helped me the most during the darkest moments in my life was having people take the time to listen and love me for who I am, rather than judge. I leaned significantly on the support of friends and family, and they are the reason I am where I am today. These people showed me that my life mattered and that I was not alone. I want to be a light and refuge for others, and help people to know that they too are not alone. Especially in the journey with cancer, the whole family is affected and no one has to go through it alone. This occupation is perfect for me because I will be able to relate to others, I am empathetic, I'm passionate about serving others, and I care deeply about people.
After high school, I also plan on advocating for childhood cancer, since only 4% of funding goes to all childhood cancer. I have met many other kids who have also had cancer in their lifetime, and unfortunately, some of these kids have passed away. These children deserve more than 4% percent. They deserve to have access to less toxic treatment that deprives them of the quality of their life. These children are our future, and they deserve the chance to change the world and become something amazing. I plan on advocating for childhood cancer in college by starting a Dance Marathon, which is an organization that dances for 24 hours straight to raise money for children's hospitals. I want to use my story to raise awareness, raise money for childhood cancer research funding, and serve organizations that helped my family and me through our cancer journey.
Harriett Russell Carr Memorial Scholarship
Recently I had the opportunity to give back to an organization that gave a lot to me. When I was little I had cancer and as I grew up I always felt different because no one understood what I went through. I started going to a camp called Camp Heart Connection and I found a place where I belonged. This camp provides a safe and fun environment for cancer patients and survivors to be a “normal” kid for one week and connect with other children who have gone through the same journey as them. This camp has impacted my life immensely and I will forever be grateful for the friends I’ve met there. This summer I was able to be a leader in training at the camp. A leader in training is a program designed for young teens who plan on becoming camp counselors after they graduate from the program. Before camp, all of the leaders in training got together to do training. We discussed many topics such as inclusion, safety, and leadership qualities. In these sessions, I learned how to become a good counselor, and also how to become a leader.
At the camp, I was able to meet many families who have gone through different types of journeys. I gained empathy and compassion for these families as they told their stories. The families taught me to be grateful for every day because life isn’t guaranteed. There was one family in particular that I became exceptionally close to. On the first night of camp, I decided to play card games with the kids to break the ice and help the families feel welcome. One of the kids, a 7 year old, became very attached to me, and I became very attached to him. It was his first year at camp, so I felt blessed to be able to make him feel welcome at camp and make so many amazing memories that he will carry with him for the rest of his life. I was also able to get to know the whole family and not only make the 7 year old feel welcome, but also his siblings and parents. Due to COVID, the camp was family style and I made it my mission to make sure everyone felt included, not just the cancer kid. I still keep in contact with the family because we built such a close connection. Also, while talking to the 7 year old's mom, I learned that he and I had the same cancer I had so I was able to provide hope for the family in the midst of their cancer journey. I am so grateful that I was able to be a part of the amazing staff to make camp as magical and memorable for the families as it was for me. I also built many connections and gained many memories that will last a lifetime.
I am currently a youth board representative for this organization, and have made it my mission to give back to this community as much as I can. Being on the board has allowed me to give my input about events, and I get to be apart of the planning for fundraisers. I also have had more opportunities to volunteer with the organization, which has allowed me to make more connections with families that have had to endure a life with childhood cancer. It means a lot to me to be able to serve a community that has shaped who I've become today, and that has blessed me with some of my best memories and tight-knit community.
Gabriel Martin Memorial Annual Scholarship
When I was five months old I was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma stage 4 high risk. I am 17 years old now and 15 years cancer-free, but the treatment I had as a kid has left me with many medical issues. As a 5-month-old who only weighed 10 pounds, I was given medicine that was created with a 60-year-old with cancer in mind. The harsh treatment I was given left me with hearing loss, growth hormone deficiency, and 10 missing teeth. Along with that, I have to have frequent doctor appointments to check my heart, bone density, and kidneys. These medical conditions have impacted my learning a lot. I have had to work harder than other students to keep up since my hearing loss can cause me to miss out on important information and force me to work harder to pay attention. My dental problems have caused me to miss a lot of school for dentist appointments, and I've also had to miss school for oncology, cardiac, and kidney appointments, so I have to spend my spare time catching up on my own.
Growing up with these medical conditions has caused me to have a lot of mental health issues. I struggle with anxiety, PTSD, and depression. Having experience with mental illnesses has inspired me to pursue a career in mental health therapy. To achieve this I plan to go to a four-year college to major in psychology. Then I want to continue my education by getting my masters in clinical mental health. My main goal is to serve others and help them to reach their full potential. What helped me most during the darkest moments of my life was having people take the time to listen. These people showed me that my life mattered and that I was not alone. I also want to be a light and refuge for others. Andrew Gifford once said, “You can’t change the whole world. You can change a person’s world. The more people you help, the more worlds you’ve changed”. I desire to impact as many lives as I can and be a resource to people struggling with their mental health. This occupation is perfect for me because I will be able to relate to others, I am empathetic, and I care deeply about people.
Many people get trapped in their thoughts and this issue has escalated with social media planting seeds of jealousy, anxiety, and insecurities in people's minds. I personally have struggled with this when I see people who don't have medical issues, and I get jealous of their life. My goal as a therapist would be to free people from their insecurity and fear so they can fly. The number of people with mental illnesses has increased drastically and, as a result, so has the need for therapists. Counseling is a growing industry and employment rates have skyrocketed compared to other occupations. In college, I will learn techniques to help people struggling with mental illness and also the psychological reason behind behaviors. I love learning about how the brain works and I am excited to further my education about it. My ultimate dream is to shed light on mental health and aid others wherever they are in their mental health journey. I can use my story to connect to others, meet them wherever they are in their life, and guide them forward.
Autumn Davis Memorial Scholarship
My experience with mental health has had a significant impact on my life. I have struggled with depression, anxiety, and PTSD for years and it has influenced my beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations in many ways. For starters, my struggle with my mental health has inspired me to help others who are also struggling with mental illnesses. I have fought a lot with depression and anxiety, and I know how isolating it can feel to battle it. I do not want anyone to feel like they are alone in their battle. Having depression and anxiety helps me to relate to other people and have empathy, which is why I believe I would be a good mental health therapist. If I get this scholarship I plan on using the money to pay for college so I can attain my master's in clinical mental health and become a mental health therapist.
My battle with mental illnesses has also influenced my religion. Struggling with depression and anxiety has brought me closer to God because it has taught me to rely on him. Everything in life is always changing which can be stressful, but I take comfort in knowing that God never changes and His love is consistent. My goal as a mental health therapist is to destigmatize mental health in the church. There is still a lot of shame that is associated with having a mental illness, and I hope to advocate that mental health is just as important as physical health and everyone deserves to get the help they need without any judgement.
My journey with mental health has also affected my character. I believe that my struggles with my mental illnesses have made me more empathetic and compassionate towards others. I know what it's like to be the lonely kid who doesn't really belong anywhere, so I always make it my mission to make everyone feel included, loved, and like they belong. No one should ever have to feel like they are not worthy of love or of existing. Everyone deserves to feel seen and known. For so long I have struggled with the mindset that I am invisible, a burden, and that no one truly cares. I wish that no one else ever has to feel that way, because it's not true and it becomes too easy to become trapped by the lies our mind tells us. My plan for my future is to become a Christian mental health therapist because I know that God can use me to display His love to others. I believe that the best way to fight the lies anxiety and depression is to confront these lies with truth from the scripture. When our minds tell us that we are unloved, God tells us that He sent his son to die for us. When our minds tell us that we are a burden, God tells us to cast all of our worries onto him. Everyone deserves a chance to know how truly and unconditionally loved they are, and I hope that I can be a light for others.
Elizabeth Schalk Memorial Scholarship
My experience with mental health has had a significant impact on my life. I have struggled with depression, anxiety, and PTSD for years and it has influenced my beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations in many ways. For starters, my struggle with my mental health has inspired me to help others who are also struggling with mental illnesses. I have fought a lot with depression and anxiety, and I know how isolating it can feel to battle it. I do not want anyone to feel like they are alone in their battle. Having depression and anxiety helps me to relate to other people and have empathy, which is why I believe I would be a good mental health therapist. If I get this scholarship I plan on using the money to pay for college so I can attain my master's in clinical mental health and become a mental health therapist.
My battle with mental illnesses has also influenced my religion. Struggling with depression and anxiety has brought me closer to God because it has taught me to rely on him. Everything in life is always changing which can be stressful, but I take comfort in knowing that God never changes and His love is consistent. My goal as a mental health therapist is to destigmatize mental health in the church. There is still a lot of shame that is associated with having a mental illness, and I hope to advocate that mental health is just as important as physical health and everyone deserves to get the help they need without any judgement.
My journey with mental health has also affected my character. I believe that my struggles with my mental illnesses have made me more empathetic and compassionate towards others. I know what it's like to be the lonely kid who doesn't really belong anywhere, so I always make it my mission to make everyone feel included, loved, and like they belong. No one should ever have to feel like they are not worthy of love or of existing. Everyone deserves to feel seen and known. For so long I have struggled with the mindset that I am invisible, a burden, and that no one truly cares. I wish that no one else ever has to feel that way, because it's not true and it becomes too easy to become trapped by the lies our mind tells us. My plan for my future is to become a Christian mental health therapist because I know that God can use me to display His love to others. I believe that the best way to fight the lies anxiety and depression is to confront these lies with truth from the scripture. When our minds tell us that we are unloved, God tells us that He sent his son to die for us. When our minds tell us that we are a burden, God tells us to cast all of our worries onto him. Everyone deserves a chance to know how truly and unconditionally loved they are, and I hope that I can be a light for others.
Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship
My experience with mental health has had a significant impact on my life. I have struggled with depression, anxiety, and PTSD for years and it has influenced my beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations in many ways. For starters, my struggle with my mental health has inspired me to help others who are also struggling with mental illnesses. I have fought a lot with depression and anxiety, and I know how isolating it can feel to battle it. I do not want anyone to feel like they are alone in their battle. Having depression and anxiety helps me to relate to other people and have empathy, which is why I believe I would be a good mental health therapist. If I get this scholarship I plan on using the money to pay for college so I can attain my master's in clinical mental health and become a mental health therapist.
My battle with mental illnesses has also influenced my religion. Struggling with depression and anxiety has brought me closer to God because it has taught me to rely on him. Everything in life is always changing which can be stressful, but I take comfort in knowing that God never changes and His love is consistent. My goal as a mental health therapist is to destigmatize mental health in the church. There is still a lot of shame that is associated with having a mental illness, and I hope to advocate that mental health is just as important as physical health and everyone deserves to get the help they need without any judgement.
My journey with mental health has also affected my character. I believe that my struggles with my mental illnesses have made me more empathetic and compassionate towards others. I know what it's like to be the lonely kid who doesn't really belong anywhere, so I always make it my mission to make everyone feel included, loved, and like they belong. No one should ever have to feel like they are not worthy of love or of existing. Everyone deserves to feel seen and known. For so long I have struggled with the mindset that I am invisible, a burden, and that no one truly cares. I wish that no one else ever has to feel that way, because it's not true and it becomes too easy to become trapped by the lies our mind tells us. My plan for my future is to become a Christian mental health therapist because I know that God can use me to display His love to others. I believe that the best way to fight the lies anxiety and depression is to confront these lies with truth from the scripture. When our minds tell us that we are unloved, God tells us that He sent his son to die for us. When our minds tell us that we are a burden, God tells us to cast all of our worries onto him. Everyone deserves a chance to know how truly and unconditionally loved they are, and I hope that I can be a light for others.
A Man Helping Women Helping Women Scholarship
The career I plan on pursuing is a mental health therapist. To achieve this I plan to go to a four-year college and major in psychology. Then I want to continue my education by getting my masters in clinical mental health. This will allow me to have more job opportunities and work at a higher level. My main goal is to serve others and help them to reach their full potential. I have struggled with my mental health, by battling anxiety and depression, and I know many others who have fought similar battles against their mind. What helped me most during the darkest moments was having people take the time to listen. These people showed me that my life mattered and that I was not alone. I also want to be a light and refuge for others. I want to make an impact in our society and in people’s lives. This occupation is perfect for me because I will be able to relate to others, I am empathetic, I'm a good listener, and I care deeply about people.
Until I get to college, I will work hard to achieve good grades and be active in my community. Also, to help with the cost, I will work diligently to attain a high GPA and I currently have a job at a daycare. By working at a daycare I have gained patience and have become more observant, which are two very important qualities for a therapist to have. Once I get into college, I will work hard to get my diploma so I can find a job doing what I love.
While in high school I have had a lot of volunteering opportunities. The volunteering experiences are one of my motives for becoming a therapist. I love serving others and spending my time connecting with people. My favorite activity was being a camp counselor. I fell in love with the counselor life. I led a small group of girls and I loved connecting with them and helping them grow. In previous years, I’ve been a camper, and although it was fun, I enjoyed being a counselor by immense measures. Andrew Gifford once said, “You can’t change the whole world. You can change a person’s world. The more people you help, the more worlds you’ve hanged”. I desire to impact as many lives as I can. I hope to be a light for others and be a resource for people who are struggling.
Many people get trapped in their thoughts and this issue has escalated with social media planting seeds of jealousy, anxiety, and insecurities in people's minds. I want to free people from their insecurity and fear so they can fly. The number of people with mental illnesses has increased drastically and, as a result, so has the need for therapists. Counseling is a growing industry and employment rates have skyrocketed compared to other occupations. In college, I will learn techniques to help people struggling with mental illness and also the psychological reason behind behaviors. I love learning about how the brain works and I am excited to further my education about it. My ultimate dream is to shed light on mental health and aid others wherever they are in their mental health journey. I can use my story to connect to others and meet them wherever they are in their life.
Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship
My experience with mental health has had a significant impact on my life. I have struggled with depression, anxiety, and PTSD for years and it has influenced my beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations in many ways. For starters, my struggle with my mental health has inspired me to help others who are also struggling with mental illnesses. I have fought a lot with depression and anxiety, and I know how isolating it can feel to battle it. I do not want anyone to feel like they are alone in their battle. Having depression and anxiety helps me to relate to other people and have empathy, which is why I believe I would be a good mental health therapist. If I get this scholarship I plan on using the money to pay for college so I can attain my master's in clinical mental health and become a mental health therapist.
My battle with mental illnesses has also influenced my religion. Struggling with depression and anxiety has brought me closer to God because it has taught me to rely on him. Everything in life is always changing which can be stressful, but I take comfort in knowing that God never changes and His love is consistent. My goal as a mental health therapist is to destigmatize mental health in the church. There is still a lot of shame that is associated with having a mental illness, and I hope to advocate that mental health is just as important as physical health and everyone deserves to get the help they need without any judgement.
My journey with mental health has also affected my character. I believe that my struggles with my mental illnesses have made me more empathetic and compassionate towards others. I know what it's like to be the lonely kid who doesn't really belong anywhere, so I always make it my mission to make everyone feel included, loved, and like they belong. No one should ever have to feel like they are not worthy of love or of existing. Everyone deserves to feel seen and known. For so long I have struggled with the mindset that I am invisible, a burden, and that no one truly cares. I wish that no one else ever has to feel that way, because it's not true and it becomes too easy to become trapped by the lies our mind tells us. My plan for my future is to become a Christian mental health therapist because I know that God can use me to display His love to others. I believe that the best way to fight the lies anxiety and depression is to confront these lies with truth from the scripture. When our minds tell us that we are unloved, God tells us that He sent his son to die for us. When our minds tell us that we are a burden, God tells us to cast all of our worries onto him. Everyone deserves a chance to know how truly and unconditionally loved they are, and I hope that I can be a light for others.
Eco-Warrior Scholarship
I am involved in the environmental club at my high school, and being in that club has helped me to make intentional choices in my daily life to live more sustainably. In the club, we pick up trash in the park, plant trees, clean up prairies, recycle plastic bags, and build birdhouses. On my own, I make sure to use reusable water bottles, carpool whenever I can, walk or bike to close places, turn off lights in the house when I can use natural light instead, and I always check containers to see if it's safe to recycle them or not.
I think it's so important to reduce your own carbon footprint because you can't change what others do, but you can play your part in saving the environment and I believe every little bit helps. We only get one Earth and we need to do as much as possible to keep it healthy. I believe that our planet is a beautiful place that we were gifted, and it is our job to take care of it. We need to respect the animals and the environment and do our best to preserve what we were given.
Global warming is a significant problem in our world today that affects everyone. We are all different: we have different beliefs, opinions, values, religions, skin color, and cultures. We all come from different backgrounds and different perspectives. However, one thing we all have in common is that we live on the same Earth, and we all need to work together to save it. The carbon from transportation, factories, etc, is killing the environment and it's our fault for not living a more sustainable life. Gandhi once said, "If you want to change the world, start with yourself". This means that if we want to save the Earth and change how sustainable our society lives, we need to first start by being more sustainable ourselves. We can do this by simply changing small everyday actions, such as not using plastic bags or using reusable water bottles instead of buying plastic water bottles. These things may seem insignificant at the time, but in the long run, they make a big impact. We can also take more extreme actions, such as using solar-fueled energy, taking public transportation, or biking to places rather than driving a car. It's important to advocate for these changes and help people become aware of how much control they have over this matter and what they can do. A lot of people don't think that their actions make much of a difference, but if everyone does these small actions it could be life changing. People are only going to change their actions if they realize the truth about our environment, which is why it's also so important to inform people about how our beautiful Earth is dying because of our actions, and only we can save it.
Trever David Clark Memorial Scholarship
My experience with mental health has had a significant impact on my life. I have struggled with depression, anxiety, and PTSD for years and it has influenced my beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations in many ways. For starters, my struggle with my mental health has inspired me to help others who are also struggling with mental illnesses. I have fought a lot with depression and anxiety, and I know how isolating it can feel to battle it. I do not want anyone to feel like they are alone in their battle. Having depression and anxiety helps me to relate to other people and have empathy, which is why I believe I would be a good mental health therapist. If I get this scholarship I plan on using the money to pay for college so I can attain my master's in clinical mental health and become a mental health therapist.
My battle with mental illnesses has also influenced my religion. Struggling with depression and anxiety has brought me closer to God because it has taught me to rely on him. Everything in life is always changing which can be stressful, but I take comfort in knowing that God never changes and His love is consistent. My goal as a mental health therapist is to destigmatize mental health in the church. There is still a lot of shame that is associated with having a mental illness, and I hope to advocate that mental health is just as important as physical health and everyone deserves to get the help they need without any judgement.
My journey with mental health has also affected my character. I believe that my struggles with my mental illnesses have made me more empathetic and compassionate towards others. I know what it's like to be the lonely kid who doesn't really belong anywhere, so I always make it my mission to make everyone feel included, loved, and like they belong. No one should ever have to feel like they are not worthy of love or of existing. Everyone deserves to feel seen and known. For so long I have struggled with the mindset that I am invisible, a burden, and that no one truly cares. I wish that no one else ever has to feel that way, because it's not true and it becomes too easy to become trapped by the lies our mind tells us. My plan for my future is to become a Christian mental health therapist because I know that God can use me to display His love to others. I believe that the best way to fight the lies anxiety and depression is to confront these lies with truth from the scripture. When our minds tell us that we are unloved, God tells us that He sent his son to die for us. When our minds tell us that we are a burden, God tells us to cast all of our worries onto him. Everyone deserves a chance to know how truly and unconditionally loved they are, and I hope that I can be a light for others.
Fishers of Men-tal Health Scholarship
My experience with mental health has had a significant impact on my life. I have struggled with depression, anxiety, and PTSD for years and it has influenced my beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations in many ways. For starters, my struggle with my mental health has inspired me to help other who are also struggling with mental illnesses. I have fought a lot with depression and anxiety, and I know how isolating it can feel to battle it. I do not want anyone to feel like they are alone in their battle. Having depression and anxiety helps me to relate to other people and have empathy, which is why I believe I would be a good mental health therapist. If I get this scholarship I plan on using the money to pay for college so I can attain my master's in clinical mental health and become a mental health therapist.
My battle with mental illnesses has also influenced my religion. Struggling with depression and anxiety has brought me closer to God because it has taught me to rely on him. Everything in life is always changing which can be stressful, but I take comfort in knowing that God never changes and His love is consistent. My goal as a mental health therapist is to destigmatize mental health in the church. There is still a lot of shame that is associated with having a mental illness, and I hope to advocate that mental health is just as important as physical health and everyone deserves to get the help they need without any judgement.
My journey with mental health has also affected my character. I believe that my struggles with my mental illnesses have made me more empathetic and compassionate towards others. I know what it's like to be the lonely kid who doesn't really belong anywhere, so I always make it my mission to make everyone feel included, loved, and like they belong. No one should ever have to feel like they are not worthy of love or of existing. Everyone deserves to feel seen and known. For so long I have struggled with the mindset that I am invisible, a burden, and that no one truly care. I wish that no one else ever has to feel that way, because it's not true and it becomes to easy to become trapped by the lies our mind tells us. My plan for my future is to become a Christian mental health therapist because I know that God can use me to display His love to others. I believe that the best way to fight the lies anxiety and depression tells us to confront these lies with truth from the scripture. When our minds tell us that we are unloved, God tells us that He sent his son to die for us. When our minds tell us that we are a burden, God tells us to cast all of our worries onto him. Everyone deserves a chance to know how truly and unconditionally loved they are, and I hope that I can be a light for others.