Going to the pediatrician, I noticed that they would ask questions to assess mental health such as “Are you social and have friends?” or “Do you participate in after-school activities?”. The concern about my emotional well-being in addition to my physical health was helpful, but the interactions were brief. This did not help me and my needs were not met. I felt like although it was not the main concern of the checkup, it should be one of the important factors. My mental health can easily be reflected in my physical health. Imagine if psychologist visits were required annually just like the doctor. I want to study mental health and child psychology in order to give other children the support I needed as a child. I was someone who constantly masked my mental concerns by distracting myself with school. I repressed these negative memories because they would bring up overwhelming emotions.. Being a black woman in America, my mental health has consisted of dealing with our constantly evolving world. I felt the ripples of events shown on national news networks because I could relate it to what I have seen in my community. As I sat in a protest, I realized how issues such as racism, intergenerational trauma, and poverty disportionately affect people of color. Mental health care accessibility is needed in my community. This summer, I took initiative in beginning my path to becoming a psychologist. Through the 7-Cups internship program, I became a spokesperson for people who needed emotional support and human connection. From a girl in Pakistan talking to me about feeling invisible and powerless in her family to creating an eating schedule with another girl, I am able to assist people any way they need. Taking Psychology at Lehman College allowed me to understand how human behavior is interconnected with the well-being of our community. It taught me about understanding why people behave the way they do, how they react to the world around them, and what factors may influence this. I created a website “A Daily Dose of Everything” which has allowed me to create a space for people who struggle with mental health. By providing resources for those with PTSD, depression, and anxiety, I was able to bridge the gap in my community, allowing others to start a process of recovery. I want to be the person that I wished I had during difficult times. I’ll listen to the voices and needs of marginalized students before they manifest into long-term mental disorders. Representation for me is not only about being a voice for marginalized students, it’s also about being the person low-income minorities can talk to because it’s hard to open up when you don’t feel like anyone can relate to you. We don’t have a support system and that’s who I want to be. It matters who you talk to, who understands the struggles you face, who you open up to. My goal is to form a united community that strives for change. On my journey, I plan to study psychology with a specialization in adolescents as well as work in different sectors like high schools, family homes, and hospitals. Becoming a child psychologist is about giving someone the resources I didn’t have to be able to ask “Are you okay?” and get a genuine answer. It’s about being able to relate to my patient and talk about how it is like living as a black woman in America with divorced parents. It’s about eradicating the stigma that has been created in our community.