Supporting others’ mental health has been a consistent and intentional part of my academic, professional, and personal journey. I currently serve others by listening with empathy, normalizing emotional struggles, and connecting individuals to appropriate resources. I have also learned that when I open up about my own mental health experiences in thoughtful and appropriate ways, it often encourages others to feel safe doing the same. Whether through peer support, academic spaces, or my practicum experience, I approach mental health support from a strengths-based lens that honors each person’s lived experience and cultural background. I am currently enrolled in the School Counseling program at California State University, Northridge, where I am developing the clinical, ethical, and relational skills necessary to support students’ social-emotional well-being. Through my practicum hours, I work directly with students, families, and school staff, gaining hands-on experience in providing emotional support, crisis intervention, and preventative mental health programming. This experience has reinforced my belief that early intervention and consistent support can significantly impact a student’s academic success and overall well-being. My long-term goal is to be a school counselor who prioritizes social justice, equity, and inclusivity. I plan to work closely with families and the broader community to ensure mental health support is accessible and culturally responsive. I am especially passionate about breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly in communities where these conversations are often avoided. I hope to host parent meetings, workshops, and community discussions that educate caregivers on the importance of mental health, emotional regulation, and early support for children and adolescents. As a bilingual individual, I recognize the importance of language access in mental health care. In addition to pursuing my master’s degree, I am obtaining a Spanish certificate at a local community college to better communicate with Spanish-speaking students and caregivers. This commitment allows me to bridge gaps in understanding, build trust, and expand mental health knowledge within underserved communities. Ultimately, while I am currently pursuing my master’s degree in school counseling, I aspire to become licensed in the future so I can expand my scope of practice and support a broader population across diverse settings. I aim to be a consistent resource, someone students and families can rely on for guidance, advocacy, and emotional support—while contributing to a more compassionate, informed, and mentally healthy community.

Growing up in a one-bedroom apartment with my parents and siblings shaped my understanding of resilience, responsibility, and hope. Being raised in a low-income household with limited space, constant financial strain, and no quiet place to study taught me how to persist through challenges that felt much larger than me. My mother’s long-term medical and emotional struggles often placed me in the role of caregiver, translating, helping with daily tasks, and providing steady emotional support from a young age. At the same time, my father worked long hours at a local mechanic shop. Watching him come home exhausted, bruised, and worn from the physical demands of his labor shaped how I viewed education. Even on the hardest days, he reminded me that “your education is something no one can ever take away from you,” a message that became the foundation of my determination and the heart behind my ambition. As a first-generation student entering California State University, Northridge, I found the support and belonging I had never experienced outside of home. Through EOP and TRIO Student Support Services, I gained mentorship, academic guidance, and a community that helped me navigate moments when balancing school, caregiving, work, and my own mental health felt overwhelming. These programs helped me feel seen and valued, and they taught me that my background was not a barrier, it was evidence of strength that would shape the empathetic woman I was becoming. My work supporting youth through the Los Angeles Unified School District confirmed my calling. Through supervising programs, leading SEL activities, and supporting students through conflict, stress, and self-expression, I saw firsthand how transformative it is when young people, especially girls, have someone who listens and believes in them. Many of the young girls I work with remind me of my younger self: resilient, hopeful, and silently navigating emotional burdens at home. I want them to know they do not have to shrink themselves to survive. My own mental-health journey deepened that purpose. After multiple car accidents exacerbated my anxiety, I struggled alone with harmful coping behaviors and growing emotional distress. When I finally sought therapy and medication in 2023, I faced cultural stigma at home; my mother’s fear and misunderstanding forced one of the hardest conversations of my life. Opening up about my struggles led to gradual healing and understanding, and it revealed how deeply cultural silence can wound women across generations. Because of this, uplifting women is not just a goal for me, it is a responsibility. I want to help young girls break cycles of generational trauma, silence, and stigma, especially around mental health. I want to teach them that their emotions matter, that healing is not shameful, and that they are allowed to prioritize themselves even when their culture, family, or environment has taught them otherwise. I want them to know they are capable of reshaping their lives and redefining what strength looks like. Women and girls are too often dismissed or taught to hold their pain quietly. As a future school counselor, I hope to create spaces where young women feel empowered to use their voices, challenge harmful patterns, and honor their dreams without apology. My career is not just about supporting students academically, it is about helping the next generation of young women grow into themselves! My journey has shown me that when women support women, entire families and communities begin to heal. Through school counseling, I hope to be part of that healing, guiding young women toward futures they deserve, free from the generational burdens they were never meant to carry.