The loss of my best friend, Eva, was an exponentially pivotal moment in my life; it has influenced my career aspirations and lead me to want to pursue the mental health field. Her death was not only a tragedy, at a young age, but also an eye-opening experience that showcased the importance of mental health awareness. This realization has ignited my passion for suicide prevention by bringing awareness to these people and their situations. Eva was someone I confided in and her death hit me particularly hard. She was a source of love, wisdom, and strength. She always found a way to cheer me up when I was feeling sad and calm me down when I was upset, she was truly an angel on this earth and her flame was snuffed by the dark reality of mental health issues. Her death has taught me the importance of shining a light on the silent battles that people face and the need for more open and destigmatized conversations about mental health and suicide. I began to understand how stigma can often stifle the conversation around mental health and prevent individuals from seeking help, causing them to suffer in silence. This motivated me to enter the mental health field, where I can strive to create safe spaces for individuals to express their struggles without fear of judgment. My personal experiences have given me a deep sense of empathy and dedication to helping others find hope during their darkest hours. One way I plan to contribute to mental health awareness and suicide prevention is advocacy and education. By raising awareness of mental health issues and teaching people to recognize warning signs of suicidal thoughts, I hope to empower others to intervene empathetically and effectively. Education on these topics, whether it be day-to-day or in a classroom, is an immensely powerful tool in breaking stigma and creating understanding. I am 100 percent dedicated to promoting open dialogue and understanding about mental health. When people feel seen and supported, they are more likely to feel seen and seek help. In addition to advocacy, I aim to make a difference through developing accessible mental health resources and support networks. So many people who struggle with suicidal thought begin to feel isolated by a lack of access to mental health care. By creating programs that help people connect with professionals, we can provide the support they need to begin their journey towards healing and navigating their challenges. I plan to throw myself into research to better understand the experience and create well-developed strategies for prevention. Staying innovative in my approach will allow me to help people and communities more effectively. Ultimately, Eva's death has given me a profound sense of purpose. Her memory will forever fuel my determination to prioritize mental health and work endlessly to prevent more tragedies like hers. Through advocacy, education, empathetic care, and research, I aspire to honor her legacy by making an impact on the mental health and suicide prevention fields. My goal is to help people find hope, healing, and strength to continue on, ensuring that no one feels alone in their struggles, because we are all living this life for the first time too.