Anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and substance use. These are all things that I have experienced in my lifetime and at one point, thought there was not a way out. Seven years ago, I was so deep in the depths of despair that the only solution that I could think of was to end my own life. The universe had other plans for me though. An old friend reached out to me with serendipitous timing and explained that he had gone through a very similar situation and wanted to help me. I enrolled in a 90-day program at an inpatient treatment facility for co-occurring disorders and this friend that threw me a lifesaver while I was drowning was the vice president of this facility. It was incredibly hard to leave my family, job, and lifestyle to go to a different state for 3 months but if I had followed through with my original plan, I could have lost it all forever. What did I have to lose? I took the opportunity seriously and worked hard to get well and put myself back together again. When I came home after completing the program, I realized that the work was just beginning, and I would need continued care to stay on track. I met some amazing and compassionate counselors and therapists during my years of participation in mental health outpatient. These people showed me that I was not alone and belonged in this world. These mental health workers inspired me to find my place in helping others. I decided to get certified as a substance use counselor and began working at a detox facility that is connected to an acute treatment center for mental health stabilization. I was always interested in the behavioral health aspect of the facility, but I did not have the qualifications to work with this clientele. A little over a year ago, I decided to go to college at the age of 39 to get my bachelor's degree in psychology to fulfill my overwhelming drive to become a therapist so I can help others the same way I was in the darkest hours of my life. Around the time I enrolled in college, I was offered an amazing opportunity to serve my community and to help people suffering from mental health and substance use issues. I now work as a co-responding crisis counselor which means I work with law enforcement, the fire department, and EMS to help people in my community. The nature of my calls includes suicide attempts and threats, overdoses, and any mental health-related situation that emergency responders run into. This is a tough job but so rewarding and fulfilling. I think my own experiences with mental health have equipped me to take these cases with compassion and purpose. My experiences also make me an efficient counselor because I want to be a ray of hope for someone by using my lived experiences. The position that I have now is perfect for me while I am in school because I am getting so much experience, building connections, and making a difference that will last a lifetime for some people. After I get my master’s degree in psychology with a specialization in counseling and addiction, I would like to open my own mental health outpatient facility for co-occurring disorders in my small community so I can provide long-term therapy to people suffering from mental health and substance use disorders. I am passionate about pursuing this goal because I want to pay it forward and support people the same way I was when needed. The relationships I have acquired through this journey are incredibly influential and powerful. Unfortunately, my marriage did not make it through the troubling times, but I am still very close friends with my ex-husband, and we are rock stars at co-parenting. My two daughters are very thankful to have a healthy mother in their lives and I am very close with both. I want to show them that it is never too late to accomplish your goals and that mental health is so important. The healthy relationships that I have acquired during this journey are countless and I know that this tribe will continue to grow because of my understanding of the world. Everyone has a purpose and potential, no matter their circumstances, but we can’t do it alone. I truly want to help others in a way that will be impactful and long-lasting in the same way that I was when I needed it most. Thank you for your time and consideration. If I am awarded this scholarship, it will be used to make this world a better place by raising awareness and reducing stigma about mental health.

I am a full-time crisis counselor, mother of two teenagers, and a full-time student working on my bachelor’s in psychology. It is imperative that a person with this much on their plate is in good health- mind, body, and soul. As the saying goes- “One cannot take care of everyone else if they are not taking care of themselves.” I take all aspects of my wellness very seriously. The National Wellness Institute lists six dimensions of wellness including emotional, physical, intellectual, occupational, spiritual, and social (2023). Many people look at well-being as being physically well but there is so much more to personal wellness, and it is very important to focus on each dimension as needed. Physical wellness includes getting the proper exercise, eating well, and sleeping enough in order to maintain a well-balanced lifestyle. To me this means doing yoga several times a week, taking my dog for a walk every evening, eating three healthy meals a day, and sleeping 7-8 hours a night. I am not always 100% successful with these goals, but this is the standard I have set to strive for. If I slip up or life circumstances don’t allow me to fulfill my goals, I am compassionate with myself and remember that tomorrow is another day. Emotional wellness is a dimension that I feel is the most important for me. This includes emotion regulation, psychological well-being, and keeping a positive mindset. I use mindfulness techniques to maintain this aspect of my wellness. Daily meditation, therapy, and utilizing social supports are the main ways that I enrich my emotional wellness. Maintaining personal and professional boundaries is also an important practice. Not allowing people to take advantage of my time or energy is key to keeping centered and balanced. Expanding my mind and learning new things is a priority in my life. I acquired my certification in addiction counseling a couple of years ago and then moved on to work on my bachelor’s at SNHU because I realized how much I enjoy school. I also spend the little bit of free time that I have reading to nurture my intellectual wellness. Occupational wellness is a dimension that most people don’t consider when assessing well-being, but I think it is equally important. I absolutely love my job which fosters my motivation to excel in school. I work with the fire department as a crisis counselor helping people with mental health and substance use issues. This profession gives me a purpose in life and helps me give back to my community. Spiritual and social well-being are often interwoven for me. I belong to a dharma center and go there several times a week for meditation and socialization. I have made lifelong friends there while strengthening my spirituality. My family is a big part of this dimension of my wellness as well. My children are 16 and 20 years old so one of them has moved away for college and the other is always very busy with her own social life, but we make a point to connect as often as possible and are very close. My kids know they can talk to me about anything and rely on me to be there whenever they need something. I must credit my reliability and strength to the attention I give to my well-being. My children, clients, colleagues, and friends know that I will always be available when needed because I have put so much effort into ensuring I am healthy and balanced. References National Wellness Institute. (2023). https://nationalwellness.org/resources/six-dimensions-of-wellness/

I have overcome addiction and mental health problems and have over five years in recovery. I love helping people that I can relate to I am now an addiction counselor going to school for my bachelor's in psychology. My full time job as a first response counselor in the Community Intervention Program. I work with law enforcement helping people in the community experienceing addiction and mental health crisis. Getting my degree will accelerate my career and help me understand why people are experiencing the problems they are dealing with. I am almost 40 years old and have 2 older children so this has been a complete life change in the last 5 years and I have found my calling. Its never too late to make a difference. Thank you for your consideration and time.