Expanding the knowledge we have of mental health is crucial to taking action in helping those struggling with mental illness. By equipping the future generation to better handle mental health issues, there would be less people struggling on their own. The bipartisan Caucus that I believe should be the highest priority is to improve early intervention efforts. This would ensure that people who are struggling with their mental health would receive the help they need quickly. I’m doing this, their state of mental health would not be given time to deteriorate and become more severe. If people received the mental health care they needed then suicide rates would drop dramatically. Saving and improving lives should be the main focus of mental healthcare professionals. The second most important bipartisan Caucus is to expand the country’s professional mental healthcare workforce. The country is in need of properly trained mental healthcare workers who have a passion for helping others. Mental health workers are often overlooked and are discredited for their work. It is a tough job, and it should be respected as much as any other healthcare job. Improving the job environment and showing more appreciation for mental health workers would make people more willing to study mental health. Having courses that will properly equip students to become the best therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, etc. would allow people that struggle with mental health to have more options for receiving help. Not only would they be receiving help, it would be professional help. Third on my personal list is increasing access to evidence-based mental health treatment and common-sense solutions. People who are struggling mentally need easy access to mental health treatments, or else they may never reach out for help. It needs to be right in front of their faces, something they can’t deny. Often times, people who need to talk to someone are scared or intimidated because acknowledging the issue makes it become real. Having access to evidence-based treatments would give patients peace of mind to move forward and begin to enjoy their lives to the full potential. Everyone deserves clarity on why they are feeling a certain way, that’s why promoting easy access to mental health treatments is a necessity. Finally, the nation needs to enhance its crisis response services. While this issue is low on my list of priorities, it is still very important. Crisis response services are extremely beneficial to those who have been effected by hard times. Without these services, some people would have no one to turn to. Just like promoting easy access to mental health treatments, crisis response should be something people have easy access to as well. Another priority I would advocate to add is mental health awareness in children. Starting mental health treatments early could benefit children as they grow older. Spotting mental illnesses early could allow them to get the treatment they need so they could have an easier experience as they grow older.

My number one goal in life is to make living in today’s world easier for everyone I come in contact with. When I was deciding on a subject to major in, I struggled to think of something that I would excel in long term. I soon realized that something I will always love and dedicate myself to is making the world a better place. That may sound cliche, but that truly is my goal. I want to help people who are struggling with mental health issues. I plan to earn a master's degree in psychology and then earn a private practice license through a two-year course. With these qualifications, I will open a mental health practice where I can counsel people in need. I want to counsel people who are eighteen years old or younger because I believe that is the range of life that is most hard to navigate alone. I want to be there for people who may not have anyone else to talk to about the difficult things they are facing. Helping the younger generation deal with their personal struggles is guaranteed to make a positive impact on the world. Becoming a counselor is an overlooked form of serving justice to individuals. This form of justice is found within a person. When one fixes their inner troubles caused by the actions of others, they will be at peace. This is true justice: finding a way to live peacefully with trauma. I believe that if young people begin to see their value and abilities, it could make a huge impact on the world we live in today. By earning a degree in psychology, I will be equipped to understand the scientific reasons behind why people feel the emotions they feel. I will be knowledgeable about techniques my patients can use to improve their mental health. Improving one’s mental health will also improve their quality of life. I am determined to help people become the absolute best version of themselves that they can be. Being a mental health counselor will allow me to take action and make a difference in this aspect. I value treating mental illness the same as physical illness. Mental illness requires treatment just like a physical illness does. My overall goal is to validate people and help them feel better within. Feeling better within makes one more productive, successful, peaceful, joyful, and kind to others. I hope I will be considered for this scholarship because achieving these goals will unfortunately not be easy financially.