Growth Through Adversity by Christian Bernard I grew up believing that faith meant certainty—that if I believed in God, everything would fall into place. But that belief was tested early in my life. When the world shut down during my sixth-grade year, COVID stripped away the middle school memories I had been looking forward to. Days blurred together as I sat isolated behind a Chromebook, unsure of who I was becoming. During that same time, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Watching her go through chemotherapy forced me to confront questions I had never asked before. I wondered how something so painful could happen to someone I loved so deeply, and for a while, my faith faded into confusion. Facing isolation while watching my mother fight cancer became one of the greatest challenges I had ever experienced. Not long after starting high school, I experienced another loss when a childhood friend passed away unexpectedly. Losing someone my age made life feel fragile and uncertain. These challenges left me emotionally disconnected and unmotivated. School became something I drifted through rather than committed to. I procrastinated, avoided responsibility, and felt stuck. At times, it felt easier to give up than to keep trying, but deep down I knew that staying stuck would not honor the strength my mother showed every day. What slowly pulled me out of that mindset was watching my mom’s strength. Despite her illness, she continued to pray and stay positive for our family. Through her example, I realized that faith wasn’t about everything going right—it was about continuing forward even when life felt uncertain. I began rebuilding my faith and returning to church while still wrestling with questions. I also started setting small goals and making stronger efforts to hold myself accountable, even though procrastination is still something I continue to work on. By my junior year, I challenged myself with AP classes, forcing myself to confront procrastination and step into my potential. These classes demanded focus and accountability. Maintaining a 3.5 GPA required consistent effort, especially after struggling earlier in high school. I learned that growth doesn’t come from avoiding difficulty, but from pushing through it. Instead of shutting down when work became difficult, I began asking more questions and making stronger efforts to stay on track. From January 2022 through December 2024, I served on the Kids Team at my church as a student volunteer, helping care for young children while their parents attended services. Serving others taught me patience and the importance of showing up for others, even during challenging seasons in my own life. Even though I no longer serve in that role, the lessons I learned continue to shape how I treat others. Looking back, I no longer see my struggles as setbacks but as foundations for growth. The pandemic, my mom’s battle with cancer, and the loss of my friend strengthened my resilience and compassion. As I prepare to attend Salisbury University to study Psychology, I carry with me the ambition to succeed, the drive to keep improving, and the desire to make a positive impact in the lives of others. If I could give advice to someone facing similar adversity, I would tell them not to give up when life feels overwhelming. It is okay to struggle and to take time to grow. Even now, I am still learning how to stay disciplined, but I have learned that progress matters more than perfection.

My experiences with mental health, both personally and in my family, have influenced how I view people, relationships, and the career I hope to pursue after college. Watching loved ones struggle with challenges that are often invisible to others has shown me how complex mental health truly is and how important empathy, patience, and understanding can be. These experiences have helped me realize that mental health affects every aspect of a person’s life, even when those struggles are not immediately obvious to others. My mom has battled anxiety, and seeing her navigate that has taught me how overwhelming everyday situations can feel for someone struggling internally. Things that might seem simple to others can sometimes feel incredibly difficult for someone dealing with anxiety. Watching her push through those moments showed me that strength is not always loud or obvious. Sometimes strength is simply continuing forward despite fear or uncertainty. Her experiences have helped me understand that people often carry invisible battles, and that kindness and patience can make a significant difference in someone’s life. On top of that, my grandmother has been dealing with dementia, and throughout her life, she has struggled with extreme sleep issues and paranoia. Seeing her during holidays and family gatherings and noticing how she slowly changed over time, becoming quieter and less like the person I once knew, has been painful. It is difficult watching someone gradually lose pieces of themselves. At the same time, it has helped me understand how mental and cognitive health affect not only the individual but the entire family around them. These experiences made me realize how important support systems, compassion, and proper care are for people facing these conditions. Because of this, I’ve become more aware of how people around me may be dealing with struggles that aren’t always visible. It has shaped how I approach relationships, encouraging me to listen more carefully, be more patient, and try to understand what others might be going through, even if it is not noticeable at first glance. I have learned that simply being present for someone and showing understanding can make a meaningful impact. These experiences are a large reason why I plan to study psychology. I want to better understand the mind and how people process emotions, trauma, and change. My goal is to build a career where I can help individuals navigate mental health challenges and feel supported rather than isolated. Whether through counseling, community outreach, or mental health advocacy, I hope to contribute to a world where mental health is treated with the same care and attention as physical health. My goal is to make a positive impact by helping others feel understood and supported during difficult moments. The struggles I have witnessed in my own family have not only shaped who I am, but they have also given me a purpose: to become someone who helps others find clarity, strength, and hope during times when they may feel lost.