My goals as a future school based therapist are shaped by both my academic training and the personal journey that brought me to this calling. I envision my work as a commitment to helping adolescents build emotional strength, self awareness, and resilience, especially during moments when life feels overwhelming. My pursuit of this profession is driven by my own experiences with mental health challenges and the growth that followed. I learned that adversity does not define a person. What defines us is the way we rise, recover, and continue forward with intention. That understanding guides my desire to support young people as they navigate their own trials and tribulations. I plan to use my degree to create therapeutic spaces that are grounded in compassion, cultural awareness, and developmental understanding. Adolescents often struggle to articulate their emotions or make sense of the pressures they face, and I want to be a steady presence who helps them feel seen and supported. My goal is to teach them that setbacks are not evidence of failure but opportunities to learn more about themselves. This perspective is central to my own growth, and it is something I want to pass on to the students I serve. I want them to understand that progress is not linear and that strength is built through reflection, patience, and the willingness to try again. My academic preparation in psychology and human development will allow me to approach student wellness with both clinical insight and cultural sensitivity. I want to design interventions that honor the diverse experiences of young people, especially those who face systemic barriers or feel unheard in traditional school environments. My work will include individual counseling, group support, and collaboration with educators and families to ensure that students receive consistent and holistic care. I also hope to contribute to school wide initiatives that promote emotional literacy, healthy coping strategies, and inclusive practices. What drives me most deeply is the belief that adolescents deserve guidance that helps them understand their emotions rather than fear them. I want to help students build confidence in their ability to recover from difficult moments and trust in their capacity to grow. My own journey taught me that healing is a continuous practice, and I want to model that truth through my work. I am committed to being a therapist who listens with intention, advocates with clarity, and supports students as they develop the tools they need to navigate life with resilience and purpose.

My goal as a future school based therapist is to use my academic training to support the empowerment and well being of BIPOC women while addressing the systemic challenges that shape their lived experiences. I see my degree as both a clinical foundation and a social justice tool that allows me to intervene at the individual, community, and institutional levels. My work will center the emotional clarity, safety, and self determination of BIPOC girls and women, whose needs are often overlooked or minimized within educational and mental health systems. By grounding my practice in culturally responsive care, I will create therapeutic spaces where their identities are affirmed, their voices are prioritized, and their experiences are understood within the broader context of structural inequity. This approach will allow me to challenge deficit based narratives and replace them with frameworks that honor resilience, agency, and collective strength. As a therapist working in schools, I plan to engage directly with communities through consistent presence, intentional relationship building, and collaboration with families, educators, and local organizations. Community engagement will not be an optional addition to my work but a central practice. I will participate in wellness programming, facilitate support groups, and develop educational workshops that address topics such as emotional regulation, self advocacy, and healthy identity development. These efforts will help create environments where BIPOC girls feel seen and supported beyond the therapy room. I will also work to strengthen connections between schools and community resources so that students and families have access to culturally grounded mental health support outside of the academic setting. Advocacy will be an essential part of my role. I plan to challenge policies and practices that contribute to disparities in discipline, access to services, and academic opportunity. This includes using data driven approaches to highlight inequities, collaborating with administrators to implement trauma informed and culturally responsive strategies, and ensuring that mental health services are accessible and non stigmatizing. My advocacy will also involve uplifting the voices of BIPOC women and girls by creating platforms for them to share their experiences and influence decision making processes within their schools. Through this work, I hope to contribute to institutional change that reduces harm and expands opportunity. My long term commitment is to contribute to the ongoing fight for social justice and equity by integrating therapeutic practice with community empowerment. I will continue to engage in professional development focused on racial justice, intersectionality, and culturally grounded healing. I will also collaborate with other practitioners and scholars who are dedicated to transforming mental health systems. By combining clinical expertise with advocacy and community partnership, I aim to support BIPOC women in building lives defined not by systemic barriers but by possibility, strength, and self determined futures.

Sleep and mental health share a bidirectional relationship, meaning each one continuously shapes and influences the other. In academic literature, sleep is understood as a core biological process that regulates emotional stability, cognitive functioning, and physiological restoration. When sleep becomes disrupted, these systems destabilize, increasing vulnerability to psychological distress. Conversely, when mental health deteriorates, sleep is often one of the first domains to show measurable impairment. This reciprocal pattern makes sleep both a symptom and a contributing factor in mental illness. For individuals living with a diagnosed mental disorder, sleep disturbances are not merely side effects. They are often central features of the condition. Disorders such as depression, generalized anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder frequently involve insomnia, hypersomnia, nightmares, or fragmented sleep architecture. These disruptions impair the brain’s ability to regulate mood, consolidate memory, and maintain executive functioning. For example, individuals with depression often experience early‑morning awakenings or non‑restorative sleep, which intensifies fatigue and cognitive slowing throughout the day. In bipolar disorder, reduced need for sleep can signal the onset of mania, while hypersomnia may accompany depressive episodes. In each case, sleep becomes a clinical indicator of symptom severity and a predictor of relapse. Sleep also influences emotional reactivity. When a person with a mental illness is sleep‑deprived, the amygdala becomes more sensitive, while the prefrontal cortex’s regulatory capacity weakens. This imbalance heightens irritability, impulsivity, and susceptibility to stress. As a result, poor sleep can exacerbate symptoms such as rumination, intrusive thoughts, or emotional dysregulation. This is why many treatment plans integrate sleep hygiene, behavioral interventions, or medication adjustments to stabilize sleep patterns as part of broader symptom management. Importantly, sleep impacts individuals without mental illness as well. Even in the absence of a clinical diagnosis, insufficient or poor‑quality sleep can impair concentration, decision‑making, and emotional balance. Chronic sleep deprivation increases the risk of developing disorders such as anxiety and depression over time. Research shows that even one night of inadequate sleep can reduce cognitive flexibility and increase negative mood states. For students, professionals, and caregivers, disrupted sleep can diminish academic performance, reduce productivity, and weaken interpersonal functioning. In this way, sleep operates as a universal determinant of psychological well‑being. The relationship between sleep and mental health is therefore best understood as cyclical. Poor sleep can worsen mental health, and poor mental health can worsen sleep. This cycle can become self‑reinforcing if not addressed. Whether a person has a diagnosed mental illness or not, sleep functions as a foundational component of emotional resilience, cognitive clarity, and overall functioning. Strengthening sleep habits by exercising consistent routines, reduced nighttime stimulation, and supportive environmental conditions can serve as a protective factor for long‑term mental health.

Creating a legacy for my future is about building something that continues to pour into people long after I am gone. I want my life to reflect intention, clarity, and compassion. My legacy will not be defined by titles or achievements. It will be defined by the people who felt seen, supported, and encouraged because of something I created or something I said. I want to leave behind systems and spaces that help people grow into healthier and more grounded versions of themselves. That is the kind of impact that lasts. I see myself building a business that blends wellness, creativity, and psychology in a way that feels natural and accessible. I want to create tools that help people slow down, reflect, and reconnect with themselves. This could look like digital planners, journals, workshops, or programs that support emotional wellness in everyday life. I want my business to feel like a calm place where people can breathe and find direction. I imagine it growing into a full brand that offers resources for students, adults, and anyone who wants to live with more intention. My dream is to merge my training as a future school based therapist with my creative gifts so that everything I build has both structure and soul. I also want to create programs for young people that make emotional wellness feel normal and supported. I want to design journals, activities, and classroom tools that help students understand themselves and feel safe enough to express what they are going through. If even one student chooses healing because of something I created, that alone would be a powerful part of my legacy. I shine my light by showing up with softness, clarity, and authenticity. I try to be the person who listens deeply and brings calm into spaces that feel overwhelming. I shine through the way I encourage others, the way I organize ideas, and the way I turn my own experiences into lessons that can help someone else. My light shows up in my creativity, my empathy, and my ability to make people feel comfortable enough to be honest with themselves. I lead with intention, not perfection, and I try to make every space I enter feel a little lighter and a little more grounded. My legacy will be a blend of service, creativity, and emotional impact. I want people to feel that I lived with purpose and that I used my gifts to make life softer for the people around me. Everything I build, from my business to my career to my presence, will be an extension of that mission. I want my work to continue guiding people toward clarity and healing, even when I am no longer there to speak for it. That is the kind of legacy I hope to create.

I am pursuing a degree in the mental health field because I know what it feels like to struggle silently, to feel emotions that are bigger than your language, and to carry weight that no one else can see. My own journey with mental health has taught me the importance of understanding yourself, giving yourself grace, and learning how to navigate life with intention. Being diagnosed with borderline personality disorder did not break me. It opened my eyes. It helped me understand why I feel deeply, why I care intensely, and why I have always been drawn to supporting others. Instead of seeing my diagnosis as something that limits me, I see it as something that has strengthened my empathy and sharpened my purpose. Studying psychology and human development at Alabama A and M University allows me to turn my personal experiences into something meaningful. I want to understand people on a deeper level. I want to learn how to support children and families who feel overwhelmed, misunderstood, or unheard. I want to become a school based therapist because I believe early emotional support can change the entire direction of a young person life. I want to be the person who listens when a child feels invisible, who advocates when a family feels lost, and who creates structure when a classroom feels chaotic. My goal is not just to work in the mental health field. My goal is to make a difference. I want to help break the silence around mental health in communities where it is often ignored or misunderstood. I want to create spaces where students feel safe expressing themselves, where they can learn emotional skills early, and where they feel valued rather than judged. I want to collaborate with educators, families, and community leaders to build programs that promote emotional wellness, conflict resolution, and positive development. I also plan to generate awareness by being open about my own journey. I want people to see that living with a mental health condition does not make you weak. It makes you human. It makes you resilient. It makes you someone who has learned how to navigate life with courage and intention. By sharing my experiences, I hope to encourage others to seek support, to speak up, and to understand that they are not alone. I am pursuing this degree because I want to turn my healing into hope for others. I want to use my voice, my education, and my lived experience to uplift young people, strengthen families, and help build communities where emotional wellness is treated with the importance it deserves. My purpose is to serve, to advocate, and to create change, and the mental health field is where I know I can make the greatest impact.

Living with a mental health condition has taught me more about myself than any classroom or textbook ever could. I was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, and while I do not let that define me, it has shaped the way I understand emotions, relationships, and healing. For a long time, I struggled with feeling things very deeply. I often carried emotions that felt too heavy to explain, and I tried to manage everything on my own because I did not want to burden anyone. I pushed myself to be strong, dependable, and composed, even when I felt overwhelmed inside. Reaching a point where I could acknowledge my diagnosis without shame was a turning point in my life. Instead of seeing it as something that made me flawed, I began to see it as something that required understanding, patience, and intentional care. I started learning how to slow down and check in with myself. I began practicing grounding routines, journaling, and self reflection that helped me understand my emotions instead of fighting them. I also learned how to communicate more openly with the people I trust, allowing myself to ask for support instead of carrying everything alone. This process has not been perfect, but it has been honest. I am learning how to give myself grace, how to recognize my triggers, and how to build healthier patterns. I am learning that healing is not a straight line. It is a practice. It is choosing to show up for yourself even on the days when it feels difficult. It is choosing to believe that you deserve peace, stability, and understanding. My own journey is the reason I am so passionate about supporting others who face mental health challenges. I know what it feels like to be misunderstood. I know what it feels like to have emotions that feel bigger than your language. And I know what it feels like to want help but not know how to ask for it. These experiences are what drive me to study psychology and human development at Alabama A and M University. I want to become a school based therapist who can advocate for students and families, especially those who feel unseen or unheard. I want to create spaces where young people feel safe expressing themselves, where they can learn emotional skills early, and where they feel understood rather than judged. I want to help break the silence around mental health in communities where it is often overlooked or misunderstood. I plan to use my education to promote emotional wellness programs, collaborate with educators, and help families access resources that support their children. Beyond my future career, I want to generate awareness by being open about my own journey. I want people to see that living with a mental health condition does not make you weak. It makes you human. It makes you resilient. It makes you someone who has learned how to navigate life with intention and courage. I want to use my voice to encourage conversations that reduce stigma and build understanding. Whether through community events, workshops, or everyday interactions, I want to help create a culture where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health. Ultimately, my goal is to turn my personal growth into collective impact. I want to help others feel supported the way my village supported me. I want to help young people build resilience, confidence, and emotional awareness. And I want to continue growing into someone who leads with empathy, serves with intention, and uses her experiences to uplift others.

My story begins with a village. Not a perfect one, but a loving one. I grew up surrounded by people who poured into me with intention, people who believed in me even before I fully understood who I was becoming. My mother always told me that she prayed for a community that would help raise me, and God answered her through the friendships she formed in college. Those friendships became my foundation. They were the people who showed up for every milestone, every celebration, and every moment when life felt heavier than I could carry. They corrected me when I needed guidance, encouraged me when I doubted myself, and reminded me that I was capable of more than I realized. Their presence shaped my understanding of love, accountability, and purpose. Growing up in that environment taught me early that I was not meant to walk through life alone. I learned that strength is something we build together, and that the support we receive becomes the support we are called to give. As I got older, I began to see how much that village had protected me, and I felt a responsibility to become that same source of stability for others. That desire guided me into service roles that allowed me to show up for children and families in meaningful ways. Whether I was volunteering at church, working as a behavioral aide, or leading groups of students, I found myself drawn to the emotional world of young people. I saw how much they needed patience, structure, and understanding. I saw how often they were misunderstood or overlooked. And I realized that my heart felt most at home when I was helping them feel seen. Choosing to attend Alabama A and M University was one of the most defining decisions of my life. I did not just choose a school. I chose a legacy. I chose a place where I could grow academically, spiritually, and culturally. I chose a community that reflects the beauty, resilience, and brilliance of Black identity. Being at an H B C U means stepping into classrooms where my history is honored, where my voice matters, and where my dreams are taken seriously. It means being surrounded by people who look like me, who understand my experiences without explanation, and who push me to rise to my potential. At A A M U, I feel a sense of belonging that I did not know I needed. Walking across the Hill, I feel connected to generations of students who came before me, students who fought for opportunities that I now have access to. I feel inspired by professors who teach with passion and purpose, who challenge me to think deeper and lead with integrity. I feel supported by peers who are ambitious, creative, and determined to make a difference in the world. Being at an H B C U has strengthened my confidence, sharpened my identity, and reminded me that I am part of something much bigger than myself. My decision to study psychology and human development comes from a place of personal truth. I know what it feels like to be guided, supported, and uplifted by people who care. I also know what it feels like to struggle silently, to carry emotions that you do not yet have the language for. I want to be the person who helps young people find that language. I want to be the person who listens when a child feels unheard, who advocates when a family feels overwhelmed, and who creates structure when a classroom feels chaotic. Becoming a school based therapist is not just a career goal for me. It is a calling. It is my way of honoring the people who poured into me by pouring into the next generation. For my family, I want to be a reminder that growth is possible, that healing is real, and that purpose can be found in the most unexpected places. I want my younger relatives to see that success is not about perfection, but about perseverance. I want them to know that they can dream boldly, even when life feels uncertain. My education will allow me to support my family emotionally and mentally, offering guidance and resources that reflect the love and structure my village gave me. For my community, I want to create spaces where children feel safe, valued, and understood. I want to help break cycles of silence around mental health, especially in Black families and schools where emotional struggles are often overlooked. I want to collaborate with educators, parents, and community leaders to build programs that promote emotional wellness, conflict resolution, and positive development. I want to help young people grow into adults who feel confident in who they are and capable of navigating the world with resilience. Ultimately, everything I do is rooted in service. My journey, my education, and my purpose are all connected by the desire to uplift others. I am who I am because people invested in me, and I am committed to doing the same for the next generation. Attending Alabama A and M University has given me the space to grow into the woman I prayed to become. Through my studies, my actions, and my dedication to mental health advocacy, I plan to make a lasting difference for my family, my community, and every young person whose life I have the privilege to touch.

My name is Destinee’ NyCole Jackson, and I am a psychology major with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies at Alabama A&M University. I am someone who leads with empathy, intentionality, and a genuine desire to support the emotional well‑being of others. My academic path, my work experiences, and my service in my community have all shaped my commitment to helping people feel understood, supported, and valued. I live by my university’s motto that service is sovereignty, and I try to reflect that truth in every space I enter. My passion for the healthcare field is rooted in mental and emotional wellness. I plan to pursue a career as a school‑based therapist because I believe early intervention, emotional support, and consistent guidance can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. Throughout my time working as a Behavioral Aide, Group Leader, and Community Assistant, I have seen firsthand how many children and adolescents struggle silently with emotional regulation, stress, and challenges they do not yet have the tools to navigate. Being able to support them, even in small ways, has shown me how powerful compassionate guidance can be. Working with students who needed help managing their emotions, building social skills, or adjusting to daily routines taught me that patience and presence can make a meaningful difference. I learned how to meet children where they are, how to create a sense of safety, and how to help them break overwhelming moments into manageable steps. These experiences strengthened my desire to work in a school setting, where I can provide consistent support and help students develop the emotional tools they need to thrive academically, socially, and personally. I am drawn to school‑based therapy because it allows me to combine my love for psychology with my commitment to service. Schools are often the first place where children encounter structured support outside of their homes, and I want to be someone who helps them feel seen, heard, and capable. I want to create spaces where students can express themselves without fear, learn healthy coping strategies, and build confidence in who they are becoming. Ultimately, I hope to be a therapist who not only provides care but also advocates for mental health awareness, emotional education, and accessible support systems for youth. My goal is to help students develop resilience, self‑understanding, and emotional clarity so they can move through life with confidence and stability. My journey so far has shown me that healing, guidance, and compassion can transform lives. That is why I am committed to entering the mental health field and serving the next generation with intention and heart.

My name is Destinee’ NyCole Jackson, and I am a psychology major with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies at Alabama A&M University. Everything I do is guided by intention, compassion, and a genuine desire to uplift the people around me. I live by my university’s motto that service is sovereignty, and I try to embody that truth in every space I step into. Whether I am supporting residents as a Community Assistant, volunteering at my church, or working with youth as a Behavioral Aide and Group Leader, I move with the belief that service is not just an action but a reflection of who I am. One of the most meaningful examples of this came from my time serving at my church while also working closely with children in behavioral and group settings. At church, I often helped in the nursery and during community events, creating a calm and welcoming environment for children who needed reassurance and stability. Many of them were shy or overwhelmed, and I learned how powerful it can be to simply show up with patience, warmth, and consistency. A soft voice, a gentle reminder, or a moment of understanding often made the difference between a child shutting down and a child opening up. My work as a Behavioral Aide and Group Leader deepened that understanding even more. I supported students who struggled with emotional regulation, social interactions, and daily routines. One day, I worked with a young boy who found transitions extremely difficult. Instead of pushing him to move faster, I sat with him, helped him breathe through his frustration, and broke the task into small steps he could manage. By the end of our session, he was smiling and participating with confidence. That moment reminded me that service is not always loud or visible. Sometimes it is quiet, steady, and rooted in showing someone that they are capable and supported. These experiences shape the way I show up as a Community Assistant and as a leader in general. I strive to create an environment where residents feel supported, heard, and respected. I approach every situation with empathy and patience, knowing that even small acts of care can have a lasting impact. Servitude has taught me that true influence comes from consistency, compassion, and a willingness to be present for others. I am committed to continuing this work, not only as a student and leader, but as someone who believes deeply in the power of community and the importance of serving with heart.

My Pie in the Sky Dream: Becoming a School-Based Therapist Dreams often begin with lived experiences that shape who we are. My spark came from being a child in a behavioral and psychological outpatient program. I had numerous therapists during that time, and each one left an imprint on my life. They gave me tools to cope, reminded me that I wasn’t alone, and showed me what it means to be truly seen. Their compassion and guidance planted a seed in me: one day, I wanted to be that person for someone else. My “pie in the sky” dream is to become a school-based therapist, offering students the same kind of support that once helped me find my footing. This dream inspires me because I know how transformative therapy can be, especially for young people who are still learning how to navigate emotions, relationships, and challenges. At the same time, it feels just out of reach because of the long journey ahead—years of education, training, and personal growth. Yet the very fact that it requires courage and commitment makes it worth pursuing. To reach this dream, I know the steps are clear but demanding. First, I must complete the necessary education: a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or counseling, followed by a master’s degree in counseling or school psychology. Graduate study will give me the clinical knowledge to understand child development, trauma, and resilience. Internships and practicums in schools or youth programs will allow me to apply what I learn, building confidence in real-world settings. Licensure is another critical milestone. Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Clinical Social Worker requires passing exams and completing supervised hours of direct practice. These requirements may feel intimidating, but they are also opportunities to grow under the guidance of experienced mentors. Each hour spent with students and families will sharpen my skills and deepen my empathy. Beyond formal training, I want to bring creativity into my practice. I imagine designing practical tools—reflection journals, planners, and decision-making templates—that help students manage stress and emotions. These resources would extend therapy beyond the counseling office, giving students tangible ways to take ownership of their well-being. It’s a way of merging my entrepreneurial spirit with therapeutic practice, creating solutions that meet students where they are. Of course, courage will be essential. Working in schools means facing crises, navigating systemic challenges, and sometimes carrying the heavy stories of students who feel lost. I will need to cultivate resilience, leaning on my own self-care routines and professional support networks. Courage also means advocating for mental health resources in schools, even when budgets are tight or priorities compete. What makes this dream “pie in the sky” is not that it is impossible, but that it requires me to stretch beyond my comfort zone. It asks me to grow academically, emotionally, and creatively. It demands commitment to a vision larger than myself—the belief that every child deserves someone who listens, understands, and equips them with tools for life. In the end, my dream of becoming a school-based therapist is about impact. It is about walking alongside students during some of their most formative years and helping them discover strength they didn’t know they had. It is about courage to keep going when the journey feels long, creativity to design solutions that empower students, and commitment to growth that never stops. That is my pie in the sky, and I am determined to reach it.

I am Destinee Jackson. I am a rising junior psychology major with a minor in human development and family studies, hailing from Mobile, Alabama. With the degree that I am pursuing, I plan to get my Master’s following my Bachelor’s degree. My active goal is to become an adolescent therapist and proceed to open my own private practice for low-income families. I am a child of AltaPointe’s behavioral and therapy services. As an adolescent, I was put into a mental facility to help me want to continue living my life. During this time, it was 2020, the peak onset year of COVID. While in the facility, I made amazing friends. I was surrounded by people just like me. They did not judge me for my actions or belittle me as a person. They accepted me for who I was. During this experience at the mental inpatient facility, not only did I make friends, but I began to resent my family for placing me there. My family made me feel like an outcast or that my actions were solid to attention-seeking. Truth be told, I didn’t seek attention. I was seeking to end the pain in me internally, and I felt self-harm and offing myself was the best way. I need hugs, a listening ear, and a shoulder to cry on. Instead, I got judgment and resentment. To try to combat all the things I endured, my doctor felt it was best for me to receive therapy. At first, I was against it. I was not comfortable telling my life story to a stranger. I started therapy despite my internal struggles. That was one of the best decisions of my life. Having a therapist to me meant that there is someone who you can tell your real thoughts and emotions to without them using them against you. I looked forward to therapy more than anything else. It was the time and place where I could decompress my mind, let out my feelings, and ultimately cry to give myself some relief. My career plan from kindergarten to high school was to become a pediatrician. I always knew I wanted to work with children. They were just drawn to me and I could understand them. My junior year of high school, I took AP psychology and it changed my life. When I finished that class, I knew for sure that being a pediatrician was not my calling. My calling was to be a therapist for adolescents. I would still be working with children, so that is a bonus. I want to become a therapist because it is so important to have people in the mental health field that have gone through the system. I know what it is like to be in their shoes, and I am a living example that the stage in life their does not last forever. I want to give back to the community and let adolescents know that they can make it out of this moment. If I can make it out, so can they. I am currently a behavioral aide for the same system that I was inpatient at. I am making a full circle. That is why I am pursuing my degree in psychology.This money would help me greatly because I do not have a stable financial situation. This scholarship would ease the financial burden and help to ensure that I can give back to my community by helping kids in therapy. Also helping low-income families with my private practice.

I am Destinee Jackson. I am a rising junior psychology major with a minor in human development and family studies, hailing from Mobile, Alabama. With the degree that I am pursuing, I plan to get my Master’s following my Bachelor’s degree. My active goal is to become an adolescent therapist and proceed to open my own private practice for low-income families. I am a child of AltaPointe’s behavioral and therapy services. As an adolescent, I was put into a mental facility to help me want to continue living my life. During this time, it was 2020, the peak onset year of COVID. While in the facility, I made amazing friends. I was surrounded by people just like me. They did not judge me for my actions or belittle me as a person. They accepted me for who I was. During this experience at the mental inpatient facility, not only did I make friends, but I began to resent my family for placing me there. My family made me feel like an outcast or that my actions were solid to attention-seeking. Truth be told, I didn’t seek attention. I was seeking to end the pain in me internally, and I felt self-harm and offing myself was the best way. I need hugs, a listening ear, and a shoulder to cry on. Instead, I got judgment and resentment. To try to combat all the things I endured, my doctor felt it was best for me to receive therapy. At first, I was against it. I was not comfortable telling my life story to a stranger. I started therapy despite my internal struggles. That was one of the best decisions of my life. Having a therapist to me meant that there is someone who you can tell your real thoughts and emotions to without them using them against you. I looked forward to therapy more than anything else. It was the time and place where I could decompress my mind, let out my feelings, and ultimately cry to give myself some relief. My career plan from kindergarten to high school was to become a pediatrician. I always knew I wanted to work with children. They were just drawn to me and I could understand them. My junior year of high school, I took AP psychology and it changed my life. When I finished that class, I knew for sure that being a pediatrician was not my calling. My calling was to be a therapist for adolescents. I would still be working with children, so that is a bonus. I want to become a therapist because it is so important to have people in the mental health field that have gone through the system. I know what it is like to be in their shoes, and I am a living example that the stage in life their does not last forever. I want to give back to the community and let adolescents know that they can make it out of this moment. If I can make it out, so can they. I am currently a behavioral aide for the same system that I was inpatient at. I am making a full circle. That is why I am pursuing my degree in psychology.This money would help me greatly because I do not have a stable financial situation. This scholarship would ease the financial burden and help to ensure that I can give back to my community by helping kids in therapy. Also helping low-income families with my private practice.

I am Destinee Jackson. I am a rising junior psychology major with a minor in human development and family studies, hailing from Mobile, Alabama. With the degree that I am pursuing, I plan to get my Master’s following my Bachelor’s degree. My active goal is to become an adolescent therapist and proceed to open my own private practice for low-income families. I am a child of AltaPointe’s behavioral and therapy services. As an adolescent, I was put into a mental facility to help me want to continue living my life. During this time, it was 2020, the peak onset year of COVID. While in the facility, I made amazing friends. I was surrounded by people just like me. They did not judge me for my actions or belittle me as a person. They accepted me for who I was. During this experience at the mental inpatient facility, not only did I make friends, but I began to resent my family for placing me there. My family made me feel like an outcast or that my actions were solid to attention-seeking. Truth be told, I didn’t seek attention. I was seeking to end the pain in me internally, and I felt self-harm and offing myself was the best way. I need hugs, a listening ear, and a shoulder to cry on. Instead, I got judgment and resentment. To try to combat all the things I endured, my doctor felt it was best for me to receive therapy. At first, I was against it. I was not comfortable telling my life story to a stranger. I started therapy despite my internal struggles. That was one of the best decisions of my life. Having a therapist to me meant that there is someone who you can tell your real thoughts and emotions to without them using them against you. I looked forward to therapy more than anything else. It was the time and place where I could decompress my mind, let out my feelings, and ultimately cry to give myself some relief. My career plan from kindergarten to high school was to become a pediatrician. I always knew I wanted to work with children. They were just drawn to me and I could understand them. My junior year of high school, I took AP psychology and it changed my life. When I finished that class, I knew for sure that being a pediatrician was not my calling. My calling was to be a therapist for adolescents. I would still be working with children, so that is a bonus. I want to become a therapist because it is so important to have people in the mental health field that have gone through the system. I know what it is like to be in their shoes, and I am a living example that the stage in life their does not last forever. I want to give back to the community and let adolescents know that they can make it out of this moment. If I can make it out, so can they. I am currently a behavioral aide for the same system that I was inpatient at. I am making a full circle. That is why I am pursuing my degree in psychology.This money would help me greatly because I do not have a stable financial situation. This scholarship would ease the financial burden and help to ensure that I can give back to my community by helping kids in therapy. Also helping low-income families with my private practice.

I am Destinee Jackson. I am a rising junior psychology major with a minor in human development and family studies, hailing from Mobile, Alabama. With the degree that I am pursuing, I plan to get my Master’s following my Bachelor’s degree. My active goal is to become an adolescent therapist and proceed to open my own private practice for low-income families. I am a child of AltaPointe’s behavioral and therapy services. As an adolescent, I was put into a mental facility to help me want to continue living my life. During this time, it was 2020, the peak onset year of COVID. While in the facility, I made amazing friends. I was surrounded by people just like me. They did not judge me for my actions or belittle me as a person. They accepted me for who I was. During this experience at the mental inpatient facility, not only did I make friends, but I began to resent my family for placing me there. My family made me feel like an outcast or that my actions were solid to attention-seeking. Truth be told, I didn’t seek attention. I was seeking to end the pain in me internally, and I felt self-harm and offing myself was the best way. I need hugs, a listening ear, and a shoulder to cry on. Instead, I got judgment and resentment. To try to combat all the things I endured, my doctor felt it was best for me to receive therapy. At first, I was against it. I was not comfortable telling my life story to a stranger. I started therapy despite my internal struggles. That was one of the best decisions of my life. Having a therapist to me meant that there is someone who you can tell your real thoughts and emotions to without them using them against you. I looked forward to therapy more than anything else. It was the time and place where I could decompress my mind, let out my feelings, and ultimately cry to give myself some relief. My career plan from kindergarten to high school was to become a pediatrician. I always knew I wanted to work with children. They were just drawn to me and I could understand them. My junior year of high school, I took AP psychology and it changed my life. When I finished that class, I knew for sure that being a pediatrician was not my calling. My calling was to be a therapist for adolescents. I would still be working with children, so that is a bonus. I want to become a therapist because it is so important to have people in the mental health field that have gone through the system. I know what it is like to be in their shoes, and I am a living example that the stage in life their does not last forever. I want to give back to the community and let adolescents know that they can make it out of this moment. If I can make it out, so can they. I am currently a behavioral aide for the same system that I was inpatient at. I am making a full circle. That is why I am pursuing my degree in psychology.This money would help me greatly because I do not have a stable financial situation. This scholarship would ease the financial burden and help to ensure that I can give back to my community by helping kids in therapy. Also helping low-income families with my private practice.

I am Destinee Jackson. I am a rising junior psychology major with a minor in human development and family studies, hailing from Mobile, Alabama. With the degree that I am pursuing, I plan to get my Master’s following my Bachelor’s degree. My active goal is to become an adolescent therapist and proceed to open my own private practice for low-income families. I am a child of AltaPointe’s behavioral and therapy services. As an adolescent, I was put into a mental facility to help me want to continue living my life. During this time, it was 2020, the peak onset year of COVID. While in the facility, I made amazing friends. I was surrounded by people just like me. They did not judge me for my actions or belittle me as a person. They accepted me for who I was. During this experience at the mental inpatient facility, not only did I make friends, but I began to resent my family for placing me there. My family made me feel like an outcast or that my actions were solid to attention-seeking. Truth be told, I didn’t seek attention. I was seeking to end the pain in me internally, and I felt self-harm and offing myself was the best way. I need hugs, a listening ear, and a shoulder to cry on. Instead, I got judgment and resentment. To try to combat all the things I endured, my doctor felt it was best for me to receive therapy. At first, I was against it. I was not comfortable telling my life story to a stranger. I started therapy despite my internal struggles. That was one of the best decisions of my life. Having a therapist to me meant that there is someone who you can tell your real thoughts and emotions to without them using them against you. I looked forward to therapy more than anything else. It was the time and place where I could decompress my mind, let out my feelings, and ultimately cry to give myself some relief. My career plan from kindergarten to high school was to become a pediatrician. I always knew I wanted to work with children. They were just drawn to me and I could understand them. My junior year of high school, I took AP psychology and it changed my life. When I finished that class, I knew for sure that being a pediatrician was not my calling. My calling was to be a therapist for adolescents. I would still be working with children, so that is a bonus. I want to become a therapist because it is so important to have people in the mental health field that have gone through the system. I know what it is like to be in their shoes, and I am a living example that the stage in life their does not last forever. I want to give back to the community and let adolescents know that they can make it out of this moment. If I can make it out, so can they. I am currently a behavioral aide for the same system that I was inpatient at. I am making a full circle. That is why I am pursuing my degree in psychology.This money would help me greatly because I do not have a stable financial situation. This scholarship would ease the financial burden and help to ensure that I can give back to my community by helping kids in therapy. Also helping low-income families with my private practice.

Charity is an important part of a community. It comes in many different forms. I received charity through teachers and mentors. They took time out of their workdays to talk to me after work hours and help me figure life out. I was offered wisdom and necessary resources to succeed in life. I was not the most financial stable for most of my teenage years. People in my support system would find ways to help me get money, even if it was by finding small jobs for me to do around their house. Everyone knew that I was not fund of receiving things without working for them. Them making ways for me to feel like I was working for things that they would give me for just being me, was my biggest charity. It was the experience and resume building that I got from all of the generous charity. Charity is not a bad thing. If you are blessed, bless others and accept blessings from others so that you can continue the cycle. I use my time as charity for children. I am there for all of the children around me. I am always available for advice, venting, or simply having conversations. I plan to help children with mental issues overcome their hardships through therapy and nonprofit organizations. I want to be an adolescent therapist and have my own practice. I want to be their mentor and let them know I am always in their corner.

I am Destinee Jackson. I am a rising junior psychology major with a minor in human development and family studies, hailing from Mobile, Alabama. With the degree that I am pursuing, I plan to get my Master’s following my Bachelor’s degree. My active goal is to become an adolescent therapist and proceed to open my own private practice for low-income families. I am a child of AltaPointe’s behavioral and therapy services. As an adolescent, I was put into a mental facility to help me want to continue living my life. During this time, it was 2020, the peak onset year of COVID. While in the facility, I made amazing friends. I was surrounded by people just like me. They did not judge me for my actions or belittle me as a person. They accepted me for who I was. During this experience at the mental inpatient facility, not only did I make friends, but I began to resent my family for placing me there. My family made me feel like an outcast or that my actions were solid to attention-seeking. Truth be told, I didn’t seek attention. I was seeking to end the pain in me internally, and I felt self-harm and offing myself was the best way. I need hugs, a listening ear, and a shoulder to cry on. Instead, I got judgment and resentment. To try to combat all the things I endured, my doctor felt it was best for me to receive therapy. At first, I was against it. I was not comfortable telling my life story to a stranger. I started therapy despite my internal struggles. That was one of the best decisions of my life. Having a therapist to me meant that there is someone who you can tell your real thoughts and emotions to without them using them against you. I looked forward to therapy more than anything else. It was the time and place where I could decompress my mind, let out my feelings, and ultimately cry to give myself some relief. My career plan from kindergarten to high school was to become a pediatrician. I always knew I wanted to work with children. They were just drawn to me and I could understand them. My junior year, I took AP psychology and it changed my life. When I finished that class, I knew for sure that being a pediatrician was not my calling. My calling was to be a therapist for adolescents. I would still be working with children, so that is a bonus. I want to become a therapist because it is so important to have people in the mental health field that have gone through the system. I know what it is like to be in their shoes, and I am a living example that the stage in life their does not last forever. I want to give back to the community and let adolescents know that they can make it out of this moment. If I can make it out, so can they. That is why I am pursuing my degree in psychology. This money would help me greatly because I do not have a stable financial situation. This scholarship would ease the financial burden and help to ensure that I can give back to my community by helping kids in therapy. Also helping low-income families with my private practice.

I am Destinee' Jackson. I am a rising junior psychology major with a minor in human development and family studies, hailing from Mobile, Alabama. With the degree that I am pursuing, I plan to get my Master’s following my Bachelor’s degree. My active goal is to become an adolescent therapist and proceed to open my own private practice for low-income families. I am a child of AltaPointe’s behavioral and therapy services. As an adolescent, I was put into a mental facility to help me want to continue living my life. During this time, it was 2020, the peak onset year of COVID. While in the facility, I made amazing friends. I was surrounded by people just like me. They did not judge me for my actions or belittle me as a person. They accepted me for who I was. During this experience at the mental inpatient facility, not only did I make friends, but I began to resent my family for placing me there. My family made me feel like an outcast or that my actions were solid to attention-seeking. Truth be told, I didn’t seek attention. I was seeking to end the pain in me internally, and I felt self-harm and offing myself was the best way. I need hugs, a listening ear, and a shoulder to cry on. Instead, I got judgment and resentment. To try to combat all the things I endured, my doctor felt it was best for me to receive therapy. At first, I was against it. I was not comfortable telling my life story to a stranger. I started therapy despite my internal struggles. That was one of the best decisions of my life. Having a therapist to me meant that there is someone who you can tell your real thoughts and emotions to without them using them against you. I looked forward to therapy more than anything else. It was the time and place where I could decompress my mind, let out my feelings, and ultimately cry to give myself some relief. My career plan from kindergarten to high school was to become a pediatrician. I always knew I wanted to work with children. They were just drawn to me, and I could understand them. My junior year, I took AP psychology, and it changed my life. When I finished that class, I knew for sure that being a pediatrician was not my calling. My calling was to be a therapist for adolescents. I would still be working with children, so that is a bonus. I want to become a therapist because it is so important to have people in the mental health field that have gone through the system. I know what it is like to be in their shoes, and I am a living example that the stage in life their does not last forever. I want to give back to the community and let adolescents know that they can make it out of this moment. If I can make it out, so can they. That is why I am pursuing my degree in psychology. This money would help me greatly because I do not have a stable financial situation. This scholarship would ease the financial burden and help to ensure that I can give back to my community by helping kids in therapy. Also helping low-income families with my private practice.

I am Destinee' Jackson. I am a rising junior psychology major with a minor in human development and family studies, hailing from Mobile, Alabama. With the degree that I am pursuing, I plan to get my Master’s following my bachelor’s degree. My active goal is to become an adolescent therapist and proceed to open my own private practice for low-income families. I am a child of AltaPointe’s behavioral and therapy services. As an adolescent, I was put into a mental facility to help me want to continue living my life. During this time, it was 2020, the peak onset year of COVID. While in the facility, I made amazing friends. I was surrounded by people just like me. They did not judge me for my actions or belittle me as a person. They accepted me for who I was. During this experience at the mental inpatient facility, not only did I make friends, but I began to resent my family for placing me there. My family made me feel like an outcast or that my actions were solid to attention-seeking. Truth be told, I didn’t seek attention. I was seeking to end the pain in me internally, and I felt self-harm and offing myself was the best way. I need hugs, a listening ear, and a shoulder to cry on. Instead, I got judgment and resentment. To try to combat all the things I endured, my doctor felt it was best for me to receive therapy. At first, I was against it. I was not comfortable telling my life story to a stranger. I started therapy despite my internal struggles. That was one of the best decisions of my life. Having a therapist to me meant that there is someone who you can tell your real thoughts and emotions to without them using them against you. I looked forward to therapy more than anything else. It was the time and place where I could decompress my mind, let out my feelings, and ultimately cry to give myself some relief. My career plan from kindergarten to high school was to become a pediatrician. I always knew I wanted to work with children. They were just drawn to me and I could understand them. My junior year, I took AP psychology and it changed my life. When I finished that class, I knew for sure that being a pediatrician was not my calling. My calling was to be a therapist for adolescents. I would still be working with children, so that is a bonus. I want to become a therapist because it is so important to have people in the mental health field that have gone through the system. I know what it is like to be in their shoes, and I am a living example that the stage in life their does not last forever. I want to give back to the community and let adolescents know that they can make it out of this moment. If I can make it out, so can they. That is why I am pursuing my degree in psychology. This money would help me greatly because I do not have a stable financial situation. This scholarship would ease the financial burden and help to ensure that I can give back to my community by helping kids in therapy. Also helping low-income families with my private practice.

I am Destinee' Jackson. I am a rising junior psychology major with a minor in human development and family studies, hailing from Mobile, Alabama. With the degree that I am pursuing, I plan to get my Master’s following my bachelor’s degree. My active goal is to become an adolescent therapist and proceed to open my own private practice for low-income families. Social media has a drastic impact on people's mental health and self-esteem. Social media is advertised everywhere we go, from churches to schools to jobs. Almost majority of the population wake up in the morning and the first thing they do is open their phones to open social media. Social media comes in different forms. There is social media everywhere. People tend to base their lives on social media and the influencers. Young children look up to social media influencers and base their goals and dreams on them. Not only are children influences by social media, but adults are also. For children, they watch influencers and aspire to be the people they watch. They want the clothes, jewelry, shoes, and use the dialect the influencers use. Children express their desires to their parents. Sometimes parents are able to fulfill their children's desire, other times they cannot. When these desire cannot be met, children go to school among other students whose families could afford the desires. This creates low self-esteem in those children. They feel that they cannot measure up to social standards which can cause depression and anxiety. For the parents who cannot afford the desires, they can feel like they are not providing for their children as well as they should, which effects their mental states. For young adults such as myself, social media plays a role in my life heavily. I open social media and see people my age buying cars and apartments or they are getting married and having children. I am currently in college struggling to get by without a car and still living in and paying for student housing. Social media can cause us to unconsciously compare ourselves to others. By doing this, we tend to view ourselves as less than because we are not meeting the social timeline or standards. Personally, it takes a toll on me because I feel like I am not doing enough. I feel as if I cannot keep up with the timeline that the world and social media have set for me. All of us fail to realize that people post what they want us to see which, generally, is only positive. Breaking the curses of social media on mental health and self-esteem is not an easy process. The first step is to acknowledge that social media is not always positive. It can be educational, but we have to realize our own triggers. Self-love and acceptance are the next steps. We have to learn to love ourselves and accept who we are. If we are not happy with our current circumstances, we have to accept them and work to change them without comparing ourselves to others. We do not know the hardships others face to be able to be where they are. We have to accept the mentally that we all bleed the same and we all will have to pass one day, and material things cannot come with us. We have to take the time and self-evaluate our lives and follow our timelines without the influence of social media.

I am Destinee Jackson. I am a rising junior psychology major with a minor in human development and family studies, hailing from Mobile, Alabama. With the degree that I am pursuing, I plan to get my Master’s following my Bachelor’s degree. My active goal is to become an adolescent therapist and proceed to open my own private practice for low-income families. I am a child of AltaPointe’s behavioral and therapy services. As an adolescent, I was put into a mental facility to help me want to continue living my life. During this time, it was 2020, the peak onset year of COVID. While in the facility, I made amazing friends. I was surrounded by people just like me. They did not judge me for my actions or belittle me as a person. They accepted me for who I was. During this experience at the mental inpatient facility, not only did I make friends, but I began to resent my family for placing me there. My family made me feel like an outcast or that my actions were solid to attention-seeking. Truth be told, I didn’t seek attention. I was seeking to end the pain in me internally, and I felt self-harm and offing myself was the best way. I need hugs, a listening ear, and a shoulder to cry on. Instead, I got judgment and resentment. To try to combat all the things I endured, my doctor felt it was best for me to receive therapy. At first, I was against it. I was not comfortable telling my life story to a stranger. I started therapy despite my internal struggles. That was one of the best decisions of my life. Having a therapist to me meant that there is someone who you can tell your real thoughts and emotions to without them using them against you. I looked forward to therapy more than anything else. It was the time and place where I could decompress my mind, let out my feelings, and ultimately cry to give myself some relief. My career plan from kindergarten to high school was to become a pediatrician. I always knew I wanted to work with children. They were just drawn to me, and I could understand them. My junior year, I took AP psychology, and it changed my life. When I finished that class, I knew for sure that being a pediatrician was not my calling. My calling was to be a therapist for adolescents. I would still be working with children, so that is a bonus. I want to become a therapist because it is so important to have people in the mental health field that have gone through the system. I know what it is like to be in their shoes, and I am a living example that the stage in life their does not last forever. I want to give back to the community and let adolescents know that they can make it out of this moment. If I can make it out, so can they. That is why I am pursuing my degree in psychology. This money would help me greatly because I do not have a stable financial situation. This scholarship would ease the financial burden and help to ensure that I can give back to my community by helping kids in therapy. Also helping low-income families with my private practice.

I am Destinee Jackson. I am a rising junior psychology major with a minor in human development and family studies, hailing from Mobile, Alabama. With the degree that I am pursuing, I plan to get my Master’s following my Bachelor’s degree. My active goal is to become an adolescent therapist and proceed to open my own private practice for low-income families. I am a child of AltaPointe’s behavioral and therapy services. As an adolescent, I was put into a mental facility to help me want to continue living my life. During this time, it was 2020, the peak onset year of COVID. While in the facility, I made amazing friends. I was surrounded by people just like me. They did not judge me for my actions or belittle me as a person. They accepted me for who I was. During this experience at the mental inpatient facility, not only did I make friends, but I began to resent my family for placing me there. My family made me feel like an outcast or that my actions were solid to attention-seeking. Truth be told, I didn’t seek attention. I was seeking to end the pain in me internally, and I felt self-harm and offing myself was the best way. I need hugs, a listening ear, and a shoulder to cry on. Instead, I got judgment and resentment. To try to combat all the things I endured, my doctor felt it was best for me to receive therapy. At first, I was against it. I was not comfortable telling my life story to a stranger. I started therapy despite my internal struggles. That was one of the best decisions of my life. Having a therapist to me meant that there is someone who you can tell your real thoughts and emotions to without them using them against you. I looked forward to therapy more than anything else. It was the time and place where I could decompress my mind, let out my feelings, and ultimately cry to give myself some relief. My career plan from kindergarten to high school was to become a pediatrician. I always knew I wanted to work with children. They were just drawn to me and I could understand them. My junior year, I took AP psychology and it changed my life. When I finished that class, I knew for sure that being a pediatrician was not my calling. My calling was to be a therapist for adolescents. I would still be working with children, so that is a bonus. I want to become a therapist because it is so important to have people in the mental health field that have gone through the system. I know what it is like to be in their shoes, and I am a living example that the stage in life their does not last forever. I want to give back to the community and let adolescents know that they can make it out of this moment. If I can make it out, so can they. That is why I am pursuing my degree in psychology. This money would help me greatly because I do not have a stable financial situation. This scholarship would ease the financial burden and help to ensure that I can give back to my community by helping kids in therapy. Also helping low-income families with my private practice.

I am Destinee Jackson and I attend Alabama A&M University. I am a rising junior psychology major with a minor in human development and family studies, hailing from Mobile, Alabama. With the degree that I am pursuing, I plan to get my Master’s following my Bachelor’s degree. My active goal is to become an adolescent therapist and proceed to open my own private practice for low-income families. I am a child of AltaPointe’s behavioral and therapy services. As an adolescent, I was put into a mental facility to help me want to continue living my life. During this time, it was 2020, the peak onset year of COVID. While in the facility, I made amazing friends. I was surrounded by people just like me. They did not judge me for my actions or belittle me as a person. They accepted me for who I was. During this experience at the mental inpatient facility, not only did I make friends, but I began to resent my family for placing me there. My family made me feel like an outcast or that my actions were solid to attention-seeking. Truth be told, I didn’t seek attention. I was seeking to end the pain in me internally, and I felt self-harm and offing myself was the best way. I need hugs, a listening ear, and a shoulder to cry on. Instead, I got judgment and resentment. To try to combat all the things I endured, my doctor felt it was best for me to receive therapy. At first, I was against it. I was not comfortable telling my life story to a stranger. I started therapy despite my internal struggles. That was one of the best decisions of my life. Having a therapist to me meant that there is someone who you can tell your real thoughts and emotions to without them using them against you. I looked forward to therapy more than anything else. It was the time and place where I could decompress my mind, let out my feelings, and ultimately cry to give myself some relief. My career plan from kindergarten to high school was to become a pediatrician. I always knew I wanted to work with children. They were just drawn to me and I could understand them. My junior year, I took AP psychology and it changed my life. When I finished that class, I knew for sure that being a pediatrician was not my calling. My calling was to be a therapist for adolescents. I would still be working with children, so that is a bonus. I want to become a therapist because it is so important to have people in the mental health field that have gone through the system. I know what it is like to be in their shoes, and I am a living example that the stage in life their does not last forever. I want to give back to the community and let adolescents know that they can make it out of this moment. If I can make it out, so can they. That is why I am pursuing my degree in psychology. This money would help me greatly because I do not have a stable financial situation. This scholarship would ease the financial burden and help to ensure that I can give back to my community by helping kids in therapy. Also helping low-income families with my private practice.

I am Destinee Jackson. I am a rising junior psychology major with a minor in human development and family studies, hailing from Mobile, Alabama. With the degree that I am pursuing, I plan to get my Master’s following my Bachelor’s degree. My active goal is to become an adolescent therapist and proceed to open my own private practice for low-income families. I am a child of AltaPointe’s behavioral and therapy services. As an adolescent, I was put into a mental facility to help me want to continue living my life. During this time, it was 2020, the peak onset year of COVID. While in the facility, I made amazing friends. I was surrounded by people just like me. They did not judge me for my actions or belittle me as a person. They accepted me for who I was. During this experience at the mental inpatient facility, not only did I make friends, but I began to resent my family for placing me there. My family made me feel like an outcast or that my actions were solid to attention-seeking. Truth be told, I didn’t seek attention. I was seeking to end the pain in me internally, and I felt self-harm and offing myself was the best way. I need hugs, a listening ear, and a shoulder to cry on. Instead, I got judgment and resentment. To try to combat all the things I endured, my doctor felt it was best for me to receive therapy. At first, I was against it. I was not comfortable telling my life story to a stranger. I started therapy despite my internal struggles. That was one of the best decisions of my life. Having a therapist to me meant that there is someone who you can tell your real thoughts and emotions to without them using them against you. I looked forward to therapy more than anything else. It was the time and place where I could decompress my mind, let out my feelings, and ultimately cry to give myself some relief. My career plan from kindergarten to high school was to become a pediatrician. I always knew I wanted to work with children. They were just drawn to me and I could understand them. My junior year, I took AP psychology and it changed my life. When I finished that class, I knew for sure that being a pediatrician was not my calling. My calling was to be a therapist for adolescents. I would still be working with children, so that is a bonus. I want to become a therapist because it is so important to have people in the mental health field that have gone through the system. I know what it is like to be in their shoes, and I am a living example that the stage in life their does not last forever. I want to give back to the community and let adolescents know that they can make it out of this moment. If I can make it out, so can they. That is why I am pursuing my degree in psychology. This money would help me greatly because I do not have a stable financial situation. This scholarship would ease the financial burden and help to ensure that I can give back to my community by helping kids in therapy. Also helping low-income families with my private practice.

I am Destinee Jackson and I attend Alabama A&M University. I am a rising junior psychology major with a minor in human development and family studies, hailing from Mobile, Alabama. With the degree that I am pursuing, I plan to get my Master’s following my Bachelor’s degree. My active goal is to become an adolescent therapist and proceed to open my own private practice for low-income families. I am a child of AltaPointe’s behavioral and therapy services. As an adolescent, I was put into a mental facility to help me want to continue living my life. During this time, it was 2020, the peak onset year of COVID. While in the facility, I made amazing friends. I was surrounded by people just like me. They did not judge me for my actions or belittle me as a person. They accepted me for who I was. During this experience at the mental inpatient facility, not only did I make friends, but I began to resent my family for placing me there. My family made me feel like an outcast or that my actions were solid to attention-seeking. Truth be told, I didn’t seek attention. I was seeking to end the pain in me internally, and I felt self-harm and offing myself was the best way. I need hugs, a listening ear, and a shoulder to cry on. Instead, I got judgment and resentment. To try to combat all the things I endured, my doctor felt it was best for me to receive therapy. At first, I was against it. I was not comfortable telling my life story to a stranger. I started therapy despite my internal struggles. That was one of the best decisions of my life. Having a therapist to me meant that there is someone who you can tell your real thoughts and emotions to without them using them against you. I looked forward to therapy more than anything else. It was the time and place where I could decompress my mind, let out my feelings, and ultimately cry to give myself some relief. My career plan from kindergarten to high school was to become a pediatrician. I always knew I wanted to work with children. They were just drawn to me and I could understand them. My junior year, I took AP psychology and it changed my life. When I finished that class, I knew for sure that being a pediatrician was not my calling. My calling was to be a therapist for adolescents. I would still be working with children, so that is a bonus. I want to become a therapist because it is so important to have people in the mental health field that have gone through the system. I know what it is like to be in their shoes, and I am a living example that the stage in life their does not last forever. I want to give back to the community and let adolescents know that they can make it out of this moment. If I can make it out, so can they. That is why I am pursuing my degree in psychology. This money would help me greatly because I do not have a stable financial situation. This scholarship would ease the financial burden and help to ensure that I can give back to my community by helping kids in therapy. Also helping low-income families with my private practice.

I am Destinee Jackson. I am a rising junior psychology major with a minor in human development and family studies, hailing from Mobile, Alabama. With the degree that I am pursuing, I plan to get my Master’s following my Bachelor’s degree. My active goal is to become an adolescent therapist and proceed to open my own private practice for low-income families. I am a child of AltaPointe’s behavioral and therapy services. As an adolescent, I was put into a mental facility to help me want to continue living my life. During this time, it was 2020, the peak onset year of COVID. While in the facility, I made amazing friends. I was surrounded by people just like me. They did not judge me for my actions or belittle me as a person. They accepted me for who I was. During this experience at the mental inpatient facility, not only did I make friends, but I began to resent my family for placing me there. My family made me feel like an outcast or that my actions were solid to attention-seeking. Truth be told, I didn’t seek attention. I was seeking to end the pain in me internally, and I felt self-harm and offing myself was the best way. I need hugs, a listening ear, and a shoulder to cry on. Instead, I got judgment and resentment. To try to combat all the things I endured, my doctor felt it was best for me to receive therapy. At first, I was against it. I was not comfortable telling my life story to a stranger. I started therapy despite my internal struggles. That was one of the best decisions of my life. Having a therapist to me meant that there is someone who you can tell your real thoughts and emotions to without them using them against you. I looked forward to therapy more than anything else. It was the time and place where I could decompress my mind, let out my feelings, and ultimately cry to give myself some relief. My career plan from kindergarten to high school was to become a pediatrician. I always knew I wanted to work with children. They were just drawn to me and I could understand them. My junior year, I took AP psychology and it changed my life. When I finished that class, I knew for sure that being a pediatrician was not my calling. My calling was to be a therapist for adolescents. I would still be working with children, so that is a bonus. I want to become a therapist because it is so important to have people in the mental health field that have gone through the system. I know what it is like to be in their shoes, and I am a living example that the stage in life their does not last forever. I want to give back to the community and let adolescents know that they can make it out of this moment. If I can make it out, so can they. That is why I am pursuing my degree in psychology. This money would help me greatly because I do not have a stable financial situation. This scholarship would ease the financial burden and help to ensure that I can give back to my community by helping kids in therapy. Also helping low-income families with my private practice.

I am Destinee Jackson. I am a rising junior psychology major with a minor in human development and family studies, hailing from Mobile, Alabama. With the degree that I am pursuing, I plan to get my Master’s following my Bachelor’s degree. My active goal is to become an adolescent therapist and proceed to open my own private practice for low-income families. I am a child of AltaPointe’s behavioral and therapy services. As an adolescent, I was put into a mental facility to help me want to continue living my life. During this time, it was 2020, the peak onset year of COVID. While in the facility, I made amazing friends. I was surrounded by people just like me. They did not judge me for my actions or belittle me as a person. They accepted me for who I was. During this experience at the mental inpatient facility, not only did I make friends, but I began to resent my family for placing me there. My family made me feel like an outcast or that my actions were solid to attention-seeking. Truth be told, I didn’t seek attention. I was seeking to end the pain in me internally, and I felt self-harm and offing myself was the best way. I need hugs, a listening ear, and a shoulder to cry on. Instead, I got judgment and resentment. To try to combat all the things I endured, my doctor felt it was best for me to receive therapy. At first, I was against it. I was not comfortable telling my life story to a stranger. I started therapy despite my internal struggles. That was one of the best decisions of my life. Having a therapist to me meant that there is someone who you can tell your real thoughts and emotions to without them using them against you. I looked forward to therapy more than anything else. It was the time and place where I could decompress my mind, let out my feelings, and ultimately cry to give myself some relief. My career plan from kindergarten to high school was to become a pediatrician. I always knew I wanted to work with children. They were just drawn to me and I could understand them. My junior year, I took AP psychology and it changed my life. When I finished that class, I knew for sure that being a pediatrician was not my calling. My calling was to be a therapist for adolescents. I would still be working with children, so that is a bonus. I want to become a therapist because it is so important to have people in the mental health field that have gone through the system. I know what it is like to be in their shoes, and I am a living example that the stage in life their does not last forever. I want to give back to the community and let adolescents know that they can make it out of this moment. If I can make it out, so can they. That is why I am pursuing my degree in psychology. This money would help me greatly because I do not have a stable financial situation. This scholarship would ease the financial burden and help to ensure that I can give back to my community by helping kids in therapy. Also helping low-income families with my private practice.