I was always told, in response to "How are you?", I should say "I'm doing well" and not "I'm doing good" because the latter is grammatically incorrect. But, when I think about my life, I want to do good and be well, and vice versa.

In the year 2020, the U.S. saw an overall decrease in suicide rates by about 3%, however, this decrease was not reflected among minority groups. There was an overall increase in suicide rates among Indian Americans, Black Americans, and Hispanic Americans in 2020 according to the CDC. My career goal is to be a mental health therapist who works with individuals belonging to marginalized communities. Especially because I am aware of how difficult it can be for people belonging to marginalized groups to obtain the resources to maintain their mental health. Many systematic issues stand in the way of disenfranchised folk seeking mental health help. Financial burdens, the stigma around mental health, and finding a culturally competent practitioner are only a few obstacles that stand in the way of folks seeking some form of therapy. As a woman of color, I recognize how important it is to lead a mentally healthy life. Not only am I passionate about others' mental health, but I try to prioritize my own as much as I can. Being a graduate student who works two jobs definitely makes me more vulnerable to neglecting my mental health. In the past, I have learned the hard way that when I neglect my mental health, it affects all aspects of my life--especially my performance in school. Over the last few months, I have tried to prioritize creating mentally healthy habits so that I can be my best self academically and otherwise. I have started to approach mental health habits as something I do that is preventative rather than reactionary. I now view it as an ongoing process where I continuously invest in myself and my betterment. I journal daily which has helped me check in with myself and be reflective on my emotions. I also create boundaries for myself so that I can separate my school and work from my home life. For example, I do not have any school-related apps on my phone, so when I am on my phone it is purely for leisure. Also, I schedule specific time blocks in which I do my school work and outside of those time blocks I intentionally make time for hobbies or planning social activities. Above all else, probably the best thing I do for my mental wellness is being in therapy. Having a space where I do not owe the world anything is invaluable to me. This is why I chose to pursue therapy as a career and want to make it more accessible and destigmatized. I am so passionate about myself and others leading a mentally healthy lifestyle because I believe it is a human right to have the resources for a mentally healthy lifestyle.

Being a graduate student who works two jobs definitely makes me more vulnerable to neglecting my overall health. In the past, I have learned the hard way that when I neglect my health, it affects all aspects of my life--especially my performance in school. Over the last few months I have tried to prioritize creating mental, physical, and nutritional healthy habits so that I can be my best self academically and otherwise. I have started to approach mental health habits as something I do that is preventative rather than reactionary. I journal daily which has helped me check in with myself and be reflective on my emotions. I also create boundaries for myself so that I can separate my school and work from my home life. For example, I do not have any school related apps on my phone, so when I am on my phone it is purely for leisure. Also, I schedule specific time blocks in which I do my school work and outside of those time-blocks I intentionally make time for hobbies or planning social activities. Since beginning graduate school I have prioritized moving my body every day. I like to do yoga to practice mindfulness while also getting my heart-rate up. I have also started integrating morning runs into my routine which have been great for gaining some intentional alone time. I used to view exercise as a chore that had to be unenjoyable, but now I know that moving my body does not have to be intense or draining. I have learned to find movements that are fulfilling to me mentally and physically. I have also recently found value in finding food that is healthy AND that I think tastes good. Previously, I have been told that Indian food is not healthy and have felt deep shame for how much I enjoy my culture's food. Now I see that comment as a microaggression rooted in Eurocentric values. I see naan, chapati, and rice as healthy carbs that I also think taste good. I see ghee as a cooking agent that is full of nutritious calories. Maintaining a holistically healthy lifestyle is the key to feeling happy and healthy. It is especially important when you are juggling multiple responsibilities which require you to be an active and engaged participant, like graduate school does. Thank you for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, any help funding my career goal of a mental health practitioner is greatly appreciated.

In the year 2020, the U.S saw an overall decrease in suicide rates by about 3%, however, this decrease was not reflected among minority groups. In fact, there was an overall increase in suicide rates from Indian Americans, Black Americans, and Hispanic Americans in 2020 according to the CDC. Maintaining good mental health is a huge part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A decline in mental health can affect things like digestive health, sleep, heart health, and can cause harmful behaviors. Mental health is often overlooked when thinking about general health despite mental and physical health being so intricately intertwined As a woman of color, I recognize how important it is to stay vigilant about not only leading a physically healthy life, but also a mentally healthy one. Since beginning graduate school I have prioritized moving my body every day. I like to do yoga to practice mindfulness while also getting my heartrate up. I have also started integrating morning runs into my routine which have been great for gaining some intentional alone time. I used to view exercise as a chore that had to be unenjoyable, but now I know that moving my body does not have to be intense or draining. I have learned to find movements that are fulfilling to me mentally and physically. I have also recently found value in finding food that is healthy AND that I think tastes good. Previously, I have been told that Indian food is not healthy and have felt deep shame for how much I enjoy my culture's food. Now I see that comment as a microaggression rooted in eurocentric values. I see naan, chapati, and rice as healthy carbs that I also think taste good. I see ghee as a cooking agent that is full of nutritious calories. There are many systematic issues that stand in the way of disenfranchised folk seeking mental health help. Financial burden, stigma around mental health, and finding a culturally competent practitioner are only a few obstacles that stand in the way of folks seeking some form of therapy. I am so passionate about myself and others leading a healthy lifestyle because I believe it is a human right to have the resources for a healthy lifestyle. Thank you for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, any help funding my career goal of a mental health practitioner is greatly appreciated.

To be a queer, woman of color, with immigrant parents is an intersection of identities that, by themselves, are complicated to navigate yourself. Add growing up in the Midwest and it’s almost impossible to find people you identify with. I don’t describe myself this way to tokenize myself, I say this to convey that it took me a long time to try and maneuver through who I was and how my identities affected my worldview. This process would’ve been far easier if the correct resources were provided to me, especially if my counselor or therapist was someone who looked like me or who I knew could understand my experiences on the same level. This is where my passion for counseling and therapy comes from. Being aware of the sociological, economical, and racial impacts that make the lived realities of girls of color different than those from the majority group drives my passion for pursuing a career in mental health counseling. For this career path, higher education is essential. It is a career that requires extensive training to ensure we as counselors are practicing ethically and without malice. Besides wanting to be a competent counselor, I am passionate about higher education because I believe in interdisciplinary and lifelong learning. I do not want to become complacent in my knowledge especially because the field of psychology is an ever changing one. I want to continue to learn about the newest and most pertinent research. Higher education is also important to me because through college and graduate school I have been able to connect with a multitude of different perspectives. My undergraduate institution in Kansas exposed me to the views and values of folks from rural communities. It helped me understand issues pertinent to a population so different from my own. Currently I go to graduate school in New York. Here, I am exposed to cultures from all around the world. The conversations happening in my classes are some of the most educational and rewarding ones I have ever had. I love how higher education fosters growth through interpersonal relationships like this. I am currently in graduate school to earn my Masters in Mental Health Counseling. My career goal is to be a mental health practitioner who works with girls of color. I am extremely passionate about pursuing a career in counseling, however as I enter my first semester of graduate school the financial burden is already beginning to feel overwhelming. I already have obtained a work-study position at my University and work on the weekends as a server. A scholarship like this would help relieve me of some of this financial burden as well as help me dedicate more time to school rather than my two jobs. I love pursuing my field at this level and would appreciate any financial relief as I earn my Masters.

1) What does your AAPI culture mean to you and/or why are you interested in Asian American studies/languages? “Do you speak Tamil?” I was starting to lose track of how many times this dreaded question had been asked of me this trip. My auntie looked at me expectantly and I sheepishly answered, like I had to other relatives countless times before, “I can understand only a little, just the basics.” My parents immigrated to the U.S. from South India in the 80s to the small town of Pryor, Oklahoma. Since then, we have lived in Missouri and then a couple years later, Kansas; Never straying from the midwest. Growing up, my parents were trying to assimilate to the US while also raising my brother and myself. This, in addition to living in areas that lacked racial diversity, led to a lack of connection with my heritage and cultural identity. My parents made it a point for our family to visit India every two years during the Summer. These trips have always been a treasured time in my life--the amazing food, reconnecting with my extensive extended family, and being immersed in Indian culture. As I grew older, on each trip I became more acutely aware of how removed I felt from my own culture. It has been the most recent trip, this past Summer, that I have been trying to make more of a conscious effort to internalize as much knowledge I can about my roots. Learning more about Hinduism and Tamil has not only made me feel more secure in my identity, but makes me feel closer to my family even when they are so far away. Learning about my AAPI heritage and the ancient rich culture associated with it also makes me more curious and conscious about other Asian cultures as well. I continue to be inspired to work toward more cultural competence. 2) How do you display one or more of these qualities (service excellence, professionalism, integrity, cultural diversity, and/or human development) as a leader in your respective community? I have a passion for working with--and advocating for--people. At my undergraduate institution, I was heavily involved in the community. Through the Student Governing Association, I served as a senator and the Chair of the On-Campus Allocations Committee. As a senator, I have written legislation that forwards inclusive acts at my undergraduate institution, including the reading of a land acknowledgement at every senate meeting and revising Title IX procedures. As a Chair, I led my own committee dedicated to funding on campus events and college open houses. This year, I’ve overseen a $29,000 budget and have had the opportunity to help navigate a two-million-dollar recall. I also served as a student representative on smaller faculty committees as well as regularly met with administration through the Intercultural Leadership Council. I was in a unique position where I got to give direct feedback to my college’s administration and create a dialogue about the needs of marginalized students. For the Arts and Sciences’ Ambassadors, I have spent two years serving as the Diversity Chair, which involves the long process of planning and hosting the Student Diversity Summit, an event that gives marginalized students a chance to voice their college experiences. This last year, I served as the president of ambassadors and led meetings of more than 50 students weekly. Within ambassadors, I have met with multiple prospective psychology students and have been a mentor to them. My undergraduate career has been shaped by continuously doing work that directly relates to my career goals of being a counselor for young girls of color. My diversity-related work is necessary, especially in a community that has had several racially charged incidents. I don’t just talk about how to implement change; I do everything in my power to ensure actionable change is being facilitated.

“Durga, do you have something to add?” I’m frozen, suddenly hyper aware of the fact that I am in a meeting with my University’s most powerful administrators. Not to mention, there is not a single face in the room that looks like my own. I was in my monthly meeting with the University President, the Provost, Dean of Student Life and a couple other administrators as part of my responsibilities for the Intercultural Leadership Council. Currently, we were discussing the most recent act of hate committed on campus toward students of color. I had been a part of many similar meetings and I knew enough to know that we were heading in the direction that we always do--the students need to rally together and educate each other. I take about five seconds to collect myself, making sure not to mince my words. I knew how important it was not to play into the hysterical young woman stereotype they were expecting of me. “Yes, I was saying something. It should not be the job of students of color to continue to ask administration for help creating a more equitable campus. We are here to earn a degree, not shoulder the burden of protests every weekend.” Finally, the conversation steered toward the University’s steps toward antiracism. I have a passion for working with--and advocating for--people. At my undergraduate institution, I was heavily involved in the community. Through the Student Governing Association, I served as a senator and the Chair of the On-Campus Allocations Committee. As a senator, I have written legislation that forwards inclusive acts at my undergraduate institution, including the reading of a land acknowledgement at every senate meeting and revising Title IX procedures. As a Chair, I led my own committee dedicated to funding on campus events and college open houses. This year, I’ve overseen a $29,000 budget and have had the opportunity to help navigate a two-million-dollar recall. I also served as a student representative on smaller faculty committees as well as regularly met with administration through the Intercultural Leadership Council. I was in a unique position where I got to give direct feedback to my college’s administration and create a dialogue about the needs of marginalized students. For the Arts and Sciences’ Ambassadors, I have spent two years serving as the Diversity Chair, which involves the long process of planning and hosting the Student Diversity Summit, an event that gives marginalized students a chance to voice their college experiences. This last year, I served as the president of ambassadors and led meetings of more than 50 students weekly. Within ambassadors, I have met with multiple prospective psychology students and have been a mentor to them. My undergraduate career has been shaped by continuously doing work that directly relates to my career goals of being a counselor for young girls of color. My diversity-related work is necessary, especially on a campus that has had several racially charged incidents. I don’t just talk about how to implement change; I do everything in my power to ensure actionable change is being facilitated.

It can be hard to maintain good mental health in today's world especially when it seems like things are continuing to pile on--a pandemic, the overturning of Roe v Wade, inflation, the climate crisis--just to name a few. It is exhausting having to think about all of this and still plan a future for yourself. Here are just a few things that keep me calm and level headed: Keeping a clean living area: The act of cleaning itself can be calming and grounding. I also find that after I clean and I can relax in a clean house or room, I am in a much better headspace. Regular exercise: Though, I have never been the most keen on working out, I realized that when I started doing some physical activity every morning my mood greatly improved. Not only does movement give you a natural dopamine boost, but it also helps maintain a schedule for yourself. Even if the rest of your day does not go as planned, at least you have one constant. Taking in the little things: As mentioned earlier, thinking about the state of the world is exhausting and stressful. This is why it is important to be mindful of the small moments of joy that happen throughout your day. Really try and appreciate the conversations with your friends or that delicious dinner you cooked. Taking time to slow down like this has really helped me treasure a lot of things in my life. Resist becoming a nihilist: When everything seems to be going wrong and you can not seem to get a win, it can be easy to just continue to spiral. Whenever I get into these moods I have to remember what I am working towards--my dream career, financial stability, working toward an equitable society. It helps when I remember that there is a future worth building. My last tip would be recognizing that having emotions are healthy. It is okay to go through a sad spell and it is okay to be angry at the world. Emotions that are not pretty are still okay. We can recognize that we have them and then find a healthy outlet for them.

In a country that continuously passes laws and sets precedents that directly oppress and marginalize your identity, it can be hard to live brave and boldly. Most notably, the recent striking down of Roe v Wade. As a woman of color living in the US, more and more I have had to dig deeper to find a reason to be brave and bold in this world. I practice bravery by going out everyday and doing the advocacy work that needs to be done. During my undergraduate career I was a very involved student leader and met with university administration weekly. I went to a PWI and ruthlessly advocated for my fellow marginalized students. Going into my masters, I am earning a degree in mental health counseling so that I can continue to work with and promote better mental health among BIPOC folk. The best way that I can practice bravery is refusing to let the current political climate turn me into a complacent nihilist. I will continue everyday to work toward a more equitable society.

My name is Durga Jambunathan and I am attending graduate school at Teachers College, Columbia in the fall. I am earning my masters in Mental Health Counseling so that I can achieve my career goal of working with children from marginalized groups. If I were to win the $1000 I would put it toward my moving expenses. I currently live in Kansas and am making my move to New York in about a month. This is a huge transitional period for me and most of my stress can be attributed to financial burdens. I will be paying for my own cost of living as well as my tuition. This is my dream school and dream program, so though the money aspect is stressful, I am trying to stay positive. I am so excited to start this new chapter of my life and would appreciate any help possible!