"Every teenage girl hates their body; it's normal," the media says. From casual comments in children's TV shows to unashamed advertisements marketing pills that guarantee they will help you lose 30 pounds in a month, negative body talk is everywhere. When young girls cry for help surrounding their body image issues, it's often written off as "average teen girl problems." Once becoming a licensed mental health professional, I will dedicate my career to normalizing mental health support and denormalizing the immense hatred our society allows young women to feel toward their bodies. In my early teenage years, I also felt the beauty industry's crushing pressures. I believed that my body-- one with stretch marks from growth spurts and acne from hormones-- was a problem to be fixed. In reality, I was simply human. I am passionate about spreading a message to girls like me worldwide: there is nothing wrong with you. I am persevering, like many other teen girls who align with body positivity, by ignoring the ideologies forced upon me by the surrounding world. As someone who experienced insecurities about the size and shape of my body at a young age, I could have never imagined that I would have fallen in love with weightlifting. Female workout routines are most often cardio-centric, believing that the goal of athletic women is to burn calories and lose fat. However, I decided when I began my fitness journey that I would seek only to feel good, not in an attempt to be perceived as conventionally attractive. I quickly fell in love with lifting weights due to the emotional and physical outlet it provided, as well as the quality time it allowed me to spend with my older brother. Additionally, I discovered that the courage required to exist proudly in a larger body, especially one created intentionally through muscle mass increases, is immense. Though I am only seventeen, I recognize the programming women are given at a young age. By studying how and why such harmful ideas have been allowed to permeate the minds of our youth for so long, I hope to play a part in dismantling the system that promotes it. We as a society can redefine teenage girlhood, straying away from stereotypes like poor self-esteem, low intelligence, and weakness. My confidence is feminine. My intelligence is feminine. Most importantly, my strength is feminine. Teach young women that femininity isn't pain and that their teenage lives should not be spent creating the smallest versions of themselves. Scholarships such as this one that would allow me to get the education I desire would give me the opportunity to break into the industries that put young women down, and redesign them. On a smaller scale, as a therapist, I would work with these girls to help them unlearn what they have been taught about their bodies and their place in the world. This education will give me the opportunity to help women worldwide recognize their worth and encourage them to persevere, despite the systems in place trying to stop them.

As a Queer individual raised in the South, every day is a challenge. Simply waking up and facing the world is an act of bravery for young LGBTQ+ people everywhere, especially those residing in the Bible Belt. For a country known as the United States, I have never seen people so divided. Discourse about the separation of church and state is near constant, now more than ever. The overturning of Roe v Wade has brought previously legally settled topics such as gay marriage back up for debate. It is heartbreaking to see the topic of Queer rights treated as something arguable, or anything less than essential. Recently, the first Union County Pride event in history was held in North Carolina, where I have lived since I was less than six months old. The turnout of supporters was low, and the noise of protestors was loud. Many pride events in the area, including some in my hometown of Waxhaw, have been canceled due to the establishments hosting them receiving severe backlash and many death threats. As someone who is Queer, the daughter of two Queer women, and a kindhearted individual, this is all extremely painful to watch. Every day, whether on social media or in person, I see Queer people being berated and outcasted for their identity. Religious extremists force the Queer population to fight every day to be given the same respect that is handed to cis-gendered, heterosexual individuals. The problem doesn't lie with the large Christian population in the Southern United States but with the normalization of hatred and violence toward the LGBTQ+ community. The change I wish to see most in the world is increased compassion among humankind. Discrimination has existed societally since the dawn of time, but that is no reason to accept complacency. We must encourage others to expand their minds and realize that we as people are far more alike than we are different. Sexuality and gender identity do not define us, but our heart does. Creating meaningful connections with people we view as different from us is possible and essential. Together, as people from all different walks of life and with identities all our own, we can make a real difference in the world. I hope that generations from now, Queer discrimination will be an issue of the past, and we will be closer than ever to true equality among people. The complete abolition of queerphobia is a goal we should all strive for, and it's something I hope I will live to see.

From the day I learned the word "psychology," I have wanted to study it. Like most highly empathetic individuals, I grew up wanting to leave the most significant impact on the world possible. For me, this meant doing everything in my power to pursue a career in the mental healthcare field. There is nothing more valuable than human connection. Understanding this at a young age, I often found myself being a listener and an observer. This is the heart of psychology. The human mind is complex, but my hunger for knowledge insists I understand every facet of it to the best of my ability. While continuing to study human nature, I seek to help others understand the mental challenges they face can be overcome. Mental illness can seem like an impossible obstacle, but treatment is possible. It would be an honor to contribute to the betterment of the collective well-being of this country. While most women pursuing STEM occupations face the adversity that comes with being in a male-dominated field, psychology majors do not. The British Psychological Society states that more than 59% of psychologists are women. While this minimizes the chance of women in the field feeling like they are seen as underqualified, it comes with its own set of challenges. In a survey given by the same organization, it was recorded that the vast majority of individuals view psychology as a feminine occupation. This pushes the narrative that mental health is only a female issue, furthering the idea that women are dramatic in expressing emotion. It also discourages men from seeking treatment for their mental health problems by acting as if it's unmanly to seek help. This is not only incorrect but dangerous, as men were documented to commit suicide at a rate 4x higher than women as of 2020. Toxic masculinity and misogyny create a unique problem for women in psychology because of society's strange outlook on the field. As interest in the psychology field grows, so does competition. Colleges cannot accept everyone into their programs, so individuals looking to study common subjects must work harder to prove themselves while applying. I am overjoyed to know that many people share my love for this topic, but I recognize that being accepted into a college that will allow me to pursue this degree is now more difficult consequentially. However, this does not discourage me in my pursuit, as I know I have the drive necessary to land a spot at my ideal psychology-focused university.

The human mind has fascinated me for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my behavior differed from that of my peers and, as many people considered to be "different" are, I was an outcast. My experience is far from unique, but my approach to the situation certainly was. At only eight years old, I became obsessed with sociology and psychology, desperately wanting to know what set me apart from others. This, however, was in no way an attempt to discover any sort of flaw I may have possessed and eradicate it to assimilate but was a pursuit fueled by pure curiosity about human behavior. I spent countless hours of my childhood reading books, blogs, and online articles about the subject to research as much as I was able to, given access to a public library and my mother's computer. That experience ignited my passion for both psychology and research in general, which continues to inspire me in my quest for knowledge to this day. Throughout the years, many specific subjects in psychology have entertained me. Recently, I have become preoccupied with the effects of trauma on the mind and body. It is incredible to see the physical differences in brain scans of traumatized versus non-traumatized individuals, demonstrating how emotional turmoil can change one's physiology as well as their mental thought process. "The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma" by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D., has been a wonderful tool for me as I continue discovering more on this topic. This past year, I have focused my studies on childhood trauma and abuse specifically, writing an editorial for my English III Honors class on the long-lasting effects of spanking a child. The root of violence in society almost always begins in the home, and yet many forms of abuse are still normalized. This is something I would love to explore further as my educational journey progresses. Though there have been many ground-breaking discoveries in the psychology field, there is still much work to be done. As I am only sixteen, my current opportunities are fairly limited. However, through my scientific studies fostered by my future higher education programs and the experience I will gain in my future practice as a mental health counselor, I hope to contribute to our collective knowledge of the subject. I am committed to learning more about psychology daily and fostering my love for research. The STEM field is fascinating, and I know my passion for it is something I will never lose.

Underprivileged communities are disproportionately unable to receive proper treatment for their mental health issues. Mental illnesses don't discriminate, so why should we? If low-income and POC groups experience substance abuse, depression, suicidal thoughts, and other traumas as often, if not more frequently as the average middle-class white American, why is it significantly more difficult for those communities to receive treatment? In a 2018 study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, it was shown that over 90 percent of Black Americans with a serious substance abuse disorder were unable to receive treatment. This is partially due to systemic racism within America and otherwise attributed to economic disenfranchisement, geographic inaccessibility, less access to insurance coverage in comparison to white Americans, and the stigma within POC communities surrounding mental health treatment. Accessibility is key. Accessibility saves lives. The rise of digital mental health care is contributing to the solution, but that's not available to all people either. To make a substantial difference, mental health must be integrated into primary care offices nationwide. Mental illness is just that; an illness. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death in 15-19-year-olds alone. It must be taken as seriously as other potentially fatal health problems. If America truly cares about the prevention of suicide, changes must be made. Though it will not be easy, I am dedicated to becoming a part of the change within the mental healthcare system. These services must become far more attainable for all people, specifically low-income and POC families. Now more than ever, people need the help of therapists, counselors, psychiatrists, and psychologists worldwide.

From the day I learned the word "psychology," I've wanted to study it. Like most highly empathetic individuals, I grew up wanting to leave the greatest impact on the world that I possibly could. For me, this meant doing everything in my power to pursue a career in the mental healthcare field. There is nothing more valuable than human connection. Understanding this at a young age, I often found myself being a listener and an observer. This is the heart of psychology. The human mind is extremely complex, but my hunger for knowledge insists I understand every facet of it to the best of my ability. While continuing to study human nature, I seek to help others understand the mental challenges they face can be overcome. Mental illness can seem like an impossible obstacle, but treatment is out there. Underprivileged communities are disproportionately unable to receive proper treatment for their mental health issues. Mental illnesses don't discriminate, so why should we? If low-income and POC groups experience substance abuse, depression, suicidal thoughts, and other traumas as often, if not more frequently as the average middle-class white American, why is it significantly more difficult for those communities to receive treatment? In a 2018 study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, it was shown that over 90 percent of Black Americans with a serious substance abuse disorder were unable to receive treatment. This is partially due to systemic racism within America and otherwise attributed to economic disenfranchisement, geographic inaccessibility, less access to insurance coverage in comparison to white Americans, and the stigma within POC communities surrounding mental health treatment. This stigma surrounding mental health services is extremely dangerous in our society. Negative familial and societal influences can cause many to postpone seeking treatment, allowing their condition to worsen severely. The normalization of mental healthcare will greatly increase the number of people able to gather the courage to ask for help. The astronomically positive effects on one's mental health that occur when someone feels understood are something I've always been fascinated with. Mental health services save lives daily, control substance abuse within communities, and offer struggling individuals the assistance they need to regain control over their life. Suicide is a growing problem in the modern world, averaging 130 deaths daily by this cause. Through mental health counseling and other supportive services, this statistic can drop dramatically. Though it will not be easy, I am dedicated to becoming a part of the change within the mental healthcare system. These services must become far more attainable for all people, specifically low-income and POC families. Now more than ever, people need the help of therapists, counselors, psychiatrists, and psychologists worldwide.

Aphrodite Made Me Do It by Trista Mateer saved my life. In my battle with mental illness, Mateer's writings made me feel like I wasn't all alone in the world. Throughout this collection of poetry, she combines art and mythology to explore the unique experiences of being a queer woman in America. The way Trista Mateer released her burdens through writing made my own trauma feel lighter. There are few things more isolating than feeling unworthy, out of place, or that your very identity is incorrect in the eyes of the world. You are told by the world that your queerness is unacceptable. A choice. Heathenistic. Disgusting. Queer individuals fight to find a community in which they feel valued. Mateer brought that to light. Women never feel as though they are enough. Every woman has felt too fat, too skinny, too loud, too ugly, too tall, too short, too everything-they-were-born-to-be. We fall prey to the male gaze and societal standards. We let the media infiltrate our thoughts and consume us every time we pass by a mirror. Aphrodite Made Me Do It explains all of this and more, letting women worldwide know they are deserving of self-love. Mateer's poems brought my family together. There was a period of my life in which I struggled to find the words to explain my mental health struggle to my parents. Mateer made me feel understood and expressed my own emotions in ways I wouldn't have been able to myself. I marked my favorite poems and set them on my mom's bedside table, opening a conversation I would've never been able to start on my own. I cannot thank the writers and artists that collaborated on Aphrodite Made Me Do It for all they have done for me.

Prioritizing my own mental health has always been a struggle for me. My anxiety disorder often tells me that my chances of danger only increase with each step away from my bed. By practicing self-care daily, my anxiety has severely decreased and I feel generally happier overall. Self-care saved my life. By having something to look forward to, whether a face mask or taking a relaxing shower, I found the motivation to get up every morning. My battle with depression has been long and hard, but finding joy in life's simple pleasures has gotten me through it all. It's fascinating how great the impact of one nature walk can hold for someone who's struggling mentally. When talking about my mental health recovery process with friends, I cannot mention enough how self-care isn't just what is advertised in the media. While implementing a 12-step skincare routine into your daily life or cleaning your house top-to-bottom can certainly be beneficial, it is not your only option. Sometimes self-care is eating a meal you loved as a child, doodling in a notebook when you need a break, or simply taking a few deep breaths. Self-care is acknowledging your stress and your current state of mind and taking a moment for you to improve it. The heart of self-care is not in the expensive bath bombs or extensive workout regimens but in mindfulness. Self-care can be simple. Self-care is personal. Self-care is essential to your everyday life.