What have you learned about mental health during your high-school years and how will you apply it in the yearstocome? When I turned 15, everything changed. I faced going back to in-person school for the first time in a year and a half since Covid restrictions had been lifted, and I was overwhelmed with nervousness and self-doubt. The isolation and time away from a normal school environment had plunged me into a spiral of insecurity and fear of the year to come. Fortunately, I found a wonderful therapist who helped me sort through my thoughts. But more importantly, she helped me feel like my emotions were valid and that I wasn’t crazy for feeling the way I did. I was also fortunate to have supportive friends and parents who listened to me when I needed to vent. I was lucky because I had access to resources that allowed me to feel heard and work through my issues. My name is Grace Newman, and I’m a freshman at UW-La Crosse studying Psychology and Spanish. I grew up in Mahtomedi, Minnesota. My passion for mental health started early; in seventh grade, a friend and I organized a Mental Wellness Month at our middle school. Our main goal was to reduce the stigma around mental health by encouraging open conversations and active listening in school and among friends. In high school, I took AP Psychology and Child Development Psychology, deepening my understanding of mental health. Both of these classes gave me a broader understanding of the human mind and mental health. These classes helped me connect academic material to my own personal experiences and realize how fortunate I am to have supportive people in my life, unlike many who lack such support. I’ve also experienced a darker side of mental health issues. In 2020, my cousin Alex, who had schizophrenia and drug issues, took the lives of my aunt, cousin, and himself. This tragedy shocked my family and I observed the unfortunate reality of untreated mental illness, and the impact it can have when people struggle with medication, diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. Currently, my brother, who has ADHD and OCD, is also battling drug abuse and treatment acceptance. Mental illness is deeply personal to me due to these experiences. In college and beyond, I aspire to be the listener that I once needed. Dr. Ralph G. Nichols, known as the ‘father of listening,’ once said, “The most basic of all human needs is to understand and to be understood.” These words inspire me deeply. My goal is to create a space where people feel truly heard and valued. While listening alone can't cure serious mental illnesses, it's essential for individuals like my cousin Alex to have their conditions recognized so they can begin the journey toward help. I am also driven to learn more about why mental illness occurs, and be a part of solutions for people who are struggling. For my career, I am considering psychiatry or neuroscience so I can have a deeper understanding and make an impact. I also want to pursue a career in psychology because there is not nearly enough mental health support for young people and teens. My brother has struggled to find the right person to talk to, hitting many dead-ends along the way. I want to be a part of the solution of making sure anyone with a mental health concern can access resources to be heard and helped. By providing listening, empathy, and support, I hope to make a positive impact on others' lives, just as these values have impacted mine.