When I was a middle schooler, I completed my Girl Scout Silver Award project focused on mental wellness by organizing a Mental Wellness Month for all the students at my school. Throughout the month, we planned different activities to promote awareness and support. Some of these included a free yoga class and mindfulness classes, informational videos my friend and I created about depression, anxiety, and stress, positive Post-it notes with encouraging messages placed around the school, and uplifting music played during passing times to brighten students’ days. My family was a huge support to me during this time partially because our family has been aware of the impact mental illness can have. My brother was diagnosed with ADHD and OCD at a young age, and my parents work hard to learn about his diagnoses and do their best to support him. Additionally, my Aunt Jan, who taught the mindfulness class for Mental Wellness Month, earned her degree in psychology and was planning to go back to school for her master's so she could further her ability and career to help others who were struggling. Her sons Alex and Jack struggled with depression and marijuana addiction, and Alex had been diagnosed with schizophrenia but was refusing treatment. About a year after Mental Wellness Month, my Aunt Jan and my two cousins were shot and killed in their home in February 2020. The murders were committed by my cousin Alex, who was not managing his schizophrenia and drug addiction well. His mom (my Aunt Jan) knew how badly he needed help, and did everything she could to find him resources, but he was an adult and the drugs combined with his mental illness prevented him from accepting help. Then, in 2023, my little brother Luke began using marijuana at age 14, which reopened many old wounds from the 2020 tragedy as we worried about the terrible impacts of drug addiction. Because of our family history, it has been especially hard to deal with this because of the lingering fear and sadness from Jan, Jack, and Alex's deaths. At age 18, Luke still uses marijuana despite attempts to get him through treatment. Like too many others, my family and I experienced one of the worst-case scenarios when drug abuse and mental illness are mixed. The combination is like a messy, wild, confusing knot to try and untangle. Even before Jan, Jack, and Alex’s deaths, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in helping those who struggle with mental health issues, but the tragedy itself combined with seeing and experiencing the grief it caused has given me an even stronger sense that this is my purpose. I’m studying psychology at UW-La Crosse because I want my career to be spent helping people like my cousin Alex so tragedies like this one don’t happen. My brother has also really struggled to find the right person to talk to, hitting many dead-ends along the way. There is simply not nearly enough mental health support for young people and teens. By choosing a career in psychology, I hope to help prevent the losses of people like Alex and help reduce the impacts of drug abuse and untreated mental illnesses that have harmed far too many families. I think my Aunt Jan would be proud of me for pursuing a career surrounding mental health because it was her passion, too.

I vividly remember the day my mom told me that my little brother, Luke, was diagnosed with ADHD, OCD and Tourette's Syndrome. He was exceptionally hyperactive for a seven-year-old boy, and my parents struggled to handle his behavior at home and at school. He also had concerning tics like banging his head on the headrest of his car seat and biting metal forks at dinnertime as hard as he could. My mom and I had been driving in the car, and she told me everything. As a child myself, at 9 years old, I didn't know what these acronyms meant. They sounded big and scary and like they were going to complicate his life forever. She explained to me that diagnoses were simply a way to describe his behavior, and that they were a GOOD thing because now my parents and could help him in more efficiently. While this IS true, Luke's life was far from "fixed" after that. As his big sister, I saw him go from this energetic, crazy kid to becoming increasingly self-conscious about his tics to the point where he cried in the car before school. He was scared he would do something embarrassing at school like yell out a swear word in class. His ADHD medication made his nauseous and at the end of the day, my mom would find the lunch she made him completely untouched in his lunchbox. My parents immediately got him off that medication, and continued to dedicate endless time and energy to try to get him the help he needed, but it was a hard road. Then, in 2020, my aunt and two cousins were shot and killed in their home. The murders were committed by my cousin Alex, who was a paranoid schizophrenic who suffered from drug addiction, including marijuana. His mom (my aunt Jan) knew how badly he needed help, but he was an adult and the drugs combined with his mental illness prevented him from acknowledging it. In 2023, Luke began using marijuana at age 14, which reopened many old wounds from the 2020 tragedy as we worried about the terrible impacts of drug addiction. Because of our family history, it has been especially hard to deal with this because of the lingering fear and sadness from Jan, Jack, and Alex's deaths. At age 18, Luke still uses marijuana despite attempts to get him through treatment. Like too many others, my family and I experienced one of the worst case scenarios when drug abuse and mental illness are mixed. The combination is like a messy, wild, confusing knot to try and untangle. But I believe it IS possible. Throughout all these difficulties, my parents have protected me from this emotional burden and continue to support me unconditionally. And between the strong foundation my parents have given me and the motivation I have from experiencing mental health struggles firsthand, I know I am a good candidate to be a vessel for change. By choosing a career in psychology, I hope to help prevent the losses of people like Jan, Alex, and Jack and help reduce the impacts of drug abuse and untreated mental illnesses that have harmed far too many families. I want to help Luke and others like him. After I graduate from college, I am going to attend graduate school to earn a PhD in Neuropsychology. I want to help many people, but specifically those struggling with mental health problems and addictions. My wonderful aunt Jan, who was also a psychology major in college, would be proud of me for pursuing a career surrounding mental health.

I still remember the day my little brother, Luke, was diagnosed with ADHD, OCD and Tourette's Syndrome. He was exceptionally hyperactive for a seven-year-old boy, and my parents struggled to handle his behavior at home and at school. He had concerning tics like banging his head on the headrest of his car seat and biting metal forks at dinnertime as hard as he could. My mom had told me about his diagnoses in a serious conversation. As a child myself, at 9 years old, I didn't know what these acronyms meant. They sounded big and scary and like they were going to complicate his life forever. She explained to me diagnoses were simply a way to describe his behavior, and that they were a GOOD thing because now my parents and could help him in more efficiently. While this IS true, Luke's life was far from "fixed" after that. As his big sister, I saw him go from this energetic, crazy kid to becoming increasingly self-conscious about his tics to the point where he cried in the car before school. He was scared he would do something embarrassing at school like yell out a swear word in class. His ADHD medication made his nauseous and at the end of the day, my mom would find the lunch she made him completely untouched in his lunchbox. My parents immediately got him off that medication, and continued to dedicate endless time and energy to try to get him the help he needed, but it was a hard road. Then, In 2020, my aunt and two cousins were shot and killed in their home. This impacted my whole family greatly. My cousin Alex, who committed the murders, was a paranoid schizophrenic addicted to marijuana. In 2023, Luke began using marijuana at age 14, which reopened many old wounds from the 2020 tragedy as we worried about the terrible impacts of drug addiction. Throughout all these difficulties, my parents have protected me from this emotional burden and continue to support me unconditionally. Between the strong foundation my parents have given me and the motivation I have from experiencing mental health struggles firsthand, I know I am a good candidate for a scholarship. I will use anything I am given to further my ability to help people like Alex and my brother so what happened to my family won't happen to someone else's.

Take a deep breath. Release the tension in your shoulders, stretch your fingers and wrists. Straighten your posture. I repeat these reminders to myself as I arrange three pencils neatly in the corner of my desk. I take a sip from my water bottle before setting it on the ground, while the professor approaches my desk with a packet of paper. This is my test-taking ritual, refined over many years of standardized testing. Each piece of this procedure addresses a potential obstacle to my success in the exam. A deep breath calms nerves and gets blood flowing to the brain, good posture boosts confidence, and the three pencils guarantee me unlimited writing. Developing test-taking strategies that minimize my anxiety helps set me up for the highest possible level of success before I even put my name on the paper. Going through life is like sitting down for a challenging exam; you can prepare, but you never know exactly what to expect. Managing one’s mental health is like figuring out what test-taking ritual works for you. Making mental health a priority is a vital skill to learn in order to be successful in all areas of life. My mental health journey began during my sophomore year of high school, when I faced going back to in-person school for the first time since the Covid restrictions had been lifted. I felt disconnected, lonely, and burdened by the constant pressure to be someone I wasn’t. This emotional weight was so heavy that I almost quit the swim team which I’d dedicated years to. I’ve also experienced a darker side of mental health issues. In 2020, my cousin Alex, who had schizophrenia and drug issues, shot and killed my aunt, cousin, and himself. This tragedy shocked my family, and at the age of 14 I observed the unfortunate reality of untreated mental illness, and the impact it can have when people struggle with treatment of mental health disorders. Currently, my brother, who has ADHD and OCD, is also battling drug abuse and treatment acceptance. I don’t want to see him go down the same path. These experiences have made mental illness something deeply personal, and they’ve strengthened my commitment to be part of the solution. Because of these events in my life, I’ve realized the great importance of maintaining my mental wellness. For me, this looks like taking care of myself physically, talking with my friends, family, and therapist, and spending time doing things I care about. After my sophomore year, I began working out and cooking healthier meals to take care of my body. Additionally, I started going to therapy and I’ve also learned how to take time for myself. In high school, I felt like I needed to change myself to fit in, which contributed to my anxiety and self-loathing. But through time and therapy, I learned to be comfortable in myself. My friends have been crucial in maintaining my mental wellness and working alongside me while we dedicate our time to academics. Because of them, I’ve become a better student and person. I also maintain my mental health by dedicating my time to things I care about. This is why I decided to study psychology in college. I want to pursue a career in psychology because, as I know from my own experience, there is not nearly enough mental health support for young people and teens, like my brother. Just like my test-taking ritual sets me up for success, my commitment to mental health prepares me to face life with optimism. My goal is to help others do the same.

Maintaining my mental health has become one of my top priorities given the profound impact I have seen it have on my life and on others in my life. My personal journey with mental health began during my sophomore year of high school, when I faced going back to in-person school for the first time since the Covid restrictions had been lifted. I was overwhelmed with nervousness and self-doubt, scared to be seen again by my classmates after such a long period of solitude. 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. This was the first time in my life where I truly began struggling with my mental health. Most times, I felt deeply lonely, and the majority of my days were burdened with an uncomfortable layer of constant stress. It got to the point where I almost quit the swim team because I was so flooded with anxiety. I was not myself. I have also experienced a darker side of mental health issues. In early 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. I don’t want to see him, too, fall victim to a tragic path. Mental illness is deeply personal to me due to these experiences. As a direct result of these events in my life, I’ve realized the great importance of maintaining my own mental wellness. For me, this looks like taking care of myself physically, talking with my friends, family and therapist, and spending time doing things I care about. During the COVID pandemic, I began working out and cooking healthier meals to take care of my body. I noticed that this helped me feel less anxious and allows me to focus better in my classes. I also found a wonderful therapist who helped talk me through my problems. I am also fortunate to have supportive friends and parents who listen to me and give me advice when I need it. My friends have been crucial in maintaining my mental wellness and working alongside me while we dedicate our time to academics. Because of them, I have become a better student and person. Along with taking care of my physical health and communicating with my therapist and family, I also maintain my mental health by dedicating my time to things I care about. This is why I decided to study psychology in college. I want to pursue a career in psychology because, as I know from my own experience, 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, unfortunately 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 hoping to make a positive impact on others' lives, I see more value in my own life and I can recognize my struggles with mental health as lessons that I can use to support others.

When I turned 15, everything changed. As the hot August days drew to a close and school resumed after Covid, I felt overwhelmed with self-doubt and fear, which impacted my schoolwork and caused me to quit the swim team. Fortunately, I found a wonderful therapist who helped me sort through my thoughts. But more importantly, she helped me feel like my emotions were validated 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 didn’t need medication or major lifestyle changes—just being heard helped me feel better. My name is Grace Newman, and I’m a freshman at UW-La Crosse studying Psychology and Spanish. My passion for mental health started early; in seventh grade, my friend and I organized a Mental Wellness Month at our middle school for our Girl Scout Silver Award, aiming to reduce stigma and promote open discussions. Then, in eighth grade, I was introduced to a darker side of mental health issues. I was introduced to a harsh reality when 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 and impact of people who 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. After middle school, I took AP Psychology in tenth grade and Child Development Psychology as a senior, deepening my understanding of mental illnesses. 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. In college and beyond, I aspire to be the listener that I once needed. My own experience of feeling isolated and then finding comfort in being heard by others made me realize the true power of empathy and support. Observing the mental health struggles of my family members also made me realize the rarity of a true listener. That's what led me to study psychology—I want to dedicate my career to being an active listener for others and helping them navigate their challenges. 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. My brother has also struggled to find the right person to talk to, hitting many dead-ends along the way. At the end of the day, there is not nearly enough mental health support for young people and teens. In college and beyond, I want the people I spend time with to find solace in knowing they are understood. By providing listening, empathy, and support, I hope to make a positive impact on others' lives, just as these values have impacted mine.

When I began my sophomore year of high school, it felt like my entire life changed. I faced going back to in-person school for the first time in a year and a half since the 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. This was the first time in my life where I truly began struggling with my mental health. Most days, I felt lonely and I spent more time stressed out than I was relaxed. It got to the point where I almost quit the swim team because I was so flooded with anxiety. Fortunately, I had some ideas about mental health due to a mental wellness month I helped lead at my middle school. I began working out and cooking healthier meals to take care of my body. I noticed that this helped me feel less anxious. I also found a wonderful therapist who helped talk me through my problems. And more importantly, she helped me feel like my emotions were valid and that I wasn’t crazy for feeling the way I did. I am also fortunate to have supportive friends and parents who listen to me and give me advice when I need it. In the years since COVID, I have learned to recognize my own indicators of stress or anxiety and to be proactive in prioritizing my mental health, knowing it is foundational to other areas of my life. I have also experienced a darker side of mental health issues. In early 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. Alex, who was in his mid-20s when he took his life, had spiraled into deeper and deeper psychosis over a few years. People around him could see it happening, from his bouts of homelessness to increasingly erratic thoughts, but he refused evaluation and treatment. I can’t help but wonder…if he had received help early on, would he have accepted treatment and would lives have been saved? My other cousin experienced a psychotic break around the age of 20, related to drug use. He spent time in a psychiatric hospital, was evaluated, and diagnosed with schizophrenia. He faced the dilemma of medication that helped with psychosis but caused undesirable side effects. However, he had hope for a future through managing his mental illness. I can’t help but think...with the psychiatric and psychological help he received, where could his life have taken him if it hadn’t been cut short? Currently, my brother, who has ADHD and OCD, is also battling drug abuse and treatment acceptance. My brother has struggled to find the right person to talk to, hitting many dead-ends along the way. I hope he will find the resources and support for a positive future. As you can imagine, mental illness is deeply personal and important to me due to these experiences. This is a primary reason I decided to study psychology in college. I want to pursue a career in psychology because I know there is not enough mental health support for young people and teens. 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.

In the year 2020, everything changed. Of course, there was the global pandemic that shut the world down in mid-March, but that’s not what I’ll remember most about that year. On September 22, 2020, I was at a Girl Scout cookie booth with my two best friends, trying to raise money for our troop. It was early and I was complaining to my mom because at 14 years old, I thought I was too old for cookie booths. We were standing right inside the entrance to Cub, and I could feel the freezing air washing in through the sliding doors every time shoppers came inside. I shivered and stared down at the brightly packaged cookies, wishing I could be anywhere else. As I moved to straighten a box of Caramel-de-Lites, my mom’s phone rang. She answered it with the cheery voice she always uses when she’s talking to my dad. “Hello!” It was silent for a few moments, then I watched as her face slowly grew solemn and the hollows under her eyes seemed to deepen. A pit in my stomach began to make my heart pound. My eyes were fixed on her face, trying to guess what was wrong. That morning, I found out that my cousin Alex had shot and killed my aunt Jan, his brother Jack, and then himself. Alex was 27 years old and battled paranoid schizophrenia. Jan tried her absolute best to help him and give him resources, but he refused treatment. Additionally, he struggled with drug abuse. His father was addicted to drugs, and indirectly introduced them to his sons. This tragedy shocked my family, and I observed the unfortunate reality and impact of people who struggle with medication, diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. Currently, my brother, who has ADHD and OCD, is also battling drug abuse and is struggling with treatment acceptance. He’s 17 years old and has been using for about two years to my knowledge. Mental illness and drug abuse are deeply personal to me due to these experiences with my family. In college and beyond, I aspire to be a resource for people like Alex and my brother. Observing the mental health struggles of my family members made me see first-hand the destructive impact of drugs and untreated mental illnesses. That's what led me to study psychology—I want to dedicate my career to being present for others and helping them navigate their challenges. 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’m studying psychology at UW-La Crosse because I want my career to be spent helping people like my cousin Alex so tragedies like this one don’t happen. My brother has also really struggled to find the right person to talk to, hitting many dead-ends along the way. There is simply not nearly enough mental health support for young people and teens. By choosing a career in psychology, I hope to help prevent the losses of people like Alex and help reduce the impacts of drug abuse and untreated mental illnesses that have harmed far too many families. My aunt Jan, who was also a psychology major in college, would be proud of me for pursuing a career surrounding mental health.

When I turned 15, everything changed. As the hot August days drew to a close and school resumed after Covid, I felt overwhelmed with self-doubt and fear, which impacted my schoolwork and caused me to quit the swim team. Fortunately, I found a wonderful therapist who helped me sort through my thoughts. But more importantly, she helped me feel like my emotions were validated 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 didn’t need medication or major lifestyle changes—just being heard helped me feel better. 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, my friend and I organized a Mental Wellness Month at our middle school for our Girl Scout Silver Award, aiming to reduce stigma and promote open discussions. Then, in eighth grade, I was introduced to a darker side of mental health issues. I was introduced to a harsh reality when 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 and impact of people who 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. After middle school, I took AP Psychology in tenth grade and Child Development Psychology as a senior, deepening my understanding of mental illnesses. 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. In college and beyond, I aspire to be the listener that I once needed. My own experience of feeling isolated and then finding comfort in being heard by others made me realize the true power of empathy and support. Observing the mental health struggles of my family members also made me realize the rarity of a true listener. That's what led me to study psychology—I want to dedicate my career to being an active listener for others and helping them navigate their challenges. 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. My brother has also struggled to find the right person to talk to, hitting many dead-ends along the way. At the end of the day, there is not nearly enough mental health support for young people and teens. In college and beyond, I want the people I spend time with to find solace in knowing they are understood. By providing listening, empathy, and support, I hope to make a positive impact on others' lives, just as these values have impacted mine.

As soon as I turned 15, everything changed. As the hot August days drew to a close and school resumed after Covid, I felt overwhelmed with self-doubt and fear, which impacted my schoolwork and caused me to quit the swim team. Fortunately, I found a wonderful therapist who helped me sort through my thoughts. But more importantly, she helped me feel like my emotions were validated 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 didn’t need medication or major lifestyle changes—just being heard helped me feel better. 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, my friend and I organized a Mental Wellness Month at our middle school for our Girl Scout Silver Award, aiming to reduce stigma and promote open discussions. Then, in eighth grade, I was introduced to a darker side of mental health issues. I was introduced to a harsh reality when 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 and impact of people who 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. After middle school, I took AP Psychology in tenth grade and Child Development Psychology as a senior, deepening my understanding of mental illnesses. 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. In college and beyond, I want my career to be centered around helping others in ways that I once needed help. My own experience of feeling isolated and then finding comfort in being heard by others made me realize the true power of empathy and support. Observing the mental health struggles of my family members also made me realize the rarity of a true listener. That's what led me to study psychology—I want to dedicate my career to being an active listener for others and helping them navigate their challenges. 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. My brother has also struggled to find the right person to talk to, hitting many dead-ends along the way. At the end of the day, there is not nearly enough mental health support for young people and teens. In college and beyond, I want the people I spend time with to find solace in knowing they are understood. By providing listening, empathy, and support, I hope to make a positive impact on others' lives, just as these values have impacted mine.

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.