Being the first in my family to obtain a college degree means more to me than just personal achievement; it symbolizes breaking a cycle of hardship and paving the way for future generations. As a low-income first-generation student who has escaped my abusive father's grasp, I have faced numerous challenges. My single mother struggled to find resources to help me with my mental health, leaving me without the support I needed to process my trauma as a child. Now, I am committed to pursuing my dreams of obtaining a Psychology Degree, which is not just about my aspirations but also about becoming a role model for my family and community. I hope to inspire others who may feel trapped in similar circumstances, showing them that higher education is attainable and can lead to meaningful change. In college, I want to focus on becoming a Clinical Psychologist to help children struggling with mental health issues. My goal is to be the person I wish I had when I was younger, someone who understands their struggles and can provide the support they need. With my psychology degree, I aim to return to my neighborhood in San Francisco, “Little Saigon,” and establish my own clinic where I can help Vietnamese youth navigate their mental health challenges and reassure them that they are not alone. To address this specific social issue, I am currently focusing on my education as the foundational step. I am deeply committed to my studies, understanding that gaining a comprehensive education in psychology is crucial to providing effective mental health care. In the long term, my goals extend beyond my personal achievements. I am driven by my personal experiences and my desire to make a difference in the lives of others who are going through similar struggles. By working to break down the stigma surrounding mental health in Asian communities and increasing access to resources, I aim to create a future where no child—including my own—has to face their mental health challenges alone. Ultimately, I want to contribute to a supportive environment for future generations, demonstrating that mental health matters and that it is okay to seek help. Moreover, pursuing higher education is critical to achieving these goals. It represents not only a personal milestone but also a means to uplift my community. I aspire to create programs that promote mental health awareness and provide resources specifically tailored for Vietnamese youth. I believe that my journey can inspire others to prioritize their mental health and pursue their dreams despite obstacles. In my journey, I am also building a network of mentors and peers who share my passion for mental health advocacy. This support system provides me with guidance, encouragement, and opportunities for collaboration. By learning from those who have made significant contributions to the field, I am better equipped to make a meaningful impact on my community.

Mental health, especially among youths, one of society's most vulnerable populations, hasn't been taken seriously in the past. Some adults have even said things to me like, "How can someone so young be depressed?" and "What is there to be depressed about?" As a low-income first-generation student, after escaping my abusive father's grasp, my single mother struggled to find resources to help me with my mental health. I lacked support as a child to help me process my trauma. Now, I'm pursuing my dreams of obtaining a Psychology Degree and becoming a Clinical Psychologist to help children struggling with mental health, becoming the person I wish I had when I was younger. I want to help end the stigma that comes with mental health, especially in Asian communities. As an Asian American, I learned very early on that mental health is frowned upon in my culture, with some even believing that there's no such thing as depression. I found that in Vietnam, there is a lack of diagnoses for mental health issues, which made it difficult for me to explain to my mother what was going on inside my head. With my psychology degree, I aim to return to my neighborhood, in San Francisco, “Little Saigon,” and establish my own clinic where I can help Vietnamese youth struggling with mental health and reassure them that they are not alone. To address this specific social issue, I am currently focusing on my education as the foundational step. I am deeply committed to my studies, understanding that gaining a comprehensive education in psychology is crucial to providing effective mental health care. My coursework and education are all geared towards acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to support children and adolescents facing mental health challenges. Additionally, I participate in research projects that explore the unique mental health challenges faced by Asian American youths. This research is vital in developing culturally sensitive approaches to mental health care, ensuring that the services I provide in the future are both effective and respectful of cultural nuances. My efforts are driven by my personal experiences and my desire to make a difference in the lives of others who are going through similar struggles. By working to break down the stigma surrounding mental health in Asian communities and increasing access to mental health resources, I aim to create a future where no child has to face their mental health challenges alone. In my journey, I am also building a network of mentors and peers who share my passion for mental health advocacy. This support system is invaluable as it provides me with guidance, encouragement, and opportunities for collaboration. By learning from those who have already made significant contributions to the field, I am better equipped to make a meaningful impact.

Depression is like living in a body that’s trying to survive while the brain tries to die. After seventeen years of struggling alone with my mental health, I decided to seek help. What I was later told was, “You have PTSD, Anxiety, and severe depression, and possibly bipolar disorder.” A sentence that shook me to my core as I sat there frozen in discomfort. I struggled with the constant state of not wanting to exist but not wanting to perish constantly since I was four, growing up in a dysfunctional family that consisted of an abusive father who would use his strength for destruction towards the family rather than protecting them. Hearing those words from someone else tore me apart as I was now forced to face reality. I experienced trauma early on in my life that altered my brain chemistry, and after years of struggling with my mental health, at the age of sixteen, two days before Christmas, I nearly lost my battle and landed in the emergency room after overdosing on roughly sixty pills, a mixture of iron medication and Tylenol. After my attempt, I was admitted to the mental hospital for five days, where I spent my Christmas alone and full of strangers. I was given a ripped sock for Christmas and thankfully a blanket as the hospital was freezing cold. The experience I had in the hospital sent me spiraling as I was unable to eat the whole time I was there, losing a little over ten pounds when I was discharged. For the next year, I spiraled even harder than I already was before. I felt violated and lost my sense of dignity when I was forced to strip in front of two adults to do a skin check. I ended up losing the one person who cared for me in the chaos of trying to cope with my mental health, my boyfriend. The only person who cared about me when I overdosed and rushed me to the hospital when I was lifeless and throwing up everywhere. A year passed before I finally felt like giving up. I accidentally blurted out to my doctor, “I think I want to go on antidepressants,” before breaking down and crying. Explaining myself was incredibly painful as I felt like I was five years old, living my childhood all over again. This doctor’s appointment would be the first of many I would go to in order to change my medication and help me “function” throughout the day. For the next seven months, I went to the doctor at least once a month to see if the medication was helping, but even now, my doctors still haven’t figured out the correct dosage and medication to help me. It gets discouraging after eight medication changes, but I haven’t allowed myself to give up yet and abandon my treatments. I refuse to be trapped in a prison of my own mind. I will continue to pursue my treatments in hopes of a better future. When I was younger, I lacked resources to help me process my trauma. Now I want to pursue my dreams of obtaining a Psychology Degree and becoming a Clinical Psychologist to help children struggling with mental health, becoming someone I wish I had when I was younger. I want to help as many children as possible overcome their mental health struggles and show them that things do get better.