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Ja'Vione Fontenot

835

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

Bio

I want to become a psychiatrist because of the world's lack of awareness of mental illness; I wish to make a difference in the lives of those suffering and help create a more compassionate and supportive society. I have observed the stigma and lack of resources that prevent people from getting the care and support they need for their mental health issues. I believe that by becoming a psychiatrist, I can play a crucial role in improving the lives of those struggling with mental illness. As a psychiatrist, I would be trained to evaluate and diagnose mental health problems, develop treatment plans, and provide ongoing support and care to those who need it.

Education

Robert E Lee High School

High School
2019 - 2023

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Majors of interest:

    • Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
  • Planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      psychology

    • Dream career goals:

    • shift lead "manager"

      Top Golf
      2022 – Present2 years

    Sports

    Basketball

    Junior Varsity
    2021 – 20232 years

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      LSU — server
      2022 – 2022

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Entrepreneurship

    Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship
    Hello, my name is Javione Fontenot. The majority of my life, I have been a positive person who does not look back and keeps pushing forward regardless of the obstacles. I have been known to help my friends before I allow myself, which n itself is a double-edged sword. Later on, when I discovered that a loved one had passed away, I would find myself in a hole that I had dug by burying my emotions and that I would end up in when I learned they had passed away. This diminished my sense of pride in doing anything or caring for others. I blocked myself from the world because of the pain I dealt with. It took me months of therapy to open up my feelings to my therapist. I felt that as a man, I needed to hide my feelings from the world, or I would be seen as a weak man and not valued as a strong-minded person individual. My therapist taught me that it is OK to cry, to be vulnerable, and to need a shoulder. As a result of my therapist I am one of the main reasons I am here today because he guided me along my quest to understand my true self and to express my true thoughts, even when they can be harmful, in a positive manner, which would carry over to my work ethic. When I met my therapist, I lost myself and was unable to comprehend the thought of me losing my father and fading away in front of me. My grades were also slipping with my will to do things. The lessons I learned from him will take me through life because of his guideline; I have gained a passion that I was already trying to do, which was helping people with their mental struggles because of my past relations with the topic. I would love to help people in that same terrible place I once was in. Through the medical profession of becoming a psychiatrist, I helped kids and adults through their journey to find their inner selves. Battling mental issues or even understanding emotions can be rough on anybody because we are not meant to carry it all on. Our humans as a species evolved with the use of others dating back to the early times of the Stone Age when people would get together as tribes to solve problems and survive. This same thing goes for people. I have learned that we all need to be able to express ourselves to someone to not collapse as a person mentally and physically. I am glad to have been taught the lesson. I hope that by understanding what it means to know your emotions and by expressing those negative thoughts in a self-destructive way, I will be able to help people in the same way that my therapist was able to help me, which will lead me to help people in the same way that my therapist helped me.
    Haywood Reed Jr. Well Being Scholarship
    Maintaining good mental and emotional health is a critical factor that can make a significant difference in achieving academic and personal success. As a student, I understand the importance of caring for my mental and emotional well-being. Managing my mental and emotional health can improve my ability to perform well academically and manage my personal life. One healthy habit I have decided to adopt to manage my mental and emotional health in school is mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness meditation is a technique that involves being present and aware of one's thoughts and emotions without judgment. The practice has been scientifically proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression and promote emotional well-being. Practicing mindfulness meditation aims to improve my ability to manage stress and maintain a positive outlook. Creating a safe space for my friends and other students to manage their mental and emotional health is also crucial. Mental health awareness events on campus can help raise awareness and promote a culture of openness and acceptance around mental health. By organizing workshops, support groups, and guest speakers, students can learn more about mental health and share their experiences with others. In addition to this, I plan to work with the school administration to establish a peer support program. This program will support students struggling with mental and emotional health issues. Students will receive training and guidance on how to help their peers, creating a safe and confidential space for them to discuss their challenges. Promoting a culture of openness and acceptance is also critical to creating a safe space for students to manage their mental and emotional health. I plan to lead by example by being open about my mental and emotional struggles and encouraging others to do the same. By doing this, students can develop a sense of community and support for one another, ultimately leading to improved academic and personal outcomes. In conclusion, maintaining good mental and emotional health is essential to academic and personal success. By adopting healthy habits such as mindfulness meditation and creating a safe space for students to manage their mental and emotional health, I hope to impact the well-being of myself and others positively. Promoting a culture of openness and acceptance around mental health can go a long way in creating a safe and supportive environment where students can thrive academically and emotionally. This will help the world become more critical and more aware of the mental problems taking place and the effort to prevent them.
    Maverick Grill and Saloon Scholarship
    As a young black man aspiring to become a psychiatrist, I am acutely aware of the disparities and injustices that exist within the healthcare system, particularly for black individuals. Throughout my life, I have witnessed firsthand the effects of systemic racism and how it impacts the health outcomes of black individuals. Therefore, I am committed to giving back to my community by using my skills and knowledge as a psychiatrist to help address these disparities and promote greater equity within the healthcare system. There are several ways in which I plan to give back to my community as a black young man trying to become a psychiatrist. First and foremost, I plan to work directly with black individuals who are struggling with mental health issues. I believe that by providing culturally competent and sensitive care, I can help to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in the black community and encourage more individuals to seek the help they need. Additionally, I plan to work with community organizations and advocacy groups to promote greater awareness and understanding of mental health issues within the black community. By working together, we can help to address the systemic barriers that prevent black individuals from accessing the care they need and ensure that mental health is a priority for policymakers and healthcare providers. I also plan to mentor and support other black individuals who are interested in pursuing careers in healthcare, particularly in psychiatry. I believe that by sharing my own experiences and providing guidance and support, I can help to increase the representation of black individuals within the healthcare field and address the systemic biases that currently exist. Lastly, I plan to engage in research that can help to shed light on the unique mental health needs of the black community. By conducting research that focuses on the experiences of black individuals and their mental health, I hope to contribute to a better understanding of the barriers that exist within the healthcare system and work towards finding solutions that can promote greater equity and access to care. In conclusion, as a black young man trying to become a psychiatrist, I am committed to giving back to my community in a variety of ways. Through direct patient care, community outreach, mentoring, and research, I hope to use my skills and knowledge to promote greater equity and access to mental health care for all individuals, regardless of their race or socioeconomic status. I am grateful for the opportunity to pursue my dreams and give back to my community, and I am committed to making a difference in the lives of those around me.
    PAC: Diversity Matters Scholarship
    As a young black man, I am acutely aware of the disparities and injustices within the healthcare system. Unfortunately, research has shown that black men and women are often neglected in the medical system, which can lead to serious health consequences. One of the significant issues is the lack of representation of black doctors within the healthcare system. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, only 5% of practicing physicians in the US are black, despite making up 13% of the population. This lack of diversity can lead to a lack of cultural competence among doctors, leading to misdiagnosis or inadequate treatment. Furthermore, black individuals often face financial barriers that prevent them from accessing healthcare. Due to systemic racism, many black individuals experience poverty and lack access to health insurance, making it challenging to afford preventative care or necessary medical treatment. As a result, many black individuals leave health problems untreated, which can lead to serious health consequences down the line. Systemic biases within the healthcare system further compound these issues. Research has shown that black individuals are likelier to receive inadequate pain management, less likely to receive recommended treatments, and more likely to experience negative interactions with healthcare providers. These biases can lead to mistrust of the healthcare system, which can further deter black individuals from seeking necessary care. As a young black man, I am keenly aware of the challenges and disparities within the healthcare system. We must work to address these issues and promote greater diversity, cultural competence, and equity within the medical field. This could be fixed by addressing these disparities within the healthcare system is to develop a black personal medical assistant (BPMA) program. The BPMA would be a personalized medical assistant service that would provide black individuals access to a team of black doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who are culturally competent and sensitive to their unique needs. The BPMA program would work by partnering with black doctors and other healthcare professionals to create a network of providers accessible to black individuals seeking medical care. The program would utilize telemedicine and mobile apps to connect individuals with a team of medical professionals available to provide personalized care, support, and advice. Some key features of the BPMA program could include Access to Culturally Competent Healthcare Professionals; the program would provide black individuals access to a team of culturally competent healthcare professionals sensitive to their unique needs. This would help address misdiagnosis or inadequate treatment due to a lack of cultural understanding. Also providing Affordable Access to Medical Care, The BPMA program could offer affordable access to medical care for black individuals who lack health insurance or cannot afford necessary medical treatment.