My name is Jo'Elle Sengsourichanh, and this fall I will attend Tuskegee University to study Psychology with plans to become a Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychologist. My passion for mental health advocacy comes from personal experience. As a child, a teacher discovered suicide notes I had written and alerted my mother. What followed was a years-long journey of trying to access mental health support while navigating long waitlists, insurance barriers, and limited resources. Those experiences showed me how difficult it can be for families to find affordable and consistent mental health care when they need it most. As I began healing, I became passionate about helping others feel less alone. During high school, I helped co-found Chosen Generation, a student-led group that created space for students to discuss challenges, build community, and connect with support through mentorship, prayer gatherings, and open conversations. Through those experiences, I met students facing many of the same barriers my family had faced. Those experiences inspired me to create The Covered Bridge, a developing nonprofit focused on connecting youth and families with mentorship, mental health resources, community support, and eventually scholarships for future mental health professionals. Through my education and future career, I hope to help bridge the gap between those who need help and the resources available to them.