In the aftermath of my friend's mental health battle, the very ground beneath me shifted; her suicide attempt wasn't just a wake-up call; it was a call to action echoing within the core of my being. Growing up in an environment that swept mental health concerns under the rug, I felt a pull to challenge this status quo. It wasn't simply about acknowledging the issue, but about turning my pain into purpose. So, I initiated a Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) chapter - our mental health strategies seminars and online/community-wide campaigns weren't just initiatives; they became platforms to empower individuals, cultivating understanding where there was once ignorance. As I delve into making mental health care accessible and affordable, I envision a digital sanctuary: a hub of resources that wouldn't only provide educational materials and online seminars, but extend a virtual hand, offering coping strategies and a network of support, free and readily available to anyone seeking a lifeline. In a potential world where technology connects us emotionally, picture a collaborative effort where expertise meets accessibility, where individuals facing mental health struggles connect with professionals seamlessly and create bridges across geographical distances, but more importantly, financial gaps that often stand in the way of people and the support they need. I hope to redefine accessibility and affordability as realities within arm's reach. This isn't just a proposal; it's a piece of my story—one not about theories and strategies, but about creating a future where mental health support is a fundamental right.

My friend’s suicide attempt was an aggressive wake-up call to my own lack of social awareness. Confession time: I grew up thinking “mental health” was an overexaggerated concept, something that was blown out of proportion by those fishing for attention and sympathy. It wasn’t a comfortable conversation to have in the kind of community I grew up in, and certainly was not a topic of importance in my household growing up. Having not experienced mental health issues myself yet, it was easy to dismiss it as a sign of weakness and ineptitude in handling life’s challenges, something someone can easily snap out of. It wasn’t until one of my dear friends was hospitalized for attempting suicide that I finally realized the true gravity of mental health issues. Through my friend’s experience and my own learning, I realized how societal stigmas and misconceptions contributed to my previous beliefs and how harmful they were to those genuinely struggling with their mental health. I understood the importance of creating an educated society that can help break the stigmas surrounding this issue, so I set out to start a SADD chapter in my community. SADD, which stands for Students Against Destructive Decisions, has become my platform to create a community that values education on issues related to mental health and a myriad of other stigmatized topics. Our aim is to provide a nurturing environment where students can learn, share, and grow, fostering a culture that embraces compassion and understanding. Through various activities and initiatives, such as our yearly Red Ribbon Week, Unity Days, and Suicide Prevention months, as well as the various fundraisers we are initiating for Save the Children and the SAFE Project, our chapter seeks to empower individuals to overcome misconceptions, develop coping strategies, and build a network of support, thereby positively impacting not only individuals but the community as a whole. It serves as a reminder that mental health is a multifaceted issue that can only be tackled by endorsing inclusive, supporting environments that acknowledge the harsh realities of mental health issues. Leadership in this industry, to me, is an embodiment of commitment and responsibility that manifests in the transformative power of personal experiences to drive change. It's the willingness to take initiative in addressing critical issues, often blossoming from the realization that creating positive change begins with the courage to challenge one's own beliefs. It's not merely about directing others, but about guiding by example through my own relationships, fostering an environment where understanding and empathy flourish. My journey to establish our SADD chapter was more than a title or a role; it quickly became a commitment to advocate for a cause beyond myself, and my experience with my friend's suicide attempt led me to recognize that my aspirations go beyond personal growth and transformation. The essence of leadership, in my own context, is about catalyzing a collective understanding. It involves igniting passion, instigating dialogue, and nurturing a sense of responsibility within the community. I see leadership more as a vehicle for change, not solely in the creation of a community that supports mental health awareness but in the fundamental shift of societal norms. It is a profound responsibility to encourage and empower others to stand up against the norms that confine and stereotype, and to establish a culture where mental health is no longer stigmatized, but openly discussed and supported. This journey has taught me that my career aspirations shouldn't be about dictating, but about listening, learning, and empowering others to raise their voices. It's about embracing vulnerability, acknowledging one's previous misconceptions, and using that growth to inspire change.

My friend’s suicide attempt was an aggressive wake-up call to my own lack of social awareness. Confession time: I grew up thinking “mental health” was an overexaggerated concept, something that was blown out of proportion by those fishing for attention and sympathy. It wasn’t a comfortable conversation to have in the kind of community I grew up in, and certainly was not a topic of importance in my household growing up. Having not experienced mental health issues myself yet, it was easy to dismiss it as a sign of weakness and ineptitude in handling life’s challenges, something someone can easily snap out of. It wasn’t until one of my dear friends was hospitalized for attempting suicide that I finally realized the true gravity of mental health issues. Through my friend’s experience and my own learning, I realized how societal stigmas and misconceptions contributed to my previous beliefs and how harmful they were to those genuinely struggling with their mental health. I understood the importance of creating an educated society that can help break the stigmas surrounding this issue, so I set out to start a SADD chapter in my community. SADD, which stands for Students Against Destructive Decisions, has become my platform to create a community that values education on issues related to mental health and a myriad of other stigmatized topics. Our aim is to provide a nurturing environment where students can learn, share, and grow, fostering a culture that embraces compassion and understanding. Through various activities and initiatives, such as our yearly Red Ribbon Week, Unity Days, and Suicide Prevention months, as well as the various fundraisers we are initiating for Save the Children and the SAFE Project, our chapter seeks to empower individuals to overcome misconceptions, develop coping strategies, and build a network of support, thereby positively impacting not only individuals but the community as a whole. It serves as a reminder that mental health is a multifaceted issue that can only be tackled by endorsing inclusive, supporting environments that acknowledge the harsh realities of mental health issues. Leadership, to me, is an embodiment of commitment and responsibility that manifests in the transformative power of personal experiences to drive change. It's the willingness to take initiative in addressing critical issues, often blossoming from the realization that creating positive change begins with the courage to challenge one's own beliefs. It's not merely about directing others, but about guiding by example, fostering an environment where understanding and empathy flourish. My journey to establish our SADD chapter was more than a title or a role; it quickly became a commitment to advocate for a cause beyond myself, and my experience with my friend's suicide attempt led me to recognize that leadership goes beyond personal growth and transformation. The essence of leadership, in my own context, is about catalyzing a collective understanding. It involves igniting passion, instigating dialogue, and nurturing a sense of responsibility within the community. I see leadership more as a vehicle for change, not solely in the creation of a community that supports mental health awareness but in the fundamental shift of societal norms. It is a profound responsibility to encourage and empower others to stand up against the norms that confine and stereotype, and to establish a culture where mental health is no longer stigmatized, but openly discussed and supported. This journey has taught me that leadership isn’t about dictating, but about listening, learning, and empowering others to raise their voices. It's about embracing vulnerability, acknowledging one's previous misconceptions, and using that growth to inspire change.

"G52!" Miss Paula shrieked - she had just won her third bingo match in a row, defeating my claims of being the so-called "best bingo master she had ever seen". I now owed her my dessert from dinner, later getting me in trouble with the nurses, but made me a hall-of-fame volunteer amongst the rest of the residents. However, underneath my feigned sadness over losing my banana pudding, I was ecstatic that Paula was finally able to experience a moment of joy and victory, her laughter echoing through the halls, a respite from the challenging aspects of her condition which too often overshadowed her days. Paula was my assigned resident at the Assisted Living and Memory Care facility where I started volunteering during my freshman year of high school. For two years, I spent every Sunday with her, taking her on walks around the facility, doing her nails, sipping juice and painting, and exchanging life stories for hours. She used to be a third-grade teacher, with 3 kids and a dog named Elvis, as well as a love for traveling the world. Her room was lined with trinkets from Peru, France, Mexico, Italy, and Germany; her favorite was an "I ❤️ LONDON" teddy bear her husband had bought her during their trip to the UK. At 62, she was diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease, an untreatable genetic disease that deteriorates cerebral nerve cell functionality. Her symptoms had worsened quicker than her family had expected, and she was soon placed in the facility to be under careful medical watch. I had never been exposed to this sort of responsibility before, taking care of an older patient. By my third week of being assigned to Paula, I had already become familiar with her daily speech and physical therapy activities and had her medication schedule memorized like the back of my hand. I took the time to familiarize myself with Huntington's and learn about the various research being done at universities and research centers - Paula loved it when I would read these research papers aloud, though most of the time, neither of us fully understood what was being read. She loved the feeling of hope that came with knowing people were dedicating their careers to treating her condition nonetheless. I couldn't help but get attached to Paula's case. I always knew I wanted to do something medicine-related in my career, but I was never too sure what exactly that entailed for me. On top of the personal research I was doing, I joined medical research clubs, competitions, and internships in my community that catered to what would soon become my personal explorations of biomedical engineering and neuroscience. Witnessing the impact of Huntington's on Paula's life became a driving force in shaping my aspirations, her resilience and the challenges she faced driving me to seek potential, tangible solutions during my own future career. I longed to contribute to the development of innovative technologies or treatments that could potentially alleviate the suffering caused by neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's. My experience with Paula not only propelled my academic/extracurricular pursuits but also enriched my understanding of empathy, patience, and the significance of human connections in healthcare. Through my short-lived time with her, I learned more from her spirit and unwavering determination than any textbook or classroom lecture could ever offer. While our friendship was initially born out of a volunteer assignment, it quickly evolved into a personal mission to comprehend the complexities of neurodegenerative conditions through a potential career at the intersection of medicine, technology, and neuroscience, all as devotion to the lives of people like Paula.