During my high school years, I was very oblivious to mental health. I had no notion of what it was, what it consisted of, and how to treat it. Mental health was never a topic of interest at home or school, no one ever mentioned it. As proven by those around me, in Mexican-origin families feelings are suppressed and ignored. If you are struggling with anything you resort to any method but mentioning your struggles. These methods can include alcohol, drugs, partying, crying alone, or performing reckless activities. In low-income families feeding your family, paying bills, and providing a home is more important than mental health. Professional help is not an alternative, nor a luxury approach to dealing with mental health. This brought me great difficulty in learning about or even acknowledging mental health issues. It was not until my first psychology course in community college that I truly learned about the behavioral and mental health issues individuals encountered. I had the opportunity to learn about abnormal psychology, child and adolescent development, and the body and mind dynamics that play a role in mental health. Stumbling across my psychology course, mental health information, and my realizations; I knew clinical psychology was my path to follow. Therefore, I decided to continue my education toward obtaining my licensure in clinical psychology. My volunteer opportunities have provided me with a stronger conviction to help individuals who struggle with mental health issues. While they also have revealed to me valuable information about mental health. As a volunteer at the Midland Rape Crisis and Children’s Advocacy Center, I learned that individuals who experience a traumatic event need guidance to help them cope with their experiences. Further, individuals who experience traumatic events are grateful to have someone help them process their trauma. My experience at the center is very comforting because I get the opportunity to make individuals feel safe and accompanied. Many families have voiced to me that my presence has made them feel tranquil and more at ease with the process. Further, I help them think less about the traumatic event when we have a simple conversation. Learning that by simply being present I provide comfort, then I can make a greater difference by providing mental health services to individuals who experience trauma or psychological issues. As an upcoming professional, I will be able to provide services that are adequate for the occasion, nonjudgmental, and safe for individuals. While volunteering at the psychological clinic at the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB), I had the opportunity to learn that mental health services are somewhat limited. Although there are many places available for individuals to attend, most are at their full capacity. While many have a waiting line of six months to a year. Further, individuals are seeking services in different languages, the most prominent being Spanish-speaking individuals. Unfortunately, there are limited services in mental health for individuals seeking a different language. Therefore, one of my goals is to attain a certification that allows me to provide mental health services to Spanish-speaking individuals. I believe individuals struggling with mental health should and need the opportunities to become a better version of themselves. They deserve the chance to give back to their communities and future. I have learned that early prevention is the best prevention. Therefore, helping children and adolescents who are struggling with mental health is my greatest aspiration in life. My career goal is to become the bridge for children, adolescents, Spanish-speaking families, and low-income families in the mental health community by being their number one advocate and future licensed professional.

During my high school years, I was very oblivious to mental health. I had no notion of what it was, what it consisted of, and how to treat it. Mental health was never a topic of interest at home or school, no one ever mentioned it. As proven by those around me, in Mexican-origin families feelings are suppressed and ignored. If you are struggling with anything you resort to any method but mentioning your struggles. These methods can include alcohol, drugs, partying, crying alone, or performing reckless activities. In low-income families feeding your family, paying bills, and providing a home is more important than mental health. Professional help is not an alternative, nor a luxury approach to dealing with mental health. This brought me great difficulty in learning about or even acknowledging mental health issues. It was not until my first psychology course in community college that I learned about the behavioral and mental health issues individuals encountered. This course was fascinating to me, it quickly piqued my interest. While taking the course, it finally hit me, and I understood what my best friend’s brother Tom (not his real name) had experienced all those years ago. Spending time with my friend, I was able to see Tom's different behaviors, which brought stress to his family. Tom separated from his wife, had schizophrenia, struggled with depression, and committed suicide. Tom had medications for schizophrenia and depression, however, not having the necessary resources or a dependable income limited his medication accessibility. After years of struggling to maintain his medication intake, feeling helpless, and dealing with the death of his ex-wife he committed suicide. I never really understood why people committed suicide, why they behaved strangely, or what it all meant. However, after his suicide and the little knowledge I had of mental health, a new picture began to form. It opened my eyes to a whole new life. I finally knew the reasons why people committed suicide. I was able to better sympathize with others. I viewed people and their behaviors differently because I understood that they could be internally struggling with mental health. I stopped judging and commenting on people's behaviors. I self-analyzed the different situations and started questioning why people acted strangely. Homeless people did not seem so scary anymore. I began to understand others’ perspectives and how mental health can impact an individual. Especially families from low-income communities, who cannot afford to stray from paying bills, buying food, and providing for their entire family. Stumbling across psychology, mental health, and my realizations; I knew clinical psychology was my path to follow. This journey provided me with my niche in life. I believe individuals struggling with mental health should and need the opportunities to become a better version of themselves. They deserve the chance to give back to their communities and future. I have learned that early prevention is the best prevention. Therefore, helping children and adolescents who are struggling with mental health is my greatest aspiration in life. Along with families of Mexican origin who cannot speak the English language. Plus, families struggle to keep the necessary resources for their mental well-being. My career goal is to become the bridge for children, adolescents, Spanish-speaking families, and low-income families in the mental health community by being their number one advocate.

Good mental health is important because it provides individuals with resiliency and a positive outlook on life. Resiliency will allow individuals to overcome negative events in life. Such as experiencing a natural disaster, domestic violence, sexual abuse, physical neglect, a car accident, or losing a loved one. Individuals struggling with psychological issues can have a positive stance in life when help is attained. Allowing ourselves to find things that bring us joy will deter us from leading into depression or anxiety. Depressed individuals tend to think negatively which can lead to negative behaviors. Negative thinking can lead to disastrous deeds that can cause havoc on the individual and their families. Things such as using ineffective coping skills to deal with daily life events. Further, family members can be greatly impacted by the negative mental status of the individual. Individuals who do not seek help for any mental health issue can increase familial discord or physical altercations. Thus, having the tools and techniques that allow us to maintain a healthy mental status is warranted. I believe that all individuals should try their best to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They can maintain a healthy lifestyle via activities that bring them happiness, joy, and peace. There are many different activities, techniques, and coping skills that can be learned to help maintain a healthy mental status. Such as breathing exercises, outdoor activities (swimming, running, and hiking, to name a few), and hobbies. While also seeking the necessary services for any mental health issues. Professionals are ready and available to serve their communities. I maintain my mental wellness via different activities. Some include going for a walk; coloring, drawing, or painting; roller skating; sitting in silence first thing in the morning; watching a Netflix series during the weekend; going to the thrift store with my friend; getting coffee and snacks/bread with my husband; talking on the phone with my sister; and feeding the ducks at the pond, to name a few. My favorite thing to do is color because I love to coordinate the color scheme I want to use. In addition, I like to speak with my counselor about my weeks. My counselor helps me figure out techniques to use if I am struggling with something. Overall, the mental status of an individual is very important, and I support individuals in their journey to find the techniques that work best for them to help maintain a healthy mental status. Karen Bedoya

During my high school years, I was very oblivious about mental health. I had no notion to what it was, what it consisted of, and how to treat it. Mental health was never a topic of interest at home or school, no one ever mentioned it. As proven by those around me, in Mexican origin family's feelings are suppressed and ignored. If you are struggling with anything you resort to any method but mentioning your struggles. These methods can include alcohol, drugs, partying, crying alone, or performing reckless activities. In low-income families feeding your family, paying bills, and providing a home is more important than, mental health. Professional help is not an alternative, nor a luxury approach of dealing with mental health. This brought me great difficulty in learning about or even acknowledging mental health issues. It was not until my first psychology course in community college, I learned about the behavioral and mental health issues individuals encountered. This course was very fascinating and interesting to me, it quickly piqued my interest. While taking the course, it finally hit me, and I understood what my best friend’s brother Tom (not his real name) had experienced all those years ago. Spending time with my friend, I was able to see Tom's different behaviors, which brought stress to his family. Tom separated from his wife, had schizophrenia, struggled with depression, and committed suicide. Tom had medications for schizophrenia and depression, however, not having the necessary resources or a dependable income limited his medication accessibility. After years of struggling to maintain his medication intake, feeling helpless, and dealing with the death of his ex-wife he committed suicide. I never really understood why people committed suicide, why they behaved strangely, or what it all meant. However, after his suicide and the little knowledge I had on mental health, a new picture began to form. It opened my eyes to a whole new life. I finally knew the reasons why people committed suicide. I was able to better sympathize with others. I viewed people and their behaviors differently because I understood that they could be internally struggling with mental health. I stopped judging and commenting on people's behaviors. I self-analyzed the different situations and started questioning why people acted strangely. Homeless people did not seem so scary anymore. I began to understand other’s perspectives and how mental health can impact an individual. Specially families from low-income communities, who cannot afford to stray from paying bills, buying food, and providing for their entire family. Stumbling across psychology, mental health, and my realizations; I knew clinical psychology was my path to follow. This journey provided me with my niche in life. I belief individuals struggling with mental health, should and need the opportunities to become a better version of themselves. They deserve the chance to give back to their communities and future. I have learned that early prevention is the best prevention. Therefore, helping children and adolescents who are struggling with mental health is my greatest aspiration in life. Along with families of Mexican origin who cannot speak the English language. Plus, families who struggle to keep the necessary resources for their mental wellbeing. My career goal is to become the bridge for children, adolescents, Spanish speaking families, and low-income families in the mental health community by being their number one advocate.

During my high school years, I was very oblivious about mental health. I had no notion to what it was, what it consisted of, and how to treat it. Mental health was never a topic of interest at home or school, no one ever mentioned it. As proven by those around me, in Mexican origin families feelings are suppressed and ignored. If you are struggling with anything you resort to any method but mentioning your struggles. These methods can include alcohol, drugs, partying, crying alone, or performing reckless activities. In low-income families feeding your family, paying bills, and providing a home is more important than, mental health. Professional help is not an alternative, nor a luxury approach of dealing with mental health. This brought me great difficulty in learning about or even acknowledging mental health issues. It was not until my first psychology course in community college, I learned about the behavioral and mental health issues individuals encountered. This course was very fascinating and interesting to me, it quickly piqued my interest. While taking the course, it finally hit me, and I understood what my best friend’s brother Tom (not his real name) had experienced all those years ago. Spending time with my friend, I was able to see Tom's different behaviors, which brought stress to his family. Tom separated from his wife, had schizophrenia, struggled with depression, and committed suicide. Tom had medications for schizophrenia and depression, however, not having the necessary resources or a dependable income limited his medication accessibility. After years of struggling to maintain his medication intake, feeling helpless, and dealing with the death of his ex-wife he committed suicide. I never really understood why people committed suicide, why they behaved strangely, or what it all meant. However, after his suicide and the little knowledge I had on mental health, a new picture began to form. It opened my eyes to a whole new life. I finally knew the reasons why people committed suicide. I was able to better sympathize with others. I viewed people and their behaviors differently because I understood that they could be internally struggling with mental health. I stopped judging and commenting on people's behaviors. I self-analyzed the different situations and started questioning why people acted strangely. Homeless people did not seem so scary anymore. I began to understand other’s perspectives and how mental health can impact an individual. Specially families from low-income communities, who cannot afford to stray from paying bills, buying food, and providing for their entire family. Stumbling across psychology, mental health, and my realizations; I knew clinical psychology was my path to follow. This journey provided me with my niche in life. I belief individuals struggling with mental health, should and need the opportunities to become a better version of themselves. They deserve the chance to give back to their communities and future. I have learned that early prevention is the best prevention. Therefore, helping children and adolescents who are struggling with mental health is my greatest aspiration in life. Along with families of Mexican origin who cannot speak the English language. Plus, families who struggle to keep the necessary resources for their mental wellbeing. My career goal is to become the bridge for children, adolescents, Spanish speaking families, and low-income families in the mental health community by being their number one advocate.