Time and time again, even when reading the description of this scholarship, I see and hear of so many people going through the sad struggle of juggling their own mental health. As someone who comes from a family of extreme mental illness and suffers from it herself, I feel almost a personal responsibility to dedicate my continued education to really understanding the root of mental diseases. While it sure is an emotional roller-coaster, trying to handle ones own health and still care for the health of others, it is honestly something that keeps me going and pushes me to give every opportunity its all. Being this dedicated to the mental health field is almost like having a child's dream poster, I see every step I am hoping to take and trying to plan it to perfection. I want the stigma of mental health to become clearer, so those who don't have it, have a better understanding of why and sometimes even how it forms. Through that step, we work our way to making mental health care more accessible, because most of those suffering feel as if they are suffering alone, and most of the time, that is the case. And from there, changing the overall conditions of the way those receiving treatment are treated. There are so many cases of mistreatment or under-welling care, from those who needed the absolute most care and understanding. So while this poster-dream seems very childish and unrealistic, with better fine-tuning and even my own support system, I hope to make it a reality to those everywhere in need of it. I am so tired of sitting on my hands, watching from the sidelines as simple solutions for these problems are made so much more complex then they need to be. I want to be front and center when it comes to the continued and new-coming plans for treating those with mental health illnesses, and the only way I can do that, is by taking it one day at a time and trying to get help to further my own education. And with that, I thank you for taking the time to review and read my essay. It was great to write about my passion for the topic, and honestly, writing about it each time helps the flame inside grow brighter and reminds me why I am doing this in the first place! Thank you again, Keemaya Justice-Dunson.

Hello! I first want to thank you for taking the time to review my essay, and learn a bit about me and why I decided to apply today. It is known that overcoming obstacles is something everyone goes through in their lifetime, but their is no doubt that some have more added stressors than others. Being part of a statistic that paints black people as just poor and lazy is something I want to change for myself as well as my community. So as I write this essay, although in the midst of health complications and homelessness, I still have extreme hope in my own future and what I'll be able to do for myself, my family, and my community. I want to pursue an associates in biology so I can continue onto a university to keep my studies in genetics. There are some many known diseases that have yet to be treated, and I know with my drive and passion for the subject, I can definitely make some amazing discoveries. But why specifically genetics? Well I have always wanted to help people and better the health field as we know it, but being a hands-on doctor was too much for my vasovagal syncope (sensitivity to the sight of blood). But helping those was and is a true passion of mine, so after surveying quite hundreds of medical- related careers fields, genetics just seem to be the best fit, so after getting to know the subject much more I grew such a love for it that can't be replaced. So I pray that I will get the privilege of continuing to study this fascinating field, and use my knowledge to do more good in this world. We definitely need it right now, and for the years to come! Thank you again, Keemaya Justice-Dunson.