Across the world, millions are affected by mental health issues. Of those millions, how many are able to access and afford help? How many are supported by loved ones in this decision? The fight to combat mental health issues isn't easy, but it can feel like a distant dream when the services are expensive and our community doesn't advocate for our health. In Asian communities, mental health is often considered a taboo--an "excuse" to be different. Because mental health is an internal battle, family members frequently invalidate the struggles the younger generation experience. This constant invalidation, however, causes far more problems. This invalidation nearly costed my life, throwing me into a loop of bottling my emotions and denying the existence of any mental health issues. By the time 2022 came around, I hit my breaking point. Fortunately, I came out alive. After this experience with suicide, I gained the clarity needed to tackle my situation seriously. I recognized I wasn't happy casting aside my issues, that I needed to be proactive if I had any desire to get better. I took time off college, focused on myself, found an awesome therapist, and connected deeply with my friends. It was much needed year to myself. Although my family seemed supportive of my decisions, it didn't come without its judgement and criticism. I was constantly questioned about my plans for the future, about whether I would return to school. Furthermore, my family were convinced I was influenced by others to make this choice. Although it hurt to not have their understanding, I prioritized the relationships that did have best interests at heart. Through my own struggles with mental health, I was able to strengthen my connections with friends and boyfriend. Just as I confided in them, they were able to find a comfortable spot within me. From my experiences with mental health and familial invalidation, I will take the steps to create an inclusive mental health field that can and will consider the unique circumstances of each of its clients. As a future mental health professional, having someone that represents you can be the biggest difference. The more we see people like us, the more confident we become in ourselves and the opportunities waiting for us. My mental health struggles have changed the way I view and understand the world. Everyday, we interact with others who have struggles of their own. We will never understand what someone is going through, so spreading kindness and understanding should be our priority. Furthermore, I understand that there are many in the same shoes as me--that I don't need to feel ashamed or alone in this fight. Mental health is often an invisible fight, but it doesn't make our experiences any less valid. While society has accepted mental health with greater understanding, there's still much work to be done. By making a conscious effort to be kind, to be considerate, the world can become a far better place for all sorts of people.

Prioritizing our mental health is essential for life. Many of us may have grown up in households and environments where mental health was unaddressed or considered taboo. This upbringing has caused many of us to live with untreated mental health issues and countless people to continue bearing the weight of generational traumas. However, it is our duty, especially with the advancements in mental health care and research, that we address our issues. Firstly, taking care of our mental health teaches us an important lesson: how to care for ourselves. We are taught the practical and physical ways to take care of ourselves, but how often do we stop to think about our mental well-being and how to prioritize it? Mental health struggles are an opportunity to learn advocacy, especially for ourselves and those who are unable to. Furthermore, mental health is important as it helps us sympathize with others. When we put ourselves in people's shoes and understand they might be going through challenges in their lives, we can learn to be more compassionate and spread kindness. It additionally allows us to create and foster an environment where people can confide in others without fear of judgement or shame. Additionally, mental health is important for maintaining our physical health. Without a balance in our mental health, our physical health can be compromised. Poor mental health can lead to issues like insomnia, weight gain, digestive issues, and much more. These reasons are why mental health is important and why we must put deep care and consideration towards it. To maintain my mental wellness, I have taken the necessary steps to address them. I confided more deeply in my friends and loved ones. While it's challenging for me to open up about my feelings, utilizing the support systems present in my life will help me address these issues more clearly. Similarly, I have found therapy and a therapist who works with me through my challenges and goals. Overall, mental health is essential for life. Good mental health can improve physical health, help us advocate for our health, and help us understand others. While taking the first step can be scary and unknown, it's best to cast aside our fears and prioritize ourselves. We cannot take care of others, our endeavors, or aspirations without first considering the things that will improve our chances of success. With good mental health comes the backing to success in our careers or future fields, too.

In 2022, I faced the biggest challenge of my life: mental health issues. Up until this point, I had convinced myself that help wasn't necessary. I believed my symptoms were not severe, that my problems or reasons for having mental health issues weren't "valid" enough. The once strong-willed and dismissive mindset I had instantly crumbled at the weight of my responsibilities and unaddressed mental health struggles. In 2022, I had tried to end my life. It's not a decision I'm proud of, but I will not be ashamed of it. The moment I woke up after my attempt, I realized just how fortunate I was to still be alive. To be given a chance to fix things, especially for myself and my mental health. Several weeks later, I left school, continued to work, and quietly nursed my health as best as I knew. It was an especially fragile year I took off, but it was crucial despite the setbacks and criticism I faced for this choice. During this time, I realized many things about myself and how I was coping. The coping mechanisms I thought were helpful were inappropriate and insufficient for the extent of my problems. Additionally, I understood the weight of my decision. Trying to end my life was a choice that would've affected everyone in my life. Family, friends, co-workers, all would've been devastated. To combat the challenges that come with mental health issues and struggles, I confide deeply in friends and loved ones. If I trust them enough, I speak with family members, too. Understanding and utilizing the support systems present in my life teaches me that I don't have to do it by myself. Furthermore, it helps establish an environment where anyone, in need, can also confide in me. Many people may have relationships and families where mental health challenges are not openly identified or spoken about, but creating and establishing that first step can make a huge difference. While fostering this environment, I have also taken the steps to find a therapist and therapy that works for my needs. As I navigate my own mental health journey, I will encourage others to voice their concerns and to seek their own journeys. Taking the first step is frightening, but living in your fears will not free you. You might feel that putting off your concerns or worries is for the better, but your mental health cannot wait. Take my experience as a learning opportunity and advocate for yourself.

When it comes to my mental health, my journey has never been and still isn't easy. Recognizing and accepting that you have mental health issues is scary. As someone who previously thought very little of mental health and undermined it, it felt humbling and terrifying to suddenly experience similar thoughts, similar emotions, and similar symptoms as those I loved. I always thought I was resilient, strong-willed, and steadfast despite all the troubles of my life. However, I failed to account for how weak, soft, and sensitive I was on the inside. In the end, I succumbed to developing and struggling with mental health issues. After struggling for so long, I found myself deeply emphasizing with those who struggle with mental health. I finally understood why everything was harder for them, why they couldn't function, why they couldn't do "normal" things, and just how harsh everyone else was. Those who don't struggle with mental health issues would never understand what it's like, thus leading to their stubborn and harsh comments. People don't understand that it's not as simple as getting up and taking care of the things you need to. As for my relationships, I believe that struggling with mental health and being open about it has allowed me to develop much more intimate bonds with others. I have friends who confide in me just as I confide in them. In addition, I recognize what mental health can do to people. I see how they are, how they isolate themselves, and I try to reach out to them to let them know I'm here. It's one of my goals that I am there for those I love. About my goals, I always strive to be there for people. In college and career, I plan to make a difference by creating more diversity in the field. The Asian community is not nearly represented enough, especially when it comes to mental health issues and assistance. In fact, many of these individuals do not seek the help they need. Not seeking help harms them and hurts others in the process, creating traumas that let a generation. I want to build a bridge towards this community, allowing more comfort and diversity to exist in the ever growing field of psychology.

Mental health concerns were abundantly present my entire life. From family members to other relatives, it always surrounded me even from a young age. As I aged, mental health problems began to plague my closest friends. And then, I slowly began to experience the same emotions and same thoughts at them. Thoughts and emotions I thought I would never develop, let alone struggle with so deeply. I used to be indifferent and inconsiderate to those with mental health issues. In fact, I brushed off those who came forward with their stories of mental instability or mental health concerns. I'd find myself disgusted when finding out that some people's conditions could get so bad that they neglect their health and their responsibilities. I'd tell myself, "Wow. I'd never let myself get to that state." This was incredibly immature, but also highlighted my lack of understanding, sympathy, and experience in life. However, this all changed when I began to experience mental health issues. I was about fourteen when someone who "cared" about me had completely ruined my life. It seemed like no matter what I did, I could not ease their suffering or convince them to get better. That was when I realized that someone could be so comfortable in their mental illness. In addition, I learned the harsh lesson that some people cannot be saved. In the end, we must advocate for ourselves to get better. My experiences with mental health have changed my beliefs about the subject as a whole. I went from ignorance to emphasizing with those who struggle with it. I now advocate for my family and friends who are struggling with their mental health, always validating their feelings and encouraging them to seek assistance. I've also become more educated about mental health, especially as we cannot generalize everyone and their symptoms. Every person's mental health journey is unique and the type of help they need will vary based on their needs, traumas, and their goals. As for my relationships, I think that mental health has strengthened the bonds I have. Whether platonic or romantic, I find that being open and honest about mental health has brought me and that person closer. The ability and opportunity to deepen a connection through something as fragile as mental health is something I'll never take for granted. The trust that comes with sharing such difficult emotions, thoughts, and stories is something we cannot take lightly. Lastly, struggling with my mental health has only highlighted my care and interest for mental health causes as a whole. As someone who took a year off college due to mental health struggles, I knew better than anyone else that the pressure really gets the best of us. Making the switch from being a nursing student to a psychology student was not a decision I thought I'd make, but I don't regret it. In fact, psychology seems to be the more suitable program and field for me. I'd love to create a more diverse field by allowing and bringing in more Asian individuals into the field, but to also seek help. Many Asian individuals do not get the help they need because of shame and fear. I'd like to tackle that bridge, stabilizing it and nurturing it to the best of my ability. We must work together to create a support system that welcomes and assists everyone, regardless of origin or background.

I've been into K-POP since I was around nine years old. Now, I'm set to turn twenty-one years old in just a month. I have seen many artists come and go, some I loved, others I never recognized. In my many years of being a K-POP fan, there a very few artists these days who catch my eye. I tend to stick to groups or artists I'm already familiar with, but in the rare chance that a new group catches my attention, it's almost magical--almost unexpected. In the summer of 2022, NewJeans caught my attention. With the lack of a debut teaser or announcements, the group came out of no where and immediately exploded with popularity. NewJeans was playful, charming, and easily one of the best acts of their generation. With their refreshing and "easy on the ears" music, it seemed explainable why they grew so large in such a short period of time. I wasn't expecting to get into them, let alone love another group as deeply as I grew to love them. NewJeans has become one of the biggest acts of K-POP, and rightfully so. With killer title tracks like "OMG", "Ditto", and "Hype Boy", they have established their place and rooting in the industry. Their music inspires others to sing along, but also to dance their chorography. Their chorography is playful and not overly complicated, making it accessible for people of all ages and backgrounds. Having good music and chorography that resonates with people should be the utmost importance for K-POP artists or groups. In fact, I'd say that many groups or artists are successful because of following these two principles. NewJeans is contributing to the global stage and the world because of their ability to speak English. In my experience as a fan, the lack of a shared language can make it difficult to connect with the artist or idols behind the music. The fact that all of them, some at greater capacity, speak English gives them a better footing in the process. They're also able to connect with Western fans more and have an entire market open to accepting them. This accomplishment is best seen with their set at Lollapalooza. In conclusion, NewJeans is a group that no one should undermine or underestimate. They have continued to keep and grow a loyal following that will stay with them for years to come. With their refreshing music, interesting characters, and ability to speak English, they are on track to becoming much bigger than they already are.

Many people's mental health directly impacts their ability to perform academically and succeed in personal life. I'm no exception to this sentiment. As someone who faces mental health issues and had to temporarily halt my education for the sake of it, I understand better than anyone else why taking care of it is vital. When my mental health is in a poor state, my academics suffer immensely. I fall behind, try to finish as fast as possible, and heavily criticize myself. In addition, the negativity increases and I feel worse about myself in the process. When I'm at my lowest, it feels impossible for me to think and view myself positively. Similarly, my mental health issues impact my ability to be present and active in my personal life. This includes friendships, other relationships, and other responsibilities I have. I put up a front of having things under control despite feeling like I'm about to lose it all. I may distance myself from those I love, afraid to express how I actually feel and afraid to burden them more. I isolate myself and refuse to hangout with family and friends even when invited, not wanting to dim their moods or the livelihood of the event. I become too familiar with the thoughts in my head, entertaining them instead of my personal life. To combat my mental health challenges, I have actively stopped feeding into these feelings and emotions. It's difficult, but I know I have to stop in order to have a chance at healing and finding security in myself. I also placed more trust in my closest friends, cousins, and boyfriend about my feelings. Understanding that I can confide in others about how I feel was so difficult, so worrying, but also liberating. In addition, I have recently started therapy. For a long time I believed I didn't need the help, but I know that reaching for help is not something I should be ashamed of. In fact, it's a sign of strength more than anything. It's a sign that you recognize a wrong and want to make a right. While I know the battle with mental health is not a linear process, it is doable if the appropriate effort is put in. I have seen and been through enough challenges to understand how frustrating, how painful, yet rewarding putting yourself and your mental health is. The will to take the first step is what matters. Without the courage, strength, patience, and will, we cannot and will not get better. No matter what, no matter who calls you selfish, you will always matter first.

A time where I faced and dealt with adversity was the beginning of my sophomore year in college. It was September 2022, a new semester filled with new courses and new expectations. At the time, I was a nursing major. I fully, wholeheartedly, believed that this degree and this program was my calling in life. Despite believing in that sentiment, I knew deep down that the foundations were unstable and rocky. I was riddled with doubt and worry about how, if, or when I could keep this act up. I was slowly falling into a depression, wondering if my decision to choose nursing really was what I wanted to do with my life. The foundations that were already shaking had finally spilt and broken down. On September 30th, a day before my last clinical trial, I attempted to end my own life. Every emotion and every stressor was present that evening. My heart was heavy, and I recall looking at my newborn sister with regret and feeling apologetic for failing her. I felt I had failed everyone, especially failed myself. I was not proud of what I had achieved, I always thought I could do more or do better. In the end, even after the attempt, I'm alive. It wasn't until a month after my attempt that I recognized I needed help. I had gone on for so long, leaving my mental health unchecked and pushing through with pure grit that I convinced myself I didn't need it. However, the attempt opened my eyes. It was around this time that I met my boyfriend, whom I opened up to about my struggles with mental health. It was him that pushed me to advocate for my health and to take a break from college. Without him, I'm not sure if I'd be here today. I was especially fragile the months after my formal leave of absence. My parents were not the most supportive of the idea, asking me to hold out for just a little longer and to take a break once the semester concluded. However, I stood my ground and made sure they understood my intentions. In the year I took off from school, I found peace in myself, entered a better mental state, fostered and maintained positive relationships, and found my true calling in life: psychology. Overcoming my fears and doubts was no easy task. It took lots of crying, resilience, grit, and patience to come to terms with how things have played out. I believe that things happen for a reason, whether to guide us or teach us lessons, and this situation proved just that. Leaving the nursing program was the best thing I did for myself. Now I, wholeheartedly, know this is my calling in life and I'm living my truth. There is nothing more important than staying true to yourself and living up to it.

When I turned eighteen, my parents instilled into me that I must find work and attend college at the same time. It seemed daunting to the then eighteen year old me, suddenly asked to take on more responsibility than I was currently used to. However, I knew that this was the path I was eventually going to pursue. I could not attend college without obtaining some taste of work experience or the satisfaction of having my own money. So, despite my worries, I went out of my way and I pursued both at the same time. Now, I'm reaching twenty-one and still work and attend school. Handling the burden of work and school life is not easy, especially as both are vital for educational and career growth in the future. Without work, you cannot gain experience to advance further in life. Without education, your career paths are limited. Working and attending college has taught me countless things, but the two most important skills are time management and money management. While I've only ever worked a part-time position, it still is challenging navigating the right opportunities to set aside time for course work. Sometimes we can't control how much coursework we have or how much we have to work within a week, but having a clear plan that leads you to success is crucial. I utilize a routine each day, allowing the worry of figuring out your day to be eliminated. In addition, I find writing notes or keeping a checklist to help a lot with completing and delegating tasks within my day. I can easily figure out what I'm able to fit in my day and save everything else for a later date. In terms of money management, working, especially part-time, has taught me the importance of saving and maintaining that money. Compared to full-time workers at my position, I make half of their yearly salary. Even though the amount of money might seem like a lot, it's crucial not to go crazy and blow all the money just because you have it. Thinking about your future and unpredictable circumstances have helped me a lot with being frugal and keeping money in my bank account. What balancing work and school have done is showcased my responsibility and ability to push through. I also showed dedication to committing to two important aspects of professional growth. Pursuing an education and completing it demonstrates your willingness to learn and dedicate yourself to further heights. On the other hand, working demonstrates your drive to push yourself and advance your standing in your current and future careers. Education and working go hand in hand. In conclusion, working and balancing school is not an easy task. In fact, it's why many people only decide to focus on one or the other. However, being able to handle both is a sign of a responsible, mature, successful, and prepared individual. Our education and work experience play such a vital part in where we end up, how we move up, and if we experience great success in our career and lives. Therefore, it's important that everyone allows themselves the opportunity to experience both and strive in each.

Hello to all who are reading this, My name’s Kayla. I am currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Psychology under Herzing University. My financial situation, while not as dire as others, still greatly impacts my education. As I progress further into my education, I’ve found myself stuck at a roadblock. I originally pursued nursing from September 2021 through October 2022, but after struggling with my mental health and a suicide attempt, I recognized that I needed to change. That was when I made the transition to pursue psychology instead. During my time as a nursing major, I accumulated over $9,000 in debt. I took out loans that I did not think I would have to, but unfortunately even with grants from state and the government it’s not enough to fund my education. While I’m fortunate to have my parents assisting with tuition payments, I do desire to graduate with as little debt as possible. I also wish to pay them back and extend my gratitude towards them. Receiving a scholarship will help me pursue my dream of building bridges in mental health circumstances. Within the Asian community specifically, there is little to no representation about mental health issues as the topic is stigmatized. As a result, many Asian individuals do not seek the help or assistance they need. They struggle for years, left unchecked by anyone, and it takes a toll on their family and generations after them. I specifically hope to address this issue, especially because I understand fully the experience of mental health stigmatization and how it impacted me. The more we’re able to bring awareness to mental health while bringing down the stigma, the more we decrease generational trauma and failures to combat mental health issues. Being able to build and uncover that bridge, specifically in Asian communities, will create a more positive society that acknowledges and supports mental health issues and awareness. Asian individuals are statistically less likely than others to seek or reach for help. Asian communities are often cast aside, taking the “minority model” role without wanting to, which results in our struggles being terribly undermined and underrepresented. Mental health is important for every background, but is especially important to me as someone who is Asian and struggles with mental health. To conclude, this scholarship would mean the world to me and my ambitions. I know I have much to offer to the world, I just need to be given the opportunity to showcase it. Thank you for reading my essay and my thoughts.

As a college student and someone who graduated high school during the pandemic, I have seen my fair share of mental health struggles amongst myself and my peers. Navigating mental health issues is never an easy task, but having good support systems and utilizing all the sources you’re able to are crucial to improved health overall. In my own life, I have great friends and a wonderful boyfriend who give me the support I need. I also utilize therapy as a means of supporting myself, too. The first step towards creating a positive impact is to spread and embrace positivity. Utilizing the power of positive psychology will teach you how to extend kindness, understanding, and compassion to others, but also yourself. It’s easy to be kind to others, but not so easy to be kind to ourselves. Without creating and nurturing the environment for positivity to thrive and function, it’s impossible for people to improve and grow. The next step towards creating a positive impact is direct involvement. What I mean by direct involvement is, advocating for mental health awareness and resources at school, at home, and other communities you belong to. Be an advocate for yourself, family, and friends. We don’t know how powerful our voices truly are until we find the courage to use them. Without multiple voices calling for further awareness, intervention, and attention, many people will continue to suffer in silence and not seek the help they need. Lastly, and the most important in my opinion, in order to create a positive impact, is to take care of yourself. We may exhaust ourselves with the emotions and concerns of others, all the while forgetting and neglecting our own health. I especially forgot to take care of myself, which resulted in a mental health crisis and a suicide attempt back in 2022. To combat my mental health and its symptoms, I focused on myself by taking a year off college, keeping my peace mentally and physically, and only focusing on relationships that were important and healthy for me. And as I mentioned above, I use therapy as extra guidance on my journey to healing and becoming healthier. To summarize, creating a positive impact consists of three main ideas: spread positivity, direct involvement, and self-care. There are plenty of other factors that contribute to positive impacts, but these are the ones I feel are the most beneficial and vital for sustaining it.

My name is Kayla, I'm a first generation Hmong college student who is currently pursuing psychology. Outside of being a full time student, I work part time and I look after my 18 month old sister. Balancing all of this isn't easy, it wasn't ever intended to be, but I make it work with the power of discipline and pure grit. My career goals are still a work in progress, quite frankly. However, I know my heart's set on pursuing the path towards Health Psychology. Health Psychology is such an interesting field, especially because it's a field where we understand how behavior and psychological factors contribute to health, healthcare, and the development of illnesses. Understanding what external factors may be affecting our health and our potential to developing illness is vital. Without it, we cannot expect people to become better or have the desire to become better, either. I believe I deserve this scholarship as I've continuously worked hard on achieving and maintaining academic success throughout the years I've attended college. Just last semester, I was given honors for my university's President List and I'm currently on track to do so this semester, too. Continued strive for academic success is not easy, especially while managing personal affairs. With the addition of pursuing my psychology degree online, this proves to be a challenge of its own too. This scholarship would assist in funding my education and prove that I'm capable of winning a scholarship. The reason I chose psychology is quite a story. Frankly, this was not the original path I had chosen. I was a nursing major from September 2021 through October 2022, but I quickly realized the path was not for me. After struggling through a mental health crisis and a suicide attempt, I knew I needed an exit--something, a degree or program that truly resonated with my purpose and calling in life. I always had a passion for psychology, but I never thought I'd want to pursue it because of the misconceptions I had heard. Now, I know with certainty that this is the appropriate path for me and the goals I wish to achieve. I will never undermine the importance of nursing and what I learned in those courses, but psychology is my calling and my truth. It is a field I know I belong in and can bring change to, so I hope I am given the opportunities to showcase my worth and my compassion into my career and every person I meet.