I think a practical solution is first to destigmatize it because mental health, in general, has been forced to associate itself with negative connotations, and even though there has been a positive shift over the years, there is still work that needs to be done. The media, for example, sometimes portray mental health in a bad light, especially in works of fiction, like movies and tv shows; it even occurs in books too. In recent years, mental illness in films has slowly changed by showing a diverse range of characters having anxiety, schizophrenia, and other mental illnesses. It's important to destigmatize mental health because people are sometimes afraid to get help due to their background or the stigma they have seen in films or from the people closest. It's even more challenging for people of color when they see that mental illness is not talked about and that mental illness is made fun of by their friends and family. It can even depend on a person's culture with how mental illness is perceived in their own culture. In some Latinx households, it's common not to talk about problems with strangers, and all therapists care about is money; religious factors can also play into it. Having workshops and open discussions about mental illness will help people learn more about mental health that can affect people from different backgrounds. It doesn't just target a specific type of group. It can even help if these discussions are brought into schools where youths can learn to support someone they know who has a mental illness and teach them that reaching out for help doesn't make them weak.

Having a favorite book is the hardest because, as a bookworm, there are different types of books I love due to various reasons and depending on the genre of the book. It is difficult to dictate which book is my favorite with how many I have read over the years, but a current favorite is Percy Jackson and The Lightning Theif. I was first introduced to the book when I was in the 4th grade by my teacher reading it to the class; then, I convinced my parents to buy it for me, and from then on, I slowly bought the rest of the books. I have reread this book for years, and it remains one of my childhood favorites for how it handles greek mythology and the hilarious interactions between Percy, Annabeth, and Grover. I do not reread books often, even when I have enjoyed them, but The Lightning Thief is a comfort read that brings me solace and nostalgia from the first time I was introduced to it. The characters in the book taught me never to give up even when the odds are against you and to forge your destiny despite what people might assume about you. Also, the way Rick Riordan interacts with the fans and brings diverse characters into the series makes me continue to read the book, even if it has minor flaws.

The education system has allowed me to broaden my view of people from different backgrounds. I've attended workshops learning how the college experience is different for either wealthy or low-income people. Still, it's's been interesting to listen to their personal stories of how they got through college and how it has impacted their lives. I have joined TRIOS, DSPS, Honors, and Queer Initiative Scholars (QI Scholars) programs. In these programs, I have met parents, recent high school graduates, and people returning to school. It shaped my view that people in college all have unique reasons for being there, and when someone drops out, it's best not to judge because, more than likely, something is going on in their lives that needs their attention. College is a unique and challenging experience, but it's one I have zero regrets about because of the fantastic people I have met along the way. My school's support has been astonishing, knowing that I had counselors helping me, professors giving me advice, and tutors who assisted me in passing my class. My worldview continues to be shaped by education, and as long as I meet people from different backgrounds, it will continue to mold and change over time.