Therapy isn't an option for everyone. Stressors are a pervasive struggle that many people must face, especially low-income students like me. For a long time, mental health felt like an abstract concept, a luxury I couldn't afford. It took me a while, through trial and error, to truly grasp its importance and how to prioritize it. Looking back, I often neglected myself, putting academic pressures and financial worries first. But with each challenge, I've grown, becoming the more resilient person I am today. A few years ago, the world unraveled. Schools shut down, and reports of a new global pandemic, the "Corona Virus," spread almost rapidly. I initially brushed it off as a break. March 13th was the promised reopening date, but things only worsened. Grocery stores were emptied, and six-foot social distancing stickers became a common sight. I met new faces, but only their eyes were visible, their voices becoming their defining feature. Covid locked me into isolation. Covid cut off all social interaction. I missed my friends, I missed my school, and the freedom I once had, with no end in sight. My daily routine became even more depressing: online classes, dinner, then going back to my room. I found myself taking naps out of pure somber. One day, I put on a YouTube video about nature, which sparked an inspiration in me to go outside. As I took a walk, my mood improved almost instantly. The fresh air, sunlight, and sounds of the neighborhood began to lift the heavy cloud. I realized trapping myself indoors, disconnected from nature, was harming my mental health. These walks became my lifeline, giving my life a much-needed sense of purpose. This period of self-reflection led to a critical realization: my constant napping and withdrawal weren't normal; my actions were hindering my well-being. This encouraged me to research other ways to improve my mental health. I discovered that small, meaningful interactions and, surprisingly, volunteering made me feel genuinely wholesome and connected. Contributing to something larger provided a fulfillment that walks alone couldn't. Today, I'm profoundly thankful for that challenging period. It revealed what poor mental health looks like and how it can break someone down. I'm glad that I learned, firsthand, that prioritizing my mental health is fundamental to a life worth living. With this new self-awareness and wisdom, I feel a powerful drive to advocate for others struggling. I like to share to my friends the methods that helped me, offering them strategies and, more importantly, hope. This desire led me to join my school's Sources of Strength program which is a group that advocates for mental health. I believe that I can make a tangible difference within my peers and community, creating an environment where mental well-being is openly discussed and supported. As a student that faces many difficulties, it's not always easy, but it is always vital to remember to prioritize your own mental well-being.

Coming from a lower-income immigrant family, life has not always been an easy excursion. My mother is an African American woman, and my father is a Haitian-born immigrant. They met around 23 years ago and brought me into this world on March 4th, 2008. I consider myself very grateful, and they’ve done the best they could for me all my life. I was born and raised in New Bedford, MA, on the Gulf of Cape Cod. I would ride my bike to school daily, starting on the first day of 6th grade. It was a very pleasant view, being on the coast of course. I’d get to feel the salty air glaze my skin and listen to the beach waves crash onto the rocks and sand. Riding my bike and getting to school was a very memorable experience; however, when I registered that other kids get the privilege of their parents taking them to school, it made me reflect on my own life experiences. At a young age, I was never fully aware of what money was and its true value. Shortly, I learned that money was hard to get, it didn’t come in a day. My parents were required to go to work for hours on end, leaving me to be independent at such a young age. They had several responsibilities that needed to be fulfilled, including buying groceries and paying the monthly mortgage, and school fees. Biking was greatly entertaining, but each day after this comprehension, it became less enjoyable. With each pedal, I reflect and ask why I couldn’t have the daily talks with my parents as my friends did. As I watched cars pass by, it reminded me of the cruel reality of my family’s financial situation. My parents were too busy to take me to school because they had overriding priorities; as a child, it’s hard to wrap one’s mind around such a concept. What I can take from my financial burdens is that I may not have it the best, but taking what’s available is a notable blessing. This experience was an essential lesson, advancing my thoughts into a deeper reality, and revealing the struggles my parents went through to provide for their own. Taking this and a grain of salt, I can apply this to my everyday life. Moving forward, I have never judged someone who hasn’t been deemed “lame”, because not everyone has an easy life. In the same way, while riding my bike, I can associate it with a positive enlightenment: never judge a book by its cover.