If awarded this scholarship, it would help me meet my educational goals by providing the stability and time I need to remain fully enrolled, maintain academic excellence, and continue building the professional foundation required for graduate school and long-term service in the mental health field. I am currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree in forensic psychology at Grand Canyon University while financially supporting myself. I am proud of the progress reflected in my transcript, but my journey has taught me that success is not only about motivation, it is also about access, consistency, and having the resources to stay focused when life becomes demanding. My motivation for this work comes from lived experience. As a teenager in Colorado, I faced trauma and later struggled with addiction and mental health challenges that followed me into early adulthood. When I entered college, the effects of trauma were impossible to ignore. I was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, and depression, and therapy became the first place where I could speak openly about what I had survived. Like many students, I was learning independence and adjusting to academic expectations, but I was also trying to function while processing experiences that had fundamentally changed my sense of safety and self-worth. Early on, I failed classes, and I carried so much shame that I tried to hide my struggles instead of reaching for help. That chapter taught me a lifelong lesson: educational goals are not reached through willpower alone. Students succeed when they have stable support systems, mental health resources, and enough financial security to prioritize school. I also learned how quickly stability can disappear when education and treatment become intertwined with finances. When school becomes unaffordable or when students are forced to work excessive hours to survive, they not only lose academic momentum, they often lose routines and supports that keep them grounded. This is why financial assistance is not simply helpful for me; it is protective. A scholarship would ease the financial pressure that can pull students away from their goals and allow me to invest my energy where it matters most: learning, growing, and preparing for the next level of training. Practically, this scholarship would help cover tuition and academic expenses and reduce the number of work hours I must take on while in school. That time is critical. It would allow me to remain focused on strong academic performance, engage more deeply in research-informed learning, and continue pursuing leadership and service opportunities that strengthen my preparation for graduate education. I want to fully engage in the opportunities available at GCU without being forced to choose between academic success and basic financial stability. My long-term goal is to pursue graduate training in neuropsychology and help develop a rehabilitative, compassionate model of inpatient mental health care for individuals with neurodegenerative brain diseases and disorders. I want to contribute to treatment approaches that include effective behavior plans, coping tools, and life-coaching strategies that improve daily functioning and quality of life. Ultimately, I plan to create a clinic rooted in dignity and hope, especially for people who feel defined by their diagnoses, their past, or the worst moments of their lives! This scholarship would be more than financial support; it would be an investment in my ability to remain consistent, complete my degree on track, and move confidently toward advanced training. With that support, I can focus less on financial survival and more on becoming the clinician and advocate I am working to be; someone equipped to serve others with competence, compassion, and lasting impact.

I am a BIPOC woman whose commitment to mental health work was built through lived experience with trauma, substance use, and recovery, and through the decision to turn survival into service. I grew up in Colorado and, as a young teenager, I was exposed to dangerous environments that led me into harmful choices and serious trauma. Those experiences altered the trajectory of my life, but they also gave me a lasting understanding of what vulnerable people need most: safety, consistency, and care that does not treat them like a “problem” to be managed. When I entered college, I learned quickly that trauma does not stay in the past. I was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, and depression, and therapy became the first space where I could speak honestly about what I had been carrying. Trying to function as a new college student while processing that reality was overwhelming. I failed classes early on, and I felt so ashamed that I tried to hide my struggles instead of asking for support. Looking back, that period shaped one of my core beliefs: academic performance is often treated as a measure of character, when it can actually be a reflection of unmet mental health needs, instability, and the absence of trauma-informed support. As I continued my journey, I received additional diagnoses and learned how quickly progress can unravel when treatment is inconsistent or inaccessible, especially when care is tied to enrollment status, finances, or unstable life circumstances. These barriers did not just affect my health; they affected my ability to stay in school, maintain stability, and envision a future beyond crisis management. Because of this, my activism is rooted in the idea that mental health services must be accessible, culturally responsive, and grounded in dignity. I believe marginalized communities deserve providers who listen without judgment, understand the intersections of trauma and identity, and address the real-life obstacles that make “getting help” difficult. I plan to make a positive impact within marginalized communities by providing trauma-informed, empowerment-based mental health services that are practical and human. That means helping clients build coping skills, healthy boundaries, and safety plans; collaborating with community resources; and advocating for systems that do not punish people for symptoms of trauma. It also means creating spaces where Black and Brown clients, especially women, can be seen fully, not stereotyped as “strong enough” to suffer silently. My leadership experiences, including serving in the Black Student Union and participating in student support and career development initiatives, strengthened my ability to advocate, organize, and create pathways for others to succeed. Today, I am completing my bachelor’s degree in forensic psychology at Grand Canyon University while financially supporting myself through school. My long-term goal is graduate training in neuropsychology and the creation of a rehabilitative, compassionate model of inpatient mental health care, especially for individuals whose mental health is complicated by neurological conditions. I want to help build treatment environments where people who feel “too damaged” or “too difficult” can receive effective care, respect, and real hope. A scholarship would not only support my education; it would strengthen my capacity to serve. I have learned that healing is possible when people are met with consistency and dignity. My purpose is to become the provider and the advocate who helps make that kind of healing more available for marginalized communities.

My passion for supporting African American women impacted by domestic violence and substance use comes from lived experience and the hard-earned belief that survival should never be the finish line; healing should be. As a teenager in Colorado, I made risky choices, used drugs, and was harmed in ways that changed the course of my life. The trauma I experienced contributed to a long period of addiction and fear, and later affected my mental health in ways I could not simply “outgrow.” When I entered college, I carried PTSD, anxiety, and depression into the classroom. I wanted to succeed, but I struggled, failed courses, and felt deep shame, proof not of a lack of motivation, but of what happens when pain goes untreated and support is inconsistent or inaccessible. Over time, therapy and recovery taught me that needing help is not weakness; it is courage. That lesson became the foundation of my educational goals. My commitment is especially focused on African American women because I have witnessed how often Black women are expected to be strong in silence, how quickly their pain is minimized, and how frequently systems respond with judgment instead of protection. Domestic violence and substance use often intersect through coercion, isolation, and survival coping, and outcomes improve when care is culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and consistent. I rebuilt my life through education, earning my associate’s degree in clinical/counseling psychology with honors, leading in the Black Student Union, and continuing my bachelor’s in forensic psychology at Grand Canyon University. These experiences inspire my commitment to improve outcomes for Black women by expanding access to compassionate treatment, strengthening safety and recovery supports, and advocating for care that honors dignity. My past does not disqualify me from this work; it equips me to do it with empathy, accountability, and purpose.

I deserve this scholarship not only because of the challenges I have faced, but because of the determination and purpose they have given me. I survived abuse in a statutory relationship with someone 14 years my senior, endured homelessness, and coped with profound trauma. Still, I have maintained a 3.5+ GPA across four demanding college semesters. My resilience fuels a vision beyond my own success: I aspire to create a holistic inpatient mental health facility to transform care and recovery. Through every hardship, I have chosen to prioritize my education and my future. I have maintained my standing in the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society while navigating significant personal obstacles, proving that perseverance and commitment can overcome even the most difficult circumstances. These experiences have strengthened my adaptability, sharpened my determination, and reinforced my ability to dream boldly and plan for the future. For these reasons, I believe I am not only deserving of financial support but also a meaningful investment. Giving back to my community is an integral part of who I am, as I have dedicated many hours volunteering with Feed My Starving Children in Mesa, AZ, and coordinated book drives with the South Mountain Community College Black Student Union, of which I was treasurer and then president during my graduating year. I have received generosity during times of severe need, and I feel a deep responsibility to extend that same branch of kindness to others. Volunteering brings me warmth, purpose, and healing; it helps me manage the lasting effects of PTSD, reminding me that compassion can profoundly change lives. My ultimate goal is to improve the mental health care experience in the United States by opening a holistic inpatient treatment facility. This center would provide residents with personalized behavioral and life-development plans tailored to their unique needs. Patients would receive consistent, compassionate care from interdisciplinary teams whose methods are grounded in empirical research and proven therapeutic practices. I want to build a place where healing addresses the whole person—mind, body, and future. To achieve this vision, I must pursue advanced education. I plan to earn at least a master’s degree, and if possible, ultimately strive for a doctorate in Neuropsychology so I can develop the expertise necessary to lead and innovate in the mental health field. However, continuing my education requires financial support. Assistance through this scholarship would help me afford housing, food, trauma-related medications, and the rising costs of tuition and academic expenses. Your investment would not only support my education but also empower me to dedicate my life to helping others heal. Thank you for hearing part of my story.

The person who died by suicide was my uncle and my father’s youngest brother. On the day we found out his death had happened, my family was in a transition for the better. One of my eldest brothers was on his way to Texas, literally in two days, to practice his art professionally, and it was my last day of middle school before the summer leading into my freshman year of high school. My grandmother and grandfather had found their son, and when my grandmother called, she first reached my father, who, fortunately, did not answer as he was at work, but my mother received the next call. She described my grandmother screaming, sobbing into the phone that they killed him, that he was gone- that my uncle was dead and his mother and father had discovered the body. The whole thing was devastating for my father, who I had never seen cry except the one other time my baby brother was born and had almost died in the hospital at his birth. My mother questioned her faith, and I felt immense guilt over my last interaction with my uncle, and deep sadness for my grandparents, who had just been destroyed. The evidence points to suicide, but being a Christian-based family, my grandparents and my parents could never believe it; however, my grandfather and mother now believe in the evidence that the truth is suicide. To this day, it has broken my grandmother into a place where I feel she got sicker quicker in terms of her age-related debilitating sickness, and we cannot even mention my uncle’s name. It breaks me, as I understand all he meant to them- but he was my family too, he meant something to me too, he was my favorite uncle. As I mentioned, I felt guilty about the last interaction my uncle and I had: I cannot remember, but I was mad at him over something very trivial when I was about 13. Near the ending of him visiting my parents, siblings and I at his parents, my grandparents house, I had gotten mad about something I cannot even remember what even pestered me, and I had walked to the backyard of my grandparents’ mad at him, and I as he was leaving I had this urge in the bottom of my stomach, my soul, to say goodbye to him, so I did. I hugged him, I did not say I loved him, still being petty, my regret, and told him goodbye, not knowing that goodbye really was the last one. The aftermath left me questioning my own faith and my own actions leading up to my uncle’s death, so I dealt with the loss a lot through journaling, and finally, I wrote a letter to my uncle that, if I ever got the chance, I would leave at his grave site. Initially and to this day, I cannot bring up my uncle’s name in front of my father or my grandparents, and when I have in relations to just bringing up a good memory in front of my father, he pretends not to have heard it saying “Huh,” and my mother shushes me, staring daggers, signaling to change the topic, and I have to save myself with some irrelevant babbling, which my father pretends to finally hear. However, whatever my family' s grieving processes or the hindrance of it, I learned I had to release what was inside to heal. The letter to my uncle taught me to forgive myself and reflect emotionally and mentally, so I could have a conversation with my inner dialogue to get to what was creating such dissonance in me. I also learned that I need to practice love out loud; my silence was a cage, and for my family, refusing to say his name is a cage. They are trying to protect themselves from falling apart at the mention of his name, but by not allowing him to be present by name, he cannot continue to be integrated into our family story, our history. I realized I should have made love a habit, not a mood, and that expression is sometimes needed when avoidance seems the answer. Writing a letter changed my self-punishment to self-witnessing my grief, facing the truth of what I felt, didn’t know, and would say now. I allowed myself to be human. I will not measure my love for anyone I choose to love, family or friend, by my last imperfect moment, as I choose to honor it by how openly I choose love now.

Despite having to traverse and survive abuse in a statutory relationship with someone 14 years my senior, who not only abused me but also sold heavy, illegal drugs and used these drugs to keep me subdued, surviving homelessness, and profound trauma, I have maintained a 3.5+ GPA across four demanding semesters of college. My resilience, intelligence, and unwavering drive fuel a vision that extends far beyond my own success: I aspire to create a holistic inpatient mental health facility that transforms the way individuals experience care and recovery. Through every hardship, I have chosen to prioritize my education and my future. I have maintained my standing in the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society while navigating significant personal obstacles, proving that perseverance and commitment can overcome even the most difficult circumstances. These experiences have strengthened my adaptability, sharpened my determination, and reinforced my ability to dream boldly and plan for the future. For these reasons, I believe I am not only deserving of financial support but also a meaningful investment. Giving back to my community is an integral part of who I am, as I have dedicated many hours volunteering with Feed My Starving Children in Mesa, AZ, and coordinated book drives with the South Mountain Community College Black Student Union, of which I was treasurer and then president during my graduating year. I have received generosity during times of severe need, and I feel a deep responsibility to extend that same branch of kindness to others. Volunteering brings me warmth, purpose, and healing; it helps me manage the lasting effects of PTSD, reminding me that compassion can profoundly change lives. Aspiring to create a holistic inpatient mental health facility, my ultimate goal is to improve the mental health care experience in the United States by opening a holistic inpatient treatment facility. This center would provide residents with personalized behavioral and life-development plans tailored to their unique needs. Patients would receive consistent, compassionate care from interdisciplinary teams whose methods are grounded in empirical research and proven therapeutic practices. I want to build a place where healing addresses the whole person—mind, body, and future. To achieve such a vision of altruistic entrepreneurship, I must pursue advanced education. I plan to earn at least a master’s degree, and if possible, ultimately strive for a doctorate in Neuropsychology so I can develop the expertise necessary to lead and innovate in the mental health field. However, continuing my education requires financial support. Assistance through this scholarship would help me afford housing, food, trauma-related medications, and the rising costs of tuition and academic expenses. Your investment would not only support my education but also empower me to dedicate my life to helping others heal. Thank you for hearing part of my story.

I believe I deserve this scholarship not only because of the challenges I have faced, but because of the determination and purpose that have grown from them. Despite surviving abuse in a statutory relationship with someone 14 years my senior, who not only abused me but also sold heavy, illegal drugs and used these drugs to keep me subdued, surviving homelessness, and profound trauma, I have maintained a 3.5+ GPA across four demanding semesters of college. My resilience, intelligence, and unwavering drive fuel a vision that extends far beyond my own success: I aspire to create a holistic inpatient mental health facility that transforms the way individuals experience care and recovery. Through every hardship, I have chosen to prioritize my education and my future. I have maintained my standing in the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society while navigating significant personal obstacles, proving that perseverance and commitment can overcome even the most difficult circumstances. These experiences have strengthened my adaptability, sharpened my determination, and reinforced my ability to dream boldly and plan for the future. For these reasons, I believe I am not only deserving of financial support but also a meaningful investment. Giving back to my community is an integral part of who I am, as I have dedicated many hours volunteering with Feed My Starving Children in Mesa, AZ, and coordinated book drives with the South Mountain Community College Black Srudent Unionof which I was treasurer and then president my graduating year. I have received generosity during times of severe need, and I feel a deep responsibility to extend that same branch of kindness to others. Volunteering brings me warmth, purpose, and healing; it helps me manage the lasting effects of PTSD, reminding me that compassion can profoundly change lives. Aspiring to create a holistic inpatient mental health facility, my ultimate goal is to improve the mental health care experience in the United States by opening a holistic inpatient treatment facility. This center would provide residents with personalized behavioral and life-development plans tailored to their unique needs. Patients would receive consistent, compassionate care from interdisciplinary teams whose methods are grounded in empirical research and proven therapeutic practices. I want to build a place where healing addresses the whole person—mind, body, and future. To achieve such a vision of altruistic entrepreneurship, I must pursue advanced education. I plan to earn at least a master’s degree, and if possible, ultimately strive for a doctorate in Neuropsychology so I can develop the expertise necessary to lead and innovate in the mental health field. However, continuing my education requires financial support. Assistance through this scholarship would help me afford housing, food, trauma-related medications, and the rising costs of tuition and academic expenses. Your investment would not only support my education but also empower me to dedicate my life to helping others heal. Thank you for hearing part of my story.

In my overarching vision to make a meaningful and positive impact, I am committed to pursuing a doctorate in neuropsychology to revolutionize inpatient mental health care. I aim to establish a progressive facility offering comprehensive, personalized treatment plans integrating various medical specialties and therapeutic modalities that focus on the patient holistically. Supported by the generous assistance of your memorial fund scholarship, I envision transforming the cognitive functions and behaviors of individuals affected by mental illness, thereby enhancing their quality of life. This mission is deeply personal, resonating with individuals facing similar challenges and those navigating their unique circumstances. I aspire to inspire everyone I encounter, guiding them through their journey at my future mental health facility. Hence, they emerge with newfound confidence in their behaviors, cognitive function, and readiness to inspire others. I wholeheartedly believe allowing people to enhance their quality and functionality of life will contribute to the most significant positive impact on my community. I am actively contributing to a positive impact through volunteer efforts with the Black Student Union at South Mountain Community College, where I serve as treasurer. Black Student Union has gone above and beyond to volunteer with the Gap Academy here in Arizona, offering our time to help supervise and teach children after school. The academy is dedicated to bringing in leaders who can look after children and encourage them to do their work in new, creative, and knowledgeable ways, emphasizing the fun of learning and the imperative need for children to learn such knowledge. Inspiring and impacting children has always been my passion, and I will continue to do so whenever possible. Additionally, I dedicate my time to Feed My Starving Children in Mesa, Arizona. Here, alongside dedicated peers, we assemble nutritious meals fortified with essential vitamins and proteins for children in disadvantaged regions worldwide. The collaborative spirit and shared goal of alleviating food insecurity are immensely gratifying experiences. Witnessing the tangible impact of our collective efforts, measured in meals packaged and boxes prepared for shipment, reinforces my commitment to creating lasting change. As I continue my educational journey toward realizing my vision of a reimagined inpatient mental health facility, I remain steadfast in my dedication to making a positive difference through volunteerism. Each volunteer shift furthers my growth and strengthens my resolve to establish a facility that embodies compassionate care and transformative healing. I aim to instill hope and facilitate meaningful change in the lives of my future patients, fostering a supportive environment where they can thrive.

What inspires my interest in entrepreneurship differs from the usual story because it stems from my journey of grappling with mental illness, navigating life decisions, and confronting traumatic experiences. My college years began with typical challenges like adjusting to independence and academic pressures, but my neurodivergence also marked them. Amidst gaining the freshman 15 and late-night escapades, my mental health issues surfaced prominently. Initially diagnosed with anxiety and depression, therapy became a pivotal space where I confronted past traumas, including childhood sexual assaults and an abusive relationship with a man 14 years my senior when I was 14 years old and homeless. Balancing academic responsibilities with mental health struggles proved daunting; I faced academic setbacks and resorted to altering my report card to conceal failures. Feeling isolated and engaging in risky behaviors, I battled a profound sense of loneliness and adversity. Yet, a resilient voice within me urged for self-improvement and a better life, bolstered by the support of my guardians and a steadfast best friend who intervened during a suicidal crisis. I was transferring to a more prominent university that offered renewed hope. Living on campus in a vibrant community, I immersed myself in academic pursuits and a tumultuous relationship. Despite achieving academic success, I ultimately withdrew from the university, succumbing to drug use and further mental health challenges. This decision disrupted my identity but also led to a crucial diagnosis of borderline personality disorder and schizoaffective disorder, initiating essential mental health treatment. Rediscovering a sense of purpose, I reconnected with my estranged biological father and relocated to Arizona, where I continue to prioritize my education and mental well-being. Each day presents its battles, but I am committed to resilience and personal growth, maintaining a high GPA (currently a 3.8) while managing my mental health. My aspiration to earn a doctorate in neuropsychology is driven by a vision to revolutionize inpatient mental health care, emphasizing holistic treatment approaches and interdisciplinary collaboration. The goal of my holistic in-patient clinic would be to treat the patient as a whole in a short amount of time, resulting in a higher quality and functionality of life. I will work to show that working within a patient’s reality by introducing specifically selected coping mechanisms and therapeutic methods and offering essential personal development opportunities that will enhance the individual focus and work mentality and begin to regulate misbehavior, resulting in more positive action from the patient. Supported by the financial aid of your memorial fund scholarship, I aim to establish a rehabilitative inpatient care center that fosters profound cognitive and behavioral transformations for individuals grappling with mental illness. My ultimate goal is to inspire hope and empowerment among my patients, equipping them to inspire others. This journey encapsulates my deepest motivation within the mental health field: to make a tangible, compassionate difference in the lives of those facing similar challenges as mine. I will inspire patients who wander in my clinic lost to achieve their next step and gallivant confidently and courageously into their subsequent conquest of life.

In my overarching vision to make a meaningful impact, I am committed to pursuing a doctorate in neuropsychology to revolutionize inpatient mental health care. I aim to establish a progressive facility offering comprehensive, personalized treatment plans integrating various medical specialties and therapeutic modalities that focus on the patient holistically. Supported by the generous assistance of your memorial fund scholarship, I envision transforming the cognitive functions and behaviors of individuals affected by mental illness, thereby enhancing their quality of life. This mission is deeply personal, resonating with individuals facing similar challenges and those navigating their unique circumstances. I aspire to inspire everyone I encounter, guiding them through their journey at my future mental health facility. Hence, they emerge with newfound confidence in their behaviors, cognitive function, and readiness to inspire others. I am actively contributing to a positive impact through volunteer efforts with the Black Student Union at South Mountain Community College, where I serve as treasurer. Black Student Union has gone above and beyond to volunteer with the Gap Academy here in Arizona, offering our time to help supervise and teach children after school. The academy is dedicated to bringing in leaders who can look after children and encourage them to do their work in new, creative, and knowledgeable ways, emphasizing the fun of learning and the imperative need for children to learn such knowledge. Inspiring and impacting children has always been my passion, and I will continue to do so whenever possible. Additionally, I dedicate my time to Feed My Starving Children in Mesa, Arizona. Here, alongside dedicated peers, we assemble nutritious meals fortified with essential vitamins and proteins for children in disadvantaged regions worldwide. The collaborative spirit and shared goal of alleviating food insecurity are immensely gratifying experiences. Witnessing the tangible impact of our collective efforts, measured in meals packaged and boxes prepared for shipment, reinforces my commitment to creating lasting change. As I continue my educational journey toward realizing my vision of a reimagined inpatient mental health facility, I remain steadfast in my dedication to making a positive difference through volunteerism. Each volunteer shift furthers my growth and strengthens my resolve to establish a facility that embodies compassionate care and transformative healing. I aim to instill hope and facilitate meaningful change in the lives of my future patients, fostering a supportive environment where they can thrive. Ultimately, my journey drives an ambitious desire to contribute meaningfully to the mental health field. Through education, volunteerism, and my future professional endeavors, I am committed to leaving a lasting legacy of empathy, empowerment, and positive impact on individuals and communities.

What drives me to work in the mental health field stems from my journey of grappling with mental illness, navigating life decisions, and confronting traumatic experiences. My college years began with \0typical challenges like adjusting to independence and academic pressures, but my neurodivergence also marked them. Amidst gaining the freshman 15 and late-night escapades, my mental health issues surfaced prominently. Initially diagnosed with anxiety and depression, therapy became a pivotal space where I confronted past traumas, including childhood sexual assaults and an abusive relationship with a man 14 years my senior when I was 14 years old and homeless. Balancing academic responsibilities with mental health struggles proved daunting; I faced academic setbacks and resorted to altering my report card to conceal failures. Feeling isolated and engaging in risky behaviors, I battled a profound sense of loneliness and adversity. Yet, a resilient voice within me urged for self-improvement and a better life, bolstered by the support of my guardians and a steadfast best friend who intervened during a suicidal crisis. I was transferring to a more prominent university that offered renewed hope. Living on campus in a vibrant community, I immersed myself in academic pursuits and a tumultuous relationship. Despite achieving academic success, I ultimately withdrew from the university, succumbing to drug use and further mental health challenges. This decision disrupted my identity but also led to a crucial diagnosis of borderline personality disorder and schizoaffective disorder, initiating essential mental health treatment. Rediscovering a sense of purpose, I reconnected with my estranged biological father and relocated to Arizona, where I continue to prioritize my education and mental well-being. Each day presents its battles, but I am committed to resilience and personal growth, maintaining a high GPA (currently a 3.8) while managing my mental health. My aspiration to earn a doctorate in neuropsychology is driven by a vision to revolutionize inpatient mental health care, emphasizing holistic treatment approaches and interdisciplinary collaboration. Supported by the financial aid of your memorial fund scholarship, I aim to establish a rehabilitative inpatient care center that fosters profound cognitive and behavioral transformations for individuals grappling with mental illness. My ultimate goal is to inspire hope and empowerment among my patients, equipping them to inspire others. This journey encapsulates my deepest motivation within the mental health field: to make a tangible, compassionate difference in the lives of those facing similar challenges as mine. My experience in the mental health field is limited to a research study I conducted in the Spring of 2024 with my college’s Honors Department. This study required me to undertake a 6-month naturalistic observation of an individual with the mental affliction Borderline Personality Disorder and truly dissect what this affliction means for the individual and the implications this disorder proves for their loved ones.