After nearly six years recovering from Alcohol Use Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, I have also navigated chronic pain and disability, both of which have shaped my decision to pursue mental health work. Following an accident in 2018, I have endured failed treatments, surgeries, physical therapy, infections, and the threat of amputation. These challenges led to my dual diagnosis of major depressive disorder and alcoholism, isolation, the loss of a 20-year insurance career, and permanent disability. In treatment, professionals focused on my current needs rather than diagnostic labels such as addict, poor, or disabled. Their compassion inspired me to become a therapist who offers that same hope to others. Drawing on personal lived experience, I aim to be a trauma-informed, holistic therapist. Graduating summa cum laude in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University in 2024, currently enrolled in the M.S.W. program at the University of New Hampshire, with a 4.0 GPA, and earning certificates in Substance Use Disorders and Trauma-Informed School Social Work. The experience I have gained from my internships as a mental health counselor at New Season Treatment Center, a group facilitator at Live Free Recovery Services, and a school social worker at Hampstead Central School has further deepened my practice. These experiences and qualifications ground my practice in trauma-informed principles. From a multidimensional approach, I have gained experience by treating the whole person while considering their symptoms, trauma, and social determinants like financial instability, lack of affordable housing, and community. Using my background to sponsor women in early sobriety and mentor them in financial literacy (credit, banking, and taxes). Collaborating with them allows them to understand that recovery is possible when women rebuild essential life skills and roles. Providing fully integrated and funded trauma-informed, recovery-oriented behavioral health services in community settings would change today's mental healthcare system by providing increased access, equity, and inclusion. Overcoming intersecting barriers for those from marginalized and vulnerable populations is paramount to delivering equitable mental healthcare. BIPOC populations, especially within low-income communities, are especially vulnerable, including those with disabilities, veterans, and women with histories of trauma, who face the high cost of care, provider shortages, provider stigma, and a lack of culturally responsive care. They are frequently lost in the system and do not receive the help they need, leading to increased fragmentation and individuals falling through the cracks.

After nearly six years recovering from Alcohol Use Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, I have also navigated chronic pain and disability, both of which have shaped my decision to pursue mental health work. Following an accident in 2018, I have endured failed treatments, surgeries, physical therapy, infections, and the threat of amputation. These challenges led to my dual diagnosis of major depressive disorder and alcoholism, isolation, the loss of a 20-year insurance career, and permanent disability. In treatment, professionals focused on my current needs rather than diagnostic labels such as addict, poor, or disabled. Their compassion inspired me to become a therapist who offers that same hope to others. Drawing on personal lived experience, I aim to be a trauma-informed, holistic therapist. Graduating summa cum laude in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University in 2024, currently enrolled in the M.S.W. program at the University of New Hampshire, with a 4.0 GPA, and earning certificates in Substance Use Disorders and Trauma-Informed School Social Work. The experience I have gained from my internships as a mental health counselor at New Season Treatment Center, a group facilitator at Live Free Recovery Services, and a school social worker at Hampstead Central School has further deepened my practice. Additionally, I have passed the New Hampshire Certified Recovery Support Worker credential with 54 training hours and am working towards my accreditation. These experiences and qualifications ground my practice in trauma-informed principles. From a multidimensional approach, I have gained experience by treating the whole person while considering their symptoms, trauma, and social determinants like financial instability, lack of affordable housing, and community. Using my background to sponsor women in early sobriety and mentor them in financial literacy (credit, banking, and taxes). Collaborating with them allows them to understand that recovery is possible when women rebuild essential life skills and roles. Providing fully integrated and funded trauma-informed, recovery-oriented behavioral health services in community settings would change today's mental healthcare system by providing increased access, equity, and inclusion. Overcoming intersecting barriers for those from marginalized and vulnerable populations is paramount to delivering equitable mental healthcare. BIPOC populations, especially within low-income communities, are especially vulnerable, including those with disabilities, veterans, and women with histories of trauma, who face the high cost of care, provider shortages, provider stigma, and a lack of culturally responsive care. They are frequently lost in the system and do not receive the help they need, leading to increased fragmentation and individuals falling through the cracks. Providing integrated care in primary care settings, including mobile treatment clinics, school systems, VA systems, and community centers, would reduce transportation barriers, fragmentation, and stigma and make services more accessible. This can be done by advocating for funding, implementing parity policies, and including peer support workers on the treatment team. This will help improve commitment, trust, and outcomes for marginalized populations. Teletherapy has both benefits and challenges. The most significant benefit of Teletherapy is having the ability to fit therapy into your schedule. To serve diverse communities, it is essential to reach those facing the biggest obstacles to accessing teletherapy, especially in rural areas. Providing necessary tools to help those without sustainable local treatment options while overcoming barriers such as transportation, internet access, and electronic devices needed to connect with providers. Advocating for teletherapy also reduces stigma by allowing patients to seek treatment from home. It supports work/home balance for both patients and caregivers and can promote treatment adherence.

Ambition, determination, drive, and meaningful social impact, combined with my personal experience as a woman in recovery with nearly six years of sobriety, have forged my path, providing me with extraordinary experiences that make me an ideal candidate for this scholarship. Currently pursuing a Master of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire with a 4.0 GPA and having graduated summa cum laude from Southern New Hampshire University with a bachelor's in psychology, I have continuously committed myself to excellence despite financial challenges. What sets me apart is a multidimensional approach to social work that blends rigorous academic, practical, and international experience and leadership. I have completed extensive internships in mental health counseling, trauma-informed school social work, Veterans' Alzheimer's support, and recovery support, while applying evidence-based practices to support individuals with complex needs. Also, through one-on-one sponsorship, I counsel women in recovery on financial independence by helping them build credit and educating them on banking and personal taxes. In 2021, I founded KAT USA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to animal welfare in Kathmandu, Nepal. This initiative involves navigating complex processes to establish our organization as a recognized international NGO. We aim to advocate for social and animal welfare in Nepal through leadership, community education, and monetary management, illustrating my ability to lead impactful projects that cross cultural and geographic boundaries. KAT USA is currently working within the guidelines of the World Health Organization, aiming for zero human dog-mediated rabies deaths by 2030. Their goal is to eliminate dog-mediated rabies as a public health problem through vaccination of dogs and dog population management, prevention of dog bites, and ensuring universal access to post-exposure immunization. We achieve this by reducing the street dog population, treating their illnesses and diseases, and providing a platform for animal welfare reform through advocacy, education, and assistance to local communities. To date, we have vaccinated over 6,000 dogs in the Kathmandu Valley in 2025. Each step of my path has provided me with empathy and understanding of how service and education can address mental health disparities and social injustice. By integrating international coursework and travel experience into both my education and professional development, I have gained not only an international perspective on anti-oppressive practice models through trauma-informed practice, policy, and advocacy competence, as well as cultural humility and a global perspective, but have also undergone significant personal growth, which has given me an advantage over the typical MSW student and scholarship recipient. Receiving this scholarship would ease financial barriers that might otherwise delay my progress and amplify my capacity to serve vulnerable populations through trauma-informed, anti-oppressive social work—both locally and globally. My academic achievements, leadership experience, and sustained community impact demonstrate a level of ambition and drive that will make full use of this opportunity to foster lasting social change.

I will never forget the phone call we got in the middle of the night informing us that my father's best friend, who served with him, lost a leg in a motorcycle accident due to alcohol impairment. As a military brat, it was common for me to witness my father and his fellow service members drinking excessively. It took me a long time to realize this behavior was abnormal. I saw service members bonding over alcohol, self-medicating with substances, and silently struggling with mental health crises—all of which were perpetuated by a culture in the military that discourages discussing feelings or asking for help. One of my close friends, an Army sniper, returned from Afghanistan as a changed person. His experiences during deployment were never openly discussed, but the PTSD he suffered as a direct result of his service led him into a cycle of addiction. Finding him overdosed was one of the most traumatic experiences of my life. His story, along with our shared journey toward recovery, has profoundly influenced my understanding and desire to learn more about mental health issues within the military. Over the last several years, I have volunteered at the Manchester, NH VA Hospital, which has increased my empathy for those who have served. While I have always been around those who served, this has made me realize that I love working with veterans. It has increased my empathy for those with military-related PTSD and other mental health and co-occurring disorders due to their military service. These personal experiences have been transformative in shaping my current educational path. With a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, I realized I wanted to help other veterans like my friend. My friend's overdose became the catalyst for furthering my education to be effective in fighting military-related PTSD. I am now enrolled in graduate school, pursuing a degree in Social Work so that I can eventually work at my local Veterans Hospital. In my quest to understand this, I have dedicated much of my undergraduate and graduate research and papers to Veterans with PTSD and suicide risk factors. My research has shed light on the factors that contribute to PTSD and suicide among veterans, making their struggles more understandable. Studying the statistics and co-occurring disorders of PTSD, I understand the risk factors; however, why do 60% of Veterans develop co-occurring disorders? What is it about military culture and norms that glorify resilience but equate mental health struggles with weakness? Why do these courageous people suffer silently? And why are female military members at an even higher risk for PTSD? This scholarship will help me further my education and desire to be an impactful future Military Social Worker. It would support my ongoing research into military-related PTSD while learning the skills to advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. To honor my father, his friends, and my friend, the best thing I can do is to continue to research military-related PTSD, helping them to understand that they are not alone.

There was a time when I stood on the edge of despair, consumed by suicidal thoughts and the heavy weight of major depressive disorder, before I found the courage to seek treatment and begin healing. Before entering treatment, I experienced the suffocating grip of major depressive disorder and suicidal ideation that overshadowed every aspect of my life. The pressures of daily life and relationships were overwhelming, and I battled a pain that few could see or understand. This journey has solidified my belief that mental health is fundamental to every person's well-being and success, which drives my passion for advocating awareness and support in my community. In my darkest moments, I felt isolated and hopeless, convinced that I was alone in my struggle. The stigma surrounding mental illness made it incredibly difficult to reach out for help, and I often feared judgment or misunderstanding from those around me. Like so many others, I internalized my pain, believing that asking for help would be seen as weakness. It was not until I confided in a trusted person that I finally accessed the professional treatment I needed. Therapy and support groups became my lifelines, equipping me with coping strategies, rebuilding my sense of self-worth, and igniting hope for my future. This experience affirmed that seeking help is an act of courage, and recovery is not just possible, it is achievable and life-changing. This insight ignited my passion for advocacy. I wish I had someone to guide me through the realities of living with mental illness. Education has been the most transformative force in my life. As a Master of Social Work student with a B.S. in Psychology, I plan to advocate for individuals, particularly those facing co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges. My battle with depression and suicidal ideation has fueled a strong commitment to mental health advocacy. I know firsthand how critical it is for those who have mental illness to access resources, understanding, and a compassionate community. Once I returned to school, I made it my mission to help others suffering silently. I joined my school's psychology and social welfare clubs, where I organized events to educate students and staff about mental health, reduce stigma, and highlight available resources. I also volunteered as a peer ambassador at the local Veterans Affairs office, providing a sympathetic ear to veterans who needed someone to talk to. These experiences have shown me that advocacy can take many forms, from listening to a friend in need to organizing awareness campaigns and connecting people to resources. Outside of school, I actively share my story and advocate for better mental health support in educational and treatment settings. By opening up and telling my story, I aim to show others they are not alone and that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. I collaborate with organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and NAMI, contributing to campaigns that advocate for suicide prevention and mental health education. I have participated in community events, handed out informational flyers, and spoken at local gatherings to encourage open conversations about mental health. Through these efforts, I have seen firsthand how sharing personal experiences can break down stigma and inspire others to seek support. Mental health is critical to me because I know what it is like to feel hopeless, and I understand how transformative support and understanding can be. Everyone deserves the opportunity to heal, grow, and realize their potential, regardless of their challenges. By championing mental health awareness and fostering open dialogue, I am dedicated to creating a community where no one suffers in silence and everyone feels empowered to seek help. Through empathy, action, and education, we can change the narrative around mental health and build an inclusive and supportive future for all. I am committed to continuing this advocacy for myself and every student who might be struggling in the shadows to create a culture of compassion, resilience, and hope.

There was a time when I stood on the edge of despair, consumed by suicidal thoughts and the heavy weight of major depressive disorder, before I found the courage to seek treatment and begin healing. Before entering treatment, I experienced the suffocating grip of major depressive disorder and suicidal thoughts that overshadowed every aspect of my life. The pressures of daily life were overwhelming, and I battled a pain that few could see or understand. This journey has solidified my belief that mental health is fundamental to every person's well-being and success, which drives my passion for advocating awareness and support in my community. In my darkest moments, I felt isolated and hopeless, convinced that I was alone in my struggle. The stigma surrounding mental illness made it difficult to reach out for help, and I often feared judgment from those around me. It was not until I confided in a trusted person that I finally accessed the professional treatment I needed. Therapy and support groups became my lifelines, equipping me with coping strategies, rebuilding my sense of self-worth, and igniting hope for my future. This experience affirmed that seeking help is an act of courage, and recovery is not just possible, it is achievable. My battle with depression and suicidal ideation has fueled a strong commitment to mental health advocacy. I know firsthand how critical it is for students to access resources, understand, and be part of a compassionate community. Once I began my recovery, I made it my mission to help others suffering silently. I joined my school's psychology and social welfare clubs, where I organized events to educate students and staff about mental health, reduce stigma, and highlight available resources. I also volunteered as a peer ambassador at the local Veterans Affairs office, providing a sympathetic ear to veterans who needed someone to talk to. Outside of school, I actively share my story and advocate for better mental health support in educational and treatment settings. By opening and telling my story, I aim to show others they are not alone and that asking for help is a sign of strength. I collaborate with organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and NAMI, contributing to campaigns that advocate for suicide prevention and mental health education. Mental health is critical to me because I know what it is like to feel hopeless, and I understand how transformative support and understanding can be. Everyone deserves the opportunity to heal, grow, and realize their potential, regardless of their challenges. By championing mental health awareness and fostering open dialogue, I am dedicated to creating a community where no one suffers in silence and everyone feels empowered to seek help. Through empathy, action, and education, we can change the narrative around mental health and build an inclusive and supportive future for all.

In an instant, my life changed. Not dramatically—no slow motion or soundtrack—but profoundly, when I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC). UC, a chronic illness, runs in my family, so I was familiar with it. Armed with pamphlets and information after my first hospitalization, I thought I was prepared to face the realities of UC. However, I quickly learned that I was not. Navigating life with UC was far more challenging than I anticipated. While I understood the medical aspects, no one prepared me for the emotional toll—the shame, stigma, isolation, fear, and embarrassment—or the physical and mental strain it would impose. One pamphlet suggested giving my employer a card to request bathroom breaks. The thought of such a conversation mortified me more than any consequence of not having it. Navigating the rollercoaster of flare-ups, hospitalizations, leaving college, missing work, and financial struggles. The embarrassment from weight gain due to steroids, the anxiety of finding restrooms in public, and the overwhelming isolation, which led to depression. To cope, I turned to alcohol, which deepened my loneliness. My breaking point came when a psychologist asked me if I wanted to die. That conversation began my journey to regain control of my health. I entered a ten-month inpatient treatment program and was diagnosed with co-occurring depression and substance use disorder. Therapy with a psychologist specializing in UC was enlightening and empowering, shifting my perspective on UC and life. I realized that patients and the public often misunderstand UC. Losing my job during treatment because of not qualifying for FMLA felt like a sign to focus entirely on healing. Through this process, I discovered a new perspective on life and began envisioning what I wanted for the future. Therapy taught me that UC is often misunderstood—not only by those who have it but also by those who do not. This realization sparked my desire to become an advocate for others with UC. If someone had guided me through the “nitty-gritty” realities of living with this disease addressing stigma, shame, and societal misconceptions, I might have been better prepared. Education became my advocacy tool. This insight ignited my passion for advocacy. As a Master of Social Work student with a B.S. in Psychology, I plan to advocate for individuals with chronic inflammatory diseases, particularly those facing co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges. What excites me most is empowering patients and caregivers by providing support, resources, and education. I enjoy engaging in difficult conversations about harm reduction, symptom management, flare-up prevention, and the importance of self-care while providing resources and support to help patients understand their conditions and reclaim their lives. UC has reshaped my life, teaching me resilience and giving me purpose. I want others facing the same struggles to know they are not alone.

There was a time when I stood on the edge of despair, consumed by suicidal thoughts and the heavy weight of major depressive disorder, before I found the courage to seek treatment and begin healing. Before entering treatment, I experienced the suffocating grip of major depressive disorder and suicidal thoughts that overshadowed every aspect of my life. The pressures of daily life were overwhelming, and I battled a pain that few could see or understand. This journey has solidified my belief that mental health is fundamental to every person's well-being and success, which drives my passion for advocating awareness and support in my community. In my darkest moments, I felt isolated and hopeless, convinced that I was alone in my struggle. The stigma surrounding mental illness made it difficult to reach out for help, and I often feared judgment from those around me. It was not until I confided in a trusted person that I finally accessed the professional treatment I needed. Therapy and support groups became my lifelines, equipping me with coping strategies, rebuilding my sense of self-worth, and igniting hope for my future. This experience affirmed that seeking help is an act of courage, and recovery is not just possible, it is achievable. My battle with depression and suicidal ideation has fueled a strong commitment to mental health advocacy. I know firsthand how critical it is for students to access resources, understand, and be part of a compassionate community. Once I began my recovery, I made it my mission to help others suffering silently. I joined my school's psychology and social welfare clubs, where I organized events to educate students and staff about mental health, reduce stigma, and highlight available resources. I also volunteered as a peer ambassador at the local Veterans Affairs office, providing a sympathetic ear to veterans who needed someone to talk to. Outside of school, I actively share my story and advocate for better mental health support in educational and treatment settings. By opening and telling my story, I aim to show others they are not alone and that asking for help is a sign of strength. I collaborate with organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and NAMI, contributing to campaigns that advocate for suicide prevention and mental health education. Mental health is critical to me because I know what it is like to feel hopeless, and I understand how transformative support and understanding can be. Everyone deserves the opportunity to heal, grow, and realize their potential, regardless of their challenges. By championing mental health awareness and fostering open dialogue, I am dedicated to creating a community where no one suffers in silence and everyone feels empowered to seek help. Through empathy, action, and education, we can change the narrative around mental health and build an inclusive and supportive future for all.

My name is Melissa Perkins, and I am a recovering alcoholic. Mental health and suicide are also part of my story. It took me a long time to say those words without shame, embarrassment, fear, or ridicule.  As a person in recovery, I am learning to live a happy life while balancing mental health and addiction.    As someone with a dual diagnosis, I never knew that depression and addiction are diseases.  Dealing with the “Why can’t you stop?” questions from loved ones was also difficult because I never knew why I could not stop. I thought I had a choice and was just unable to stop.  It took a long time to learn about my disease to make me realize that there are so many others who think the same way.  Learning to live a happy life while balancing mental health and addiction is no small feat, and as a person who has learned to cope with it, I want to help others accomplish this as well.  I aim to become a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor and a social worker to help others.  I want others to realize they do not have to live with the stigma without getting help and can accomplish anything they want.  It is never too late to live a happy, healthy life. When I was in treatment, I was treated as a human with respect and empathy for the first time in a long time rather than just an addict with mental health issues.  This taught me that no matter where you are in life, you deserve to be treated the same.  With my education at SNHU and UNH, volunteer work at the Veteran's Hospital, and internship at Live Free Recovery Services, I am learning the importance of giving back to my community.  After graduation, I aim to continue working with those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those who have served our country.  While in treatment, I understood that I had not been happy in my profession for quite some time. While trying to figure out what to do with my life, I went back to college at 48 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a concentration in mental health and addiction, and a minor in Sociology. I am currently enrolled in graduate school studying for my Master's of Social Work.   While logging over 250 internship hours at Live Free Recovery Services of New Hampshire as well as a local methadone clinic, I have been able to work with people struggling with addiction and mental health issues who are less fortunate, including people who are homeless, drug court, working a on reunification program for their children as well as those who don’t have the financial means to attend one of the well know private treatment centers.  As a Volunteer Ambassador at the local Veteran’s Hospital, I am gaining real-life experience working with veterans in crisis, which is an important issue to me personally as I come from a family of veterans.  Today, I have healthy relationships with my family and friends, which directly results from my work on myself.

As I watched the sunset over the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal in 2019, after a day of volunteering, I realized that my path in life was evolving from the joy of volunteering to something more substantial. The fulfillment, peace, and serenity I left at that moment will live with me for the rest of my life. While my journey in helping others has been a lifelong commitment through my volunteer work, it was then that I realized my passion for helping others had progressed into a desire to become an advocate for those less fortunate on a professional level. As a person in recovery, my peregrination took many turns, including working on myself through extensive internal and external factors, including therapy, reflection, and contemplation through my firsthand experiences both before and after that day in Nepal. After over twenty years working in the insurance industry, it was after that trip to Nepal that I started to think about how I could use my background and personal experience for the next phase of my life and career. On that day, after a lifelong commitment to volunteer work, I began to consider the idea of working within the social welfare sector. Learning about Nepal's culture helped me better understand how I could help back home. While Nepal and the US are very different, fundamentally, we face a lot of the same social issues, including addiction, mental health, and a misconception and judgment for those that are different. My commitment to my local community has included volunteer work with the American Red Cross of New England (Presidential Volunteer Service Gold Award in 2021), the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Hospital, Manchester, NH, and various animal shelters. Also, in 2021, I established KAT USA, a 401(C)3, to financially support and promote animal welfare in Nepal at the Kathmandu Animal Treatment Centre of Nepal. Using both my education and personal experience, my career aspirations are to work with my local community to help those facing barriers and stigmas associated with mental health and addiction issues, especially veterans. I graduated Summa Cum laude with a bachelor's in psychology with a minor in sociology in May 2024 and have been accepted to the Fall 2024 term at the University of New Hampshire - Master of Social Work (MSW) program. As an adult learner with limited income, this scholarship will help tremendously to offset tuition not covered by financial aid.

As I watched the sunset over the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal in 2019, after a day of volunteering, I realized that my path in life was evolving from the joy of volunteering to something more substantial. The fulfillment, peace, and serenity I left at that moment will live with me for the rest of my life. While my journey in helping others has been a lifelong commitment through my volunteer work, it was then that I realized my passion for helping others had progressed into a desire to become an advocate for those less fortunate on a professional level. As a person in recovery, my peregrination took many turns, including working on myself through extensive internal and external factors, including therapy, reflection, and contemplation through my firsthand experiences both before and after that day in Nepal. After over twenty years working in the insurance industry, it was after that trip to Nepal that I started to think about how I could use my background and personal experience for the next phase of my life and career. On that day, after a lifelong commitment to volunteer work, I began to consider the idea of working within the social welfare sector. Learning about Nepal's culture helped me better understand how I could help back home. While Nepal and the US are very different, fundamentally, we face a lot of the same social issues, including addiction, mental health, and a misconception and judgment for those that are different. My commitment to my local community has included volunteer work with the American Red Cross of New England (Presidential Volunteer Service Gold Award in 2021), the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Hospital, Manchester, NH, and various animal shelters. Also, in 2021, I established KAT USA, a 401(C)3, to support financially and promote animal welfare in Nepal at the Kathmandu Animal Treatment Centre of Nepal. Using both my education and personal experience, my career aspirations are to work with my local community to help those facing barriers and stigmas associated with mental health and addiction issues, especially veterans. I graduated Summa Cum laude with a bachelor's in psychology with a minor in sociology in May 2024 and have been accepted to the Fall 2024 term at the University of New Hampshire - Master of Social Work (MSW) program. As an adult learner with limited income, this scholarship will help tremendously to offset tuition not covered by financial aid.

As I watched the sunset over the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal in 2019, after a day of volunteering, I realized that my path in life was evolving from the joy of volunteering to something more substantial. The fulfillment, peace, and serenity I left at that moment will live with me for the rest of my life. While my journey in helping others has been a lifelong commitment through my volunteer work, it was then that I realized my passion for helping others had progressed into a desire to become an advocate for those less fortunate on a professional level. As a person in recovery, my peregrination took many turns, including working on myself through extensive internal and external factors, including therapy, reflection, and contemplation through my firsthand experiences both before and after that day in Nepal. After over twenty years working in the insurance industry, it was after that trip to Nepal that I started to think about how I could use my background and personal experience for the next phase of my life and career. On that day, after a lifelong commitment to volunteer work, I began to consider the idea of working within the social welfare sector. Learning about Nepal's culture helped me better understand how I could help back home. While Nepal and the US are very different, fundamentally, we face a lot of the same social issues, including addiction, mental health, and a misconception and judgment for those that are different. My commitment to my local community has included volunteer work with the American Red Cross of New England (Presidential Volunteer Service Gold Award in 2021), the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Hospital, Manchester, NH, and various animal shelters. Also, in 2021, I established KAT USA, a 401(C)3, to support financially and promote animal welfare in Nepal at the Kathmandu Animal Treatment Centre of Nepal. Using both my education and personal experience, my career aspirations are to work with my local community to help those facing barriers and stigmas associated with mental health and addiction issues, especially veterans. I graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's in psychology with a minor in sociology in May 2024 and have been accepted to the Fall 2024 term at the University of New Hampshire - Master of Social Work (MSW) program. As an adult learner with limited income, this scholarship will help tremendously to offset tuition not covered by financial aid.

As I watched the sunset over the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal in 2019, after a day of volunteering, I realized that my path in life was evolving from the joy of volunteering to something more substantial. The fulfillment, peace, and serenity I left at that moment will live with me for the rest of my life. While my journey in helping others has been a lifelong commitment through my volunteer work, it was then that I realized my passion for helping others had progressed into a desire to become an advocate for those less fortunate on a professional level. As a person in recovery, my peregrination took many turns, including working on myself through extensive internal and external factors, including therapy, reflection, and contemplation through my firsthand experiences both before and after that day in Nepal. After over twenty years working in the insurance industry, it was after that trip to Nepal that I started to think about how I could use my background and personal experience for the next phase of my life and career. On that day, after a lifelong commitment to volunteer work, I began to consider the idea of working within the social welfare sector. Learning about Nepal's culture helped me better understand how I could help back home. While Nepal and the US are very different, fundamentally, we face a lot of the same social issues, including addiction, mental health, and a misconception and judgment for those that are different. My commitment to my local community has included volunteer work with the American Red Cross of New England (Presidential Volunteer Service Gold Award in 2021), the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Hospital, Manchester, NH, and various animal shelters. Also, in 2021, I established KAT USA, a 401(C)3, to support financially and promote animal welfare in Nepal at the Kathmandu Animal Treatment Centre of Nepal. Using both my education and personal experience, my career aspirations are to work with my local community to help those facing barriers and stigmas associated with mental health and addiction issues, especially veterans. I graduated Summa Cum laude with a bachelor's in psychology with a minor in sociology in May 2024 and have been accepted to the Fall 2024 term at the University of New Hampshire - Master of Social Work (MSW) program. As an adult learner with limited income, this scholarship will help tremendously to offset tuition not covered by financial aid.

On a cold and snowy afternoon on January 6, 2020, I walked into Hampstead Hospital and Residential Treatment Facility in Hampstead, New Hampshire utterly defeated and lost. After suffering from mental illness and alcoholism, I had reached rock bottom with thoughts of suicide. The first question they asked me “Was I powerless over alcohol and had my life become unmanageable?” My answer was unequivocally yes! As someone with a dual diagnosis, I never knew that depression and addiction are diseases. Dealing with the “Why can’t you stop?” questions from loved ones was difficult because I never knew why I could not stop. I thought I had a choice and was just unable to stop. It took a long-time to learn about my disease to make me realize that there are so many others that think the same way. Learning to live a happy life while balancing mental health and addiction is no small feat and as a person who has learned to cope with it, I want to help others accomplish this as well. While applying to school was easy, it was the thought of actually attending that caused anxiety. I had worked hard to gain sobriety, would the fear and anxiety that I had about not only going back to school, but to go to a campus program where I was not only older than the students, but the processors as well. Not only have I continued therapy, but I also swallowed my pride and asked for help at school. Being upfront about my addiction and mental health, which I had not done previous to anyone other than family and people in AA, I met with my advisor and laid out a plan so I could get all the help I needed, whether it was writing a paper, getting additional time to take exams, or simply utilizing a tutor. Today I have 6 weeks shy of graduating with a current GPA of 3.9 and have been inducting into Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology and Alpha Chi honor society -- a national honor society recognizing the academic achievements of students enrolled in liberal arts majors. I have also been accepted into UNH's Master of Social Work graduate program for the fall. My goal is to become a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor. I want to help others to realize that they do not have to live with the stigma of mental health and addiction without getting help and they too can accomplish anything they set their minds to. My goal after graduation is to continue to work with those from disadvantaged backgrounds as well as those who have served our country, helping them to overcome the barriers to a healthy and happy life.

As I watched the sunset over the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal in 2019, after a day of volunteering, I realized that my path in life was evolving from a joy of volunteering to something more substantial. The fulfillment, peace, and serenity I left at that moment will live with me for the rest of my life. While my personal journey in helping others has been a lifelong commitment through my volunteer work, it was then that I realized my passion for helping others had progressed into a desire to become an advocate for those less fortunate on a professional level. As a person in recovery, my peregrination took many turns including working on myself through extensive internal and external factors including therapy, reflection, and contemplation through my firsthand experiences both before and after that day in Nepal. After over twenty years working in the insurance industry, it was after that trip to Nepal, that I really started to think about how I could use my background and personal experience for the next phase of my life and career. It was on that day that after a lifelong commitment to volunteer work that I began to consider the idea of working within the humanitarian sector. Learning about the culture in Nepal helped me have a better understanding on how I could help back home. While Nepal and the US are very different, fundamentally, we face a lot of the same social issues including addiction, mental health, and a misconception and judgement for those that are different. When I was there, I said I would experience everything I could, regardless if was not necessarily something that was accepted in the USA. During New Year's Eve, I went to a Hindu Church, that practiced animal sacrifice. While at first I thought it was barbaric and deviant, after witnessing the process, I realized how and why this was important to the Hindu people. The experience that day was a holiday that brought the family together. They brought either a chicken or goat to sacrifice, it was done for the sole purpose to remove all negative elements and bring a balance with God, mankind and nature for their family. Once the animal was beheaded, the head was placed on an alter as an offering. The body was then taken to the butcher and prepared so the family could hold a feast. After witnessing this ritual, it made me realize that although their customs are very different from ours, at the end of the day, it was about celebrating life, god, and family. This helped me see that although much different in practice, it is the same as with most any religion. I believe the experience I received while visiting Nepal shaped my current direction. I will be graduating with a bachelor's in psychology with a minor in sociology and have been accepted to the Fall 2024 term at the University of New Hampshire - Master of Social Work (MSW) program.

Helping people with disabilities in my community who have mental health is critical. With my Bachelor's degree in psychology along with the education I will be get towards my Master of Social Work, I will be able to help at the ground level. By becoming a Social Worker with a focus on mental help I wish to work with a mobile response team to address issues directly related to those who face barrier to treatment, especially the homeless population. Providing services to this population is a necessary first step in fighting the stigma of mental health and mental health disabilities. Also, as an advocate, I will provide education to the community to help reduce the stigmas associated with those disabilities, that all too often go untreated.

My family has an extensive history of service in the Army and Navy. Being the daughter of a veteran has shaped my career aspirations in many ways. I have watched so many members of my family who have served with a sense of gratitude in my family for their service to our country. It has also allowed me to take pride in our country. Growing up in a military household, it was common to witness mental health issues as well as alcoholism and addiction in both my father and his fellow brother-in-arms. I have early memories of being part of special occasions like Armed Forces Day and the party-like atmosphere, which as a child I viewed as just having fun. Two instances that have stood out during my childhood were watching one friend of my father’s friends have what I now understand was a mental breakdown. I remember the ambulance coming and strapping him down to a chair while he fought them off. This person was a big part of my childhood and I just remember being so scared of him. The other was another friend who lost a limb in an accident after driving while impaired. It was not until later in life that I understood what they were going through as I too struggled with my own PTSD and addiction. Going into treatment for a co-occurring disorder of PTSD and alcoholism in early 2020 taught me a lot. I was able to understand the stigma of mental health was nothing to be ashamed of. I finally understood that I had been masking my PTSD through my alcoholism for many years because of not dealing with my past issues. It made me wonder if my father’s friends had done the same, would they have had different outcomes? While I have always respected those who have served, it was not until I entered treatment that I understood the difficulties those in the military face while overcoming PTSD and addiction issues. Those who serve, and especially see combat, go through so much more than many of us will ever understand. In treatment, I witnessed a close friend, who served in Afghanistan as a sniper overdose. It was one of the hardest things I have ever gone through. Why would he do this? He had so much to live for. While I have made tremendous strides working on myself, I understood the addiction aspect of his disease. However, I wanted a better understanding of his PTSD and mental health issues as a direct result of his service, specifically combat, that would play a part in his disease and overdose. After 18 months of sobriety, I returned to school to pursue my psychology degree. Due to my personal experiences, I knew I wanted to work with those who have served. I currently volunteer at my local VA hospital and have recently decided to attend graduate school for a master’s in social work, as my hope is to one day work at the VA/

Spreading hope in your everyday life means doing your very best every day. You never know what another person is going through, and your actions can make a difference in that person's life. Throughout my life, I have always volunteered in one aspect or another. Whether it was dishing out food at a soup kitchen, washing dogs in Mexico while on vacation, to volunteering at the local hospital, the joy I get from helping others is indescribable. In 2018, the insurance company that I worked for closed our division with no notice. While doing an exhaustive job search, I was repeatedly told that I was either overqualified or underqualified. After many unsuccessful job interviews, I decided to pack a bag and volunteer abroad. I had no idea how much my life would change during my time in Nepal. While I have volunteered abroad in the past, it was always during vacations with a limited amount of time. While making my plans, I decided to volunteer for three months in Kathmandu, Nepal. Although I did not know it at the time, this was the beginning of the second phase of my life. Volunteering at the Kathmandu Animal Treatment Center - Nepal (KAT Nepal), whose primary purpose was to control the street dog population, I fell in love with the country and the people. I also volunteer at Kinder House, which is an orphanage that was run by my host family. Working with the children at their school and home, I teach ESL. Not only did I gain a new family in Nepal, but I also found joy and passion again. It has also been amazing to watch my family and friends feel as though they are part of my journey during various fundraisers and drives. I now visit Nepal every six months as part of my volunteer work. During my second visit, I learned KAT lost its funding and when I returned home, I started the application process to register KAT USA as a non-profit to financially support KAT Nepal. KAT USA was established in 2021. We are an IRS-approved 501(c)3 Non-Profit and my role as president of KAT USA is to raise funds for KAT Nepal while educating the public both in the USA and abroad on animal welfare. During COVID-19, in 2020, through the American Red Cross, I received the President’s Volunteer Service Award, which honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to volunteer as well. My career interest is mental health with a focus on addiction. I also currently volunteer at Live Free Recovery in New Hampshire as a group facilitator, logging over two hundred volunteer hours during the last year. In this role, I work with women who face barriers to sobriety in a group setting. Recovery means to me several things. It includes working my program every day, sponsoring other women, and having a service position as a General Service Representative in my district. It also means being available to other women in my network as sober support. I also educate women in recovery on financial matters such as opening a checking account, credit, budgeting, etc. I also volunteer at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Hospital in Manchester, NH as an ambassador. As an “army brat,” I grew up around people in the military and they are the most underserved population fighting mental health and addiction. Combining all my experience, I hope to become a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor upon graduation.

Exemplifying a spirit of excellence in your everyday life to me means doing your very best every day. You never know what another person is going through, and your actions can make a difference in that person's life. Throughout my life, I have always volunteered in one aspect or another. Whether it was dishing out food at a soup kitchen, to washing dogs in Mexico while on vacation, to volunteering at the local hospital, the joy I get from helping others is indescribable. In 2018, the insurance company that I worked for closed our division with no notice. While doing an exhaustive job search, I was repeatedly told that I was either overqualified or underqualified. After many unsuccessful job interviews, I decided to pack a bag and volunteer abroad. I had no idea how much my life would change during my time in Nepal. While I have volunteered abroad in the past, it was always during vacations with a limited amount of time. While making my plans, I decided to volunteer for three months in Kathmandu, Nepal. Although I did not know it at the time, this was the beginning of the second phase of my life. Volunteering at the Kathmandu Animal Treatment Center (KAT), whose primary purpose was to control the street dog population, I fell in love with the country and the people. I also volunteer at Kider House, which is an orphanage that was run by my host family. Working with the children at their school and home, I teach ESL. Not only did I gain a new family in Nepal, but I also found joy and passion again. It has also been amazing to watch my family and friends also feel a part of my journey. I now visit Nepal every six months as part of my volunteer work. During my second visit, I learned KAT lost its funding and when I returned home, I started the application process to register KAT USA as a non-profit to financially support KAT Nepal. KAT USA was established in 2021. We are an IRS-approved 501(c)3 Non-Profit and my role as president of KAT USA is to raise funds for KAT. During COVID, in 2020, through the American Red Cross, I received the President’s Volunteer Service Award, which honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to volunteer as well. My career interest is mental health with a focus on addiction. I also currently volunteer at Live Free Recovery in New Hampshire as a group facilitator, logging over 200 hours during the last year. In this role, I work with women who face barriers to sobriety in a group setting. I also volunteer at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Hospital in Manchester, NH as an ambassador. As an “army brat”, I grew up around people in the military and I feel they are the most underserved population fighting mental health and addiction.

On a cold and snowy afternoon on January 6, 2020, I walked into Hampstead Hospital and Residential Treatment Facility in Hampstead, NH utterly defeated and lost. After suffering from mental illness and alcoholism, I reached rock bottom with thoughts of suicide. The first question they asked me “Was I powerless over alcohol and had my life become unmanageable?” My answer was unequivocally yes! As someone with a dual diagnosis, I never knew that depression and addiction are diseases. Dealing with the “Why can’t you stop?” questions from loved ones was difficult because I never knew why I could not stop. I thought I had a choice and was just unable to stop. It took a long-time to learn about my disease to make me realize that there are so many others that think the same way. It was my first time in treatment, and I knew that I had no skills to battle my mental illness while remaining sober. After completing the initial 28-day program, I took a leave of absence from my job and made the choice to work on myself, and entered a full-time extended care program. For the first time in a long time, I was treated as a human with respect and empathy rather than just an addict with mental health issues. I realized that I had not been happy in my job in the insurance industry for a while. I learned that personal happiness and joy are important to my recovery, therefore, I decided to return to school to earn my bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in mental health and addiction. While the process of applying was easy, mental health issues were a big question mark. Would I be able to sit through a class and learn? I was always the person who never asked for help. I have learned that it is OK to ask for help. Today I meet with my Academic Advisor weekly as well as the Accommodations Department. And most important, I have had an open and honest dialogue with my professors about my experience, strength, and hope. My GPA is 3.872 and I have been on the honor roll each semester and was inducted into the Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. Today I am 3 ½ years sober and actively volunteering at the Manchester Veteran’s Hospital and have logged over 200 internship hours in a treatment center and have passed the exam for the State of New Hampshire Certified Recovery Support Worker. Working through the steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, I have been able to see how past behavior hurt all my relationships, especially with my parents. After making amends with them and learning to say I love you, our relationship today is stronger than ever. I had so many people encourage me to follow my heart during treatment, who treated me with respect and empathy. Learning to live a happy life while balancing mental health and addiction is no small feat and as a person who has learned to cope with it, I want to help others accomplish this as well. Today I live a healthy and happy life. I am passionate about not only life but my recovery and excited to share my knowledge with others.

On a cold and snowy afternoon on January 6, 2020, I walked into Hampstead Hospital and Residential Treatment Facility in Hampstead, NH utterly defeated and lost. After suffering from mental illness and alcoholism, I reached rock bottom with thoughts of suicide. The first question they asked me “Was I powerless over alcohol and had my life become unmanageable?” My answer was unequivocally yes! As someone with a dual diagnosis, I never knew that depression and addiction are diseases. Dealing with the “Why can’t you stop?” questions from loved ones was difficult because I never knew why I could not stop. I thought I had a choice and was just unable to stop. It took a long-time to learn about my disease to make me realize that there are so many others that think the same way. It was my first time in treatment, and I knew that I had no skills to battle my mental illness while remaining sober. After completing the initial 28-day program, I took a leave of absence from my job and made the choice to work on myself, and entered a full-time extended care program. For the first time in a long time, I was treated as a human with respect and empathy rather than just an addict with mental health issues. I realized that I had not been happy in my job in the insurance industry for a while. I learned that personal happiness and joy are important to my recovery, therefore, I decided to return to school to earn my bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in mental health and addiction. While the process of applying was easy, mental health issues were a big question mark. Would I be able to sit through a class and learn? I was always the person who never asked for help. I have learned that it is OK to ask for help. Today I meet with my Academic Advisor weekly as well as the Accommodations Department. And most important, I have had an open and honest dialogue with my professors about my experience, strength, and hope. My GPA is 3.872 and I have been on the honor roll each semester and was inducted into the Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. Today I am 3 ½ years sober and actively volunteering at the Manchester Veteran’s Hospital and have logged over 200 internship hours in a treatment center and have passed the exam for the State of New Hampshire Certified Recovery Support Worker. Working through the steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, I have been able to see how past behavior hurt all my relationships, especially with my parents. After making amends with them and learning to say I love you, our relationship today is stronger than ever. I had so many people encourage me to follow my heart during treatment, who treated me with respect and empathy. Learning to live a happy life while balancing mental health and addiction is no small feat and as a person who has learned to cope with it, I want to help others accomplish this as well. Today I live a healthy and happy life. I am passionate about not only life but my recovery and excited to share my knowledge with others.

On a cold and snowy afternoon on January 6, 2020, I walked into Hampstead Hospital and Residential Treatment Facility in Hampstead, NH utterly defeated and lost. After suffering from mental illness and alcoholism, I reached rock bottom with thoughts of suicide. The first question they asked me “Was I powerless over alcohol and had my life become unmanageable?” My answer was unequivocally yes! As someone with a dual diagnosis, I never knew that depression and addiction are diseases. Dealing with the “Why can’t you stop?” questions from loved ones was difficult because I never knew why I could not stop. I thought I had a choice and was just unable to stop. It took a long-time to learn about my disease to make me realize that there are so many others that think the same way. It was my first time in treatment, and I knew that I had no skills to battle my mental illness while remaining sober. After completing the initial 28-day program, I took a leave of absence from my job and made the choice to work on myself and entered a full-time extended care program. For the first time in a long time, I was treated as a human with respect and empathy rather than just an addict with mental health issues. I realized that I had not been happy in my job in the insurance industry for a while. I learned that personal happiness and joy are important to my recovery, therefore, I decided to return to school to earn my bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in mental health and addiction. While the process of applying was easy, mental health issues were a big question mark. Would I be able to sit through a class and learn? I was always the person who never asked for help. I have learned that it is OK to ask for help. Today I meet with my Academic Advisor weekly as well as the Accommodations Department. And most important, I have had an open and honest dialogue with my professors about my experience, strength, and hope. My GPA is 3.872 and I have been on the honor roll each semester and was inducted into the Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. Today I am 3 ½ years sober and actively volunteering at the Manchester Veteran’s Hospital and have logged over 200 internship hours in a treatment center and have passed the exam for the State of New Hampshire Certified Recovery Support Worker. Working within the recovery community, I currently sponsor other women in early sobriety. I am also a General Service Representative (GSR) for my home meeting, What’s Good About Today Candia, a group I started in 2021. As a GSR, I represent the group at the district and area levels, bringing the group's thoughts, news, and problems to the district committee member and to the Delegate, who then passes them on to the conference. Also, I help educate women on basic financial matters such as banking, budgeting, and credit. I had so many people encourage me to follow my heart during treatment, who treated me with respect and empathy. Learning to live a happy life while balancing mental health and addiction is no small feat and as a person who has learned to cope with it, I want to help others accomplish this as well. Today I live a healthy and happy life. I am passionate about not only life but my recovery and excited to share my knowledge with others.

On a cold and snowy afternoon on January 6, 2020, I walked into Hampstead Hospital and Residential Treatment Facility in Hampstead, New Hampshire utterly defeated and lost. After suffering from mental illness and alcoholism, I had reached rock bottom with thoughts of suicide. The first question they asked me “Was I powerless over alcohol and had my life become unmanageable?” My answer was unequivocally yes! As someone with a dual diagnosis, I never knew that depression and addiction are diseases. Dealing with the “Why can’t you stop?” questions from loved ones was difficult because I never knew why I could not stop. I thought I had a choice and was just unable to stop. It took a long-time to learn about my disease to make me realize that there are so many others that think the same way. Learning to live a happy life while balancing mental health and addiction is no small feat and as a person who has learned to cope with it, I want to help others accomplish this as well. My goal is to become a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor. I want to help others to realize that they do not have to live with the stigma of mental health and addiction without getting help and they too can accomplish anything they set their minds to. Studying at Southern New Hampshire University, I will graduate in the Spring of 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in mental health and addiction and a minor in sociology. My GPA is 3.872 and I have been on the honor roll each semester and was inducted into the Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. When I was in treatment, I was treated as a human with respect and empathy for the first time in a long time rather than just an addict with mental health issues. This taught me that no matter where you are in life, you deserve to be treated the same. With my education at SNHU as well as the volunteer work at the Veteran's Hospital and internship I have done at Live Free Recovery Services, I am learning the importance of giving back to my community. My goal after graduation is to continue to work with those from disadvantaged backgrounds as well as those who have served our country, helping them to overcome the barriers to a healthy and happy life. Working within the recovery community, I currently sponsor other women in early sobriety. I am also a General Service Representative (GSR) for my home meeting, What’s Good About Today Candia, a group I started in 2021. As a GSR, I represent the group at the district and area levels, bringing the group's thoughts, news, and problems to the district committee member and to the Delegate, who then passes them on to the conference. Also, I help educate women on basic financial matters such as banking, budgeting, and credit. While logging over 200 internship hours at Live Free Recovery Services of New Hampshire, one of the only treatment facilities that take Medicaid, I have been able to work with people struggling with addiction and mental health issues who are less fortunate. As a Volunteer Ambassador at the local Veteran’s Hospital, I am gaining real-life experience collaborating with veterans in crisis, which is a critical issue to me as I come from a family of veterans.

On a cold and snowy afternoon on January 6, 2020, I walked into Hampstead Hospital and Residential Treatment Facility in Hampstead, New Hampshire utterly defeated and lost. After suffering from mental illness and alcoholism, I reached rock bottom with thoughts of suicide. The first question they asked me “Was I powerless over alcohol and had my life become unmanageable?” My answer was unequivocally yes! As someone with a dual diagnosis, I never knew that depression and addiction are diseases. Dealing with the “Why can’t you stop?” questions from loved ones was difficult because I never knew why I could not stop. I thought I had a choice and was just unable to stop. It took a long-time to learn about my disease to make me realize that there are so many others that think the same way. During treatment, I lost my job as I was unable to commit to a return-to-work date. This was my first time in treatment, and I knew that I had no skills to battle my mental illness while remaining sober. During my stay at Hampstead, they encouraged me to think about an extended treatment program that would strengthen my sobriety while immersing me in Alcoholics Anonymous. I took their advice and entered Avenues Treatment Center with no real plan other than to work on myself. I was there for 10 months. Learning to live a happy life while balancing mental health and addiction is no small feat and as a person who has learned to cope with it, I want to help others accomplish this as well. My goal is to become a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor and help others. I want others to realize that they do not have to live with the stigma of addiction without getting help and they too can accomplish anything they set their minds to. It is never too late in life to live a happy healthy life. Therefore, I decided to return to school at Southern New Hampshire University working towards a bachelor's degree in psychology with a concentration on addiction and mental health and minor in sociology. My aim is to continue working towards my master’s in social work. While the process of applying was easy, mental health issues were a big question mark. Would I be able to sit through a class and learn? I was always the person who never asked for help. I have learned that it is OK to ask for help. Today I meet with my Academic Advisor weekly as well as the Accommodations Department. And most important, I have had an open and honest dialogue with my professors about my experience, strength, and hope. My GPA is 3.872 and I have been on the honor roll each semester and was inducted into the Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. During treatment, I was encouraged to either get a job or volunteer. Throughout my life, I have always volunteered in one aspect or another. It has always brought me joy to be of service to others. In 2020 through the American Red Cross, I received the President’s Volunteer Service Award, which honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to volunteer as well. I also currently volunteer at Live Free Recovery in New Hampshire as a group facilitator as well with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Hospital in Manchester, NH as an ambassador. My fondest wish is to work at the VA Hospital in their mental health department upon graduation.

My name is Melissa Perkins, and I am a recovering alcoholic. Mental health and suicide are also part of my story. It took me a long time to be able to say those words without shame, embarrassment, fear, or ridicule. As a person in recovery, I am learning to live a happy life while balancing mental health and addiction. Growing up as an Army brat, I moved from base to base to off base throughout my childhood while my father served in the Army. Growing up without any real roots or connections to others was very lonely. I was always the new kid looking in and it was difficult to make friends. As I got older, I started to deal with mental health issues, which I now know, which is part was caused by the lifestyle we lived. As someone with a dual diagnosis, I never knew that depression and addiction are diseases. Dealing with the “Why can’t you stop?” questions from loved ones were also so difficult because I never knew why I could not stop. I thought I had a choice and was just unable to stop. It took a long-time learning about my disease to make me realize that there are so many others that think the same way. My goal is to become a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor and help others, specifically, those who serve in the military. I want others to realize that they don't have to live with the stigma that comes with addiction and mental health, and they too can accomplish anything they set their minds to. When I was in treatment, I was treated as a human with respect and empathy for the first time in a long time rather than just an addict with mental health issues thinking I had no choice but to live in shame and embarrassment. This taught me that no matter where you are in life, you deserve to be treated the same. I have been active in Alcoholics Anonymous since getting sober on January 6, 2020. I established a new AA meeting called What’s Good About Today in Candia, NH, which is a meeting about gratitude while volunteering as our Group Service Representative for our district. I also sponsor other women and work with my sponsor daily. With a cumulative GPA of 3.861, I have been on the honor roll during my entire academic career at Southern New Hampshire University. I am an active member of the PSA – Psychology Student Association and I was inducted into the PSI CHI – The International Honor Society in Psychology in the Spring of 2023. As someone with a military background, I feel that active and retired military personnel are one of the most underserved communities in mental health. I've personally seen what this disease does, which has led to my desire to help. As a Volunteer Ambassador at the local Veteran’s Hospital in New Hampshire, I am gaining real-life experience working with veterans in crisis. This experience has been invaluable as it has helped reaffirm my desire to help this community.

My name is Melissa Perkins, and I am a recovering alcoholic. Mental health and suicide are also part of my story. It took me a long time to be able to say those words without shame, embarrassment, fear, or ridicule. As a person in recovery, I am learning to live a happy life while balancing mental health and addiction. My goal is to become a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor. I want others to realize that they do not have to live with the stigma without getting help and they too can accomplish anything they set their minds to. When I was in treatment, I was treated as a human with respect and empathy for the first time in a long time rather than just an addict with mental health issues thinking I had no choice but to live in shame and embarrassment. This taught me that no matter where you are in life, you deserve to be treated the same. I have been active in Alcoholics Anonymous since getting sober on January 6, 2020. I established a new AA meeting district’s Good About Today in Candia, NH, which is a meeting about gratitude while volunteering as our Group Service Representative for our district. I also sponsor other women and work with my sponsor daily. With a cumulative GPA of 3.861, I have been on the honor roll during my entire academic career at SNHU. I am an active member of the PSA – Psychology Student Association and I was inducted into the PSI CHI – The International Honor Society in Psychology in the Spring of 2023. Going into my senior year, I have completed over 200 internship hours and passed the State of New Hampshire certification for Certified Recovery Support Worker. While doing all this I have achieved over 3 ½ years of sobriety and sponsored other women as well as having a service position at my home group as a General Service Representative for my district in the State of New Hampshire. While logging over 200 volunteer hours at Live Free Recovery Services of New Hampshire, one of the only treatment facilities that take Medicaid, I have been able to work with people struggling with addiction and mental health issues to overcome barriers to treatment and sobriety. As a Volunteer Ambassador at the local Veteran’s Hospital, I am gaining real-life experience working with veterans in crisis, which personally is an important issue to me as I come from a family of veterans. With my education at SNHU as well as the volunteer work at the Veteran's Hospital and at Live Free Recovery, I am learning to give back to my community. With my degree, the impact of receiving this degree will help provide others with the support they need to also overcome mental health issues while battling addiction. This also provides me with a sense of accomplishment giving back. The community will be impacted as I will be focusing on both disadvantaged women and veterans, both of which are large groups of people in crisis.

My name is Melissa Perkins, and I am a recovering alcoholic. Mental health and suicide are also part of my story. It took me a long time to be able to say those words without shame, embarrassment, fear, or ridicule. As a person in recovery, I am learning to live a happy life while balancing mental health and addiction. As someone with a dual diagnosis, I never knew that depression and addiction are diseases. Dealing with the “Why can’t you stop?” questions from loved ones were also so difficult because I never knew why I could not stop. I thought I had a choice and was just unable to stop. It took a long-time to learn about my disease to make me realize that there are so many others that think the same way. Learning to live a happy life while balancing mental health and addiction is no small feat and as a person who has learned to cope with it, I want to help others accomplish this as well. I want others to realize that they do not have to live with the stigma without getting help and they too can accomplish anything they set their minds to. It is never too late in life to live a happy healthy life. When I was in treatment, I was treated as a human with respect and empathy for the first time in a long time rather than just an addict with mental health issues. This taught me that no matter where you are in life, you deserve to be treated the same. With my education at SNHU as well as the volunteer work at the Veteran's Hospital and internship I have done at Live Free Recovery Services, I am learning the importance of giving back to my community. My goal after graduation is to continue to work with those from disadvantaged backgrounds as well as those who have served our country. While in treatment, I understood that I had not been happy in my profession for quite some time. While trying to figure out what to do with my life, I decided to go back to college at the age of forty-eight to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in mental health and addiction with a minor in Sociology. While logging over 200 internship hours at Live Free Recovery Services of New Hampshire, one of the only treatment facilities that take Medicaid, I have been able to work with people struggling with addiction and mental health issues that are less fortunate including people that are homeless, part of drug court, working on a reunification program for their children as well as those who don’t have the financial means to attend one of the well know private treatment centers. As a Volunteer Ambassador at the local Veteran’s Hospital, I am gaining real-life experience working with veterans in crisis, which personally is a critical issue to me as I come from a family of veterans. After graduation, my goal is to continue to work with those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Those are the most underrepresented. They too deserve a voice and I feel that I can be that voice to advocate for them.

My name is Melissa Perkins, and I am a recovering alcoholic. Mental health and suicide are also part of my story. It took me a long time to be able to say those words without shame, embarrassment, fear, or ridicule. As a person in recovery, I am learning to live a happy life while balancing mental health and addiction. As someone with a dual diagnosis, I never knew that depression and addiction are diseases. Dealing with the “Why can’t you stop?” questions from loved ones were also so difficult because I never knew why I could not stop. I thought I had a choice and was just unable to stop. It took a long-time to learn about my disease to make me realize that there are so many others that think the same way. Learning to live a happy life while balancing mental health and addiction is no small feat and as a person who has learned to cope with it, I want to help others accomplish this as well. My goal is to become a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor and help others. I want others to realize that they do not have to live with the stigma without getting help and they too can accomplish anything they set their minds to. It is never too late in life to live a happy healthy life. When I was in treatment, I was treated as a human with respect and empathy for the first time in a long time rather than just an addict with mental health issues. This taught me that no matter where you are in life, you deserve to be treated the same. With my education at SNHU as well as the volunteer work at the Veteran's Hospital and internship I've done at Live Free Recovery Services, I am learning the importance of giving back to my community. My goal after graduation is to continue to work with those from disadvantaged backgrounds as well as those who have served our country. While in treatment, I understood that I had not been happy in my profession for quite some time. While trying to figure out what to do with my life, I decided to go back to college at the age of 48 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in mental health and addiction with a minor in Sociology. While logging over 200 internship hours at Live Free Recovery Services of New Hampshire, one of the only treatment facilities that take Medicaid, I have been able to work with people struggling with addiction and mental health issues that are less fortunate including people that are homeless, drug court, working on a reunification program for their children as well as those who don’t have the financial means to attend one of the well know private treatment centers. As a Volunteer Ambassador at the local Veteran’s Hospital, I am gaining real-life experience working with veterans in crisis, which personally is an important issue to me as I come from a family of veterans.

My name is Melissa Perkins, and I am a recovering alcoholic. Mental health and suicide are also part of my story. It took me a long time to be able to say those words without shame, embarrassment, or ridicule. As someone with a dual diagnosis, I never knew that depression and addiction are diseases. Dealing with the “Why can’t you stop?” questions from loved ones was also so difficult because I never knew why I could not stop. I thought I had a choice and was just unable to stop. It took a long time learning about my disease to make me realize that there are so many others that think the same way. I successfully completed three rehabilitation programs: detox, partial hospitalization program, and intensive outpatient program. After completing detox, I knew that I needed further help and could not get well on my own. After speaking with my family and treatment team, I decided that my best option to get better was to enter an extended care treatment facility, which lasted ten months. I received treatment for my dual diagnosis at Avenues Recovery Center in New England. Today I am three years sober and not a day goes by that I am not thankful that I am still here to tell my story. While in treatment, I understood that I had not been happy in my profession for quite some time. While trying to figure out what to do with my life, I decided to go back to college at the age of 49 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in mental health. While this was scary to do at a late age in life, I felt I had gone through so much that I could not help but give to others what was given to me. I want to help others to realize they too can overcome the feelings of shame and embarrassment that comes with the stigma of mental illness and addiction. I knew early on in treatment that I wanted to work in recovery, and it quickly became clear to me that I wanted to become a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor. The LDAC’s that I have worked with have been an integral part of my process and I too would like to provide the same support to others in early recovery. While the process of applying was easy, mental health issues were a big question mark. Would I be able to sit through a class and learn? I was always the person who never asked for help. I have learned that it is OK to ask for help. Today I meet with my academic advisor weekly, to keep me accountable and to ask for help should I start to feel overwhelmed. I also meet with the Accommodations Department, who provide invaluable support including class notes, extended time to take exams, and a quiet place to take them. I also get help from our learning center. They have also been an integral part of my education. They have helped me with learning how to write an APA-style paper and be able to navigate statistics and other difficult areas of study. And most important, I have had an open and honest dialogue with my professors about my experience, strength, and hope. While I am older than the students, it took a lot of work to overcome my self-confidence issues to be an active student on campus. I am a member of the Psychology Student Association. I work with the Student Association in conjunction with my non-profit, KAT USA, which is a 501©3 Non-Profit that funds an animal shelter in Nepal. I actively seek out other students in my degree program and my professors to bounce ideas off. Learning to live a happy life while balancing mental health and addiction is no small feat and as a person who has learned to cope with it, I want to help others accomplish this as well. My goal is to become a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor and help others with dual-diagnosis diseases. I want others to realize that they do not have to live with the stigma without getting help and they too can accomplish anything they set their minds to. It is never too late in life to live a happy healthy life. With the guidance of my former therapist from Avenues Recovery, I became a group facilitator at Live Free. Live Free is one of two treatment facilities in Manchester, NH that accepts Medicaid and our clients typically come to us via court order, DCYF reunification program, and various shelters and social service providers in the state. While observing my first process group I left Live Free that day with a sense of purpose and excitement. For the first time in a long time, I felt I was exactly where I was supposed to be doing what I was meant to do. During the semester I logged 125 hours for my internship as well as completed the NH Certified Recovery Support Worker (CRSW) Peer Recovery Coach Training which included a 30-hour Peer Recovery Coach Training, 6-hour Suicide Prevention for Non-clinical Workers, 6 hours HIV/AIDS, and 12-hour Ethical Foundations for Recovery Coaches. I also passed the CRSW exam for the State of New Hampshire. With a cumulative GPA of 3.861, I have been on the honor roll during my entire academic career at SNHU. I am an active member of PSA – Psychology Student Association and I was inducted in the PSI CHI – The International Honor Society in Psychology in the Spring of 2023. Going into my senior year, I have completed over 200 internship hours and passed the State of New Hampshire certification for Certified Recovery Support Worker. While doing all this I have achieved over 3 ½ years of sobriety and sponsor other women as well as having a service position at my home group as a General Service Representative for my district in the State of New Hampshire.

My name is Melissa Perkins, and I am a recovering alcoholic. Mental health and suicide are also part of my story. It took me a long time to be able to say those words without shame, embarrassment, or ridicule. As someone with a dual diagnosis, I never knew that depression and addiction are diseases. Dealing with the “Why can’t you stop?” questions from loved ones was also so difficult because I never knew why I could not stop. I thought I had a choice and was just unable to stop. It took a long time learning about my disease to make me realize that there are so many others that think the same way. I successfully completed three rehabilitation programs: detox, partial hospitalization program, and intensive outpatient program. After completing detox, I knew that I needed further help and could not get well on my own. After speaking with my family and treatment team, I decided that my best option to get better was to enter an extended care treatment facility, which lasted ten months. I received treatment for my dual diagnosis at Avenues Recovery Center in New England. Today I am three years sober and not a day goes by that I am not thankful that I am still here to tell my story. While in treatment, I understood that I had not been happy in my profession for quite some time. While trying to figure out what to do with my life, I decided to go back to college at the age of 49 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in mental health. While this was scary to do at a late age in life, I felt I had gone through so much that I could not help but give to others what was given to me. I want to help others to realize they too can overcome the feelings of shame and embarrassment that comes with the stigma of mental illness and addiction. I knew early on in treatment that I wanted to work in recovery, and it quickly became clear to me that I wanted to become a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor. The LDAC’s that I have worked with have been an integral part of my process and I too would like to provide the same support to others in early recovery. While the process of applying was easy, mental health issues were a big question mark. Would I be able to sit through a class and learn? I was always the person who never asked for help. I have learned that it is OK to ask for help. Today I meet with my academic advisor weekly, to keep me accountable and to ask for help should I start to feel overwhelmed. I also meet with the Accommodations Department, who provide invaluable support including class notes, extended time to take exams, and a quiet place to take them. I also get help from our learning center. They have also been an integral part of my education. They have helped me with learning how to write an APA-style paper and be able to navigate statistics and other difficult areas of study. And most important, I have had an open and honest dialogue with my professors about my experience, strength, and hope. While I am older than the students, it took a lot of work to overcome my self-confidence issues to be an active student on campus. I am a member of the Psychology Student Association. I work with the Student Association in conjunction with my non-profit, KAT USA, which is a 501©3 Non-Profit that funds an animal shelter in Nepal. I also volunteer at the Veterans Administration as an ambassador for those in crisis. Learning to live a happy life while balancing mental health and addiction is no small feat and as a person who has learned to cope with it, I want to help others accomplish this as well. My goal is to become a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor and help others with dual-diagnosis diseases. I want others to realize that they do not have to live with the stigma without getting help and they too can accomplish anything they set their minds to. It is never too late in life to live a happy healthy life. With the guidance of my former therapist from Avenues Recovery, I became a group facilitator at Live Free. Live Free is one of two treatment facilities in Manchester, NH that accepts Medicaid and our clients typically come to us via court order, DCYF reunification program, and various shelters and social service providers in the state. While observing my first process group I left Live Free that day with a sense of purpose and excitement. For the first time in a long time, I felt I was exactly where I was supposed to be doing what I was meant to do. During the semester I logged 125 hours for my internship as well as completed the NH Certified Recovery Support Worker (CRSW) Peer Recovery Coach Training which included a 30-hour Peer Recovery Coach Training, 6-hour Suicide Prevention for Non-clinical Workers, 6 hours HIV/AIDS, and 12-hour Ethical Foundations for Recovery Coaches. I also passed the CRSW exam for the State of New Hampshire. With a cumulative GPA of 3.861, I have been on the honor roll during my entire academic career at SNHU. I am an active member of PSA – Psychology Student Association and I was inducted in the PSI CHI – The International Honor Society in Psychology in the Spring of 2023. Going into my senior year, I have completed over 200 internship hours and passed the State of New Hampshire certification for Certified Recovery Support Worker. While doing all this I have achieved over 3 ½ years of sobriety and sponsor other women as well as having a service position at my home group as a General Service Representative for my district in the State of New Hampshire.

Learning to live a happy life while balancing mental health and addiction is no small feat and as a person who has learned to cope with it, I want to help others accomplish this as well. My goal is to become a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor and help others. I want others to realize that they do not have to live with the stigma without getting help and they too can accomplish anything they set their minds to. It is never too late in life to live a happy healthy life. When I was in treatment, I was treated as a human with respect and empathy for the first time in a long time rather than just an addict with mental health issues. This taught me that no matter where you are in life, you deserve to be treated the same. With my education at SNHU as well as the volunteer work at the Veteran's Hospital and internship I've done at Live Free Recovery Services, I am learning the importance of giving back to my community. My goal after graduation is to continue to work with those from disadvantaged backgrounds as well as those who have served our country. While in treatment, I understood that I had not been happy in my profession for quite some time. While trying to figure out what to do with my life, I decided to go back to college at the age of 48 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in mental health and addiction with a minor in Sociology. With a cumulative GPA of 3.861, I have been on the honor roll during my entire academic career at SNHU. I am an active member of PSA – Psychology Student Association and I was inducted in the PSI CHI – The International Honor Society in Psychology in the Spring of 2023. Going into my senior year, I have completed over 200 internship hours and passed the State of New Hampshire certification for Certified Recovery Support Worker. While doing all this I have achieved over 3 ½ years of sobriety and sponsored other women as well as having a service position at my home group as a General Service Representative for my district in the State of New Hampshire. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in mental health and addiction with a minor in sociology from Southern New Hampshire University, it is my wish to become a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor (LDAC). The education that I am receiving is preparing me to work with others in recovery to help them overcome their addictions and mental health issues. My professors, the psychology department, and my academic advisors have worked with me in creating an academic program tailored to my needs to facilitate getting my LADC. This includes extensive internship hours and an independent study to focus on addiction issues including pharmacology and addiction studies. Community Impact: Describe your community involvement activities. Share your positive impact in your local communities, which can include your school, work, religion, or other local community. (200 words or less) While logging over 200 internship hours at Live Free Recovery Services of New Hampshire, one of the only treatment facilities that take Medicaid, I have been able to work with people struggling with addiction and mental health issues that are less fortunate including people that are homeless, drug court, working a reunification program for their children as well as those who don’t have the financial means to attend one of the well know private treatment centers. As a Volunteer Ambassador at the local Veteran’s Hospital, I am gaining real-life experience working with veterans in crisis, which personally is an important issue to me as I come from a family of veterans. I have also been active in Alcoholics Anonymous since entering sobriety on January 6, 2020. I established a new AA meeting called What’s Good About Today in Candia, NH, which is a meeting about gratitude. I am the Group Service Representative for our districting and meeting. I also sponsor other women and work with my sponsor daily.

My name is Melissa Perkins, and I am a recovering alcoholic. Mental health and suicide are also part of my story. It took me a long time to be able to say those words without shame, embarrassment, fear, or ridicule. As a person in recovery, I am learning to live a happy life while balancing mental health and addiction. My goal is to become a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor. I want others to realize that they do not have to live with the stigma without getting help and they too can accomplish anything they set their minds to. When I was in treatment, I was treated as a human with respect and empathy for the first time in a long time rather than just an addict with mental health issues thinking I had no choice but to live in shame and embarrassment. This taught me that no matter where you are in life, you deserve to be treated the same. I have been active in Alcoholics Anonymous since getting sober on January 6, 2020. I established a new AA meeting district’s Good About Today in Candia, NH, which is a meeting about gratitude while volunteering as our Group Service Representative for our district. I also sponsor other women and work with my sponsor daily. While logging over 200 internship hours at Live Free Recovery Services of New Hampshire, one of the only treatment facilities that take Medicaid, I have been able to work with people struggling with addiction and mental health issues that are less fortunate including people that are homeless, drug court, working an on reunification program for their children as well as those who don’t have the financial means to attend one of the well know private treatment centers. As a Volunteer Ambassador at the local Veteran’s Hospital, I am gaining real-life experience working with veterans in crisis, which personally is an important issue to me as I come from a family of veterans. With my education at SNHU as well as the volunteer work at the Veteran's Hospital and internship I have done at Live Free Recovery, I am learning to give back to my community. With my degree, the impact of receiving this degree will help provide others with the support they need to also overcome mental health issues while battling addiction. This also provides me with a sense of accomplishment giving back. The community will be impacted as I will be focusing on both disadvantaged women and veterans, both of which are large groups of people in crisis. The projected monthly expenses associated with pursuing my education include my mortgage and condominium fee of $1,500, fuel for traveling to school, which is approximately $250, my car payment of $484, and food which is $300 a month. This does not consider monthly expenses such as medical, utilities, etc. As I am currently on Social Security Disability, my monthly income often falls short of meeting my basic needs. I am on a return-to-work program through the New Hampshire Vocational Rehabilitation Program, which helps those with Social Security Disability achieve success to re-enter the workforce after a disability. Not having enough money to pay for basic needs such as shelter and transportation, I often worry about how I will continue to meet basic needs. Receiving a scholarship will help alleviate the anxiety that I feel every month about how I will pay my bills.

My name is Melissa Perkins, and I am a recovering alcoholic. Mental health and suicide are also part of my story. It took me a long time to be able to say those words without shame, embarrassment, fear, or ridicule. As a person in recovery, I am learning to live a happy life while balancing mental health and addiction. My goal is to become a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor. I want others to realize that they do not have to live with the stigma without getting help and they too can accomplish anything they set their minds to. When I was in treatment, I was treated as a human with respect and empathy for the first time in a long time rather than just an addict with mental health issues thinking I had no choice but to live in shame and embarrassment. This taught me that no matter where you are in life, you deserve to be treated the same. I have been active in Alcoholics Anonymous since getting sober on January 6, 2020. I established a new AA meeting district’s Good About Today in Candia, NH, which is a meeting about gratitude while volunteering as our Group Service Representative for our district. I also sponsor other women and work with my sponsor daily. While logging over 200 internship hours at Live Free Recovery Services of New Hampshire, one of the only treatment facilities that take Medicaid, I have been able to work with people struggling with addiction and mental health issues that are less fortunate including people that are homeless, drug court, working an on reunification program for their children as well as those who don’t have the financial means to attend one of the well know private treatment centers. As a Volunteer Ambassador at the local Veteran’s Hospital, I am gaining real-life experience working with veterans in crisis, which personally is an important issue to me as I come from a family of veterans. With my education at SNHU as well as the volunteer work at the Veteran's Hospital and internship I have done at Live Free Recovery, I am learning to give back to my community. With my degree, the impact of receiving this degree will help provide others with the support they need to also overcome mental health issues while battling addiction. This also provides me with a sense of accomplishment giving back. The community will be impacted as I will be focusing on both disadvantaged women and veterans, both of which are large groups of people in crisis. The projected monthly expenses associated with pursuing my education include my mortgage and condominium fee of $1,500, fuel for traveling to school, which is approximately $250, my car payment of $484, and food which is $300 a month. This does not consider monthly expenses such as medical, utilities, etc. As I am currently on Social Security Disability, my monthly income often falls short of meeting my basic needs. I am on a return-to-work program through the New Hampshire Vocational Rehabilitation Program, which helps those with Social Security Disability achieve success to re-enter the workforce after a disability. Not having enough money to pay for basic needs such as shelter and transportation, I often worry about how I will continue to meet basic needs. Receiving a scholarship will help alleviate the anxiety that I feel every month about how I will pay my bills.

My name is Melissa Perkins, and I am a recovering alcoholic. Mental health and suicide are also part of my story. It took me a long time to be able to say those words without shame, embarrassment, fear, or ridicule. As a person in recovery, I am learning to live a happy life while balancing mental health and addiction. My goal is to become a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor. I want others to realize that they do not have to live with the stigma without getting help and they too can accomplish anything they set their minds to. When I was in treatment, I was treated as a human with respect and empathy for the first time in a long time rather than just an addict with mental health issues thinking I had no choice but to live in shame and embarrassment. This taught me that no matter where you are in life, you deserve to be treated the same. I have been active in Alcoholics Anonymous since getting sober on January 6, 2020. I established a new AA meeting district’s Good About Today in Candia, NH, which is a meeting about gratitude while volunteering as our Group Service Representative for our district. I also sponsor other women and work with my sponsor daily. While logging over 200 internship hours at Live Free Recovery Services of New Hampshire, one of the only treatment facilities that take Medicaid, I have been able to work with people struggling with addiction and mental health issues that are less fortunate including people that are homeless, drug court, working an on reunification program for their children as well as those who don’t have the financial means to attend one of the well know private treatment centers. As a Volunteer Ambassador at the local Veteran’s Hospital, I am gaining real-life experience working with veterans in crisis, which personally is an important issue to me as I come from a family of veterans. With my education at SNHU as well as the volunteer work at the Veteran's Hospital and internship I have done at Live Free Recovery, I am learning to give back to my community. With my degree, the impact of receiving this degree will help provide others with the support they need to also overcome mental health issues while battling addiction. This also provides me with a sense of accomplishment giving back. The community will be impacted as I will be focusing on both disadvantaged women and veterans, both of which are large groups of people in crisis. The projected monthly expenses associated with pursuing my education include my mortgage and condominium fee of $1,500, fuel for traveling to school, which is approximately $250, my car payment of $484, and food which is $300 a month. This does not consider monthly expenses such as medical, utilities, etc. As I am currently on Social Security Disability, my monthly income often falls short of meeting my basic needs. I am on a return-to-work program through the New Hampshire Vocational Rehabilitation Program, which helps those with Social Security Disability achieve success to re-enter the workforce after a disability. Not having enough money to pay for basic needs such as shelter and transportation, I often worry about how I will continue to meet basic needs. Receiving a scholarship will help alleviate the anxiety that I feel every month about how I will pay my bills.

As someone with a dual diagnosis, I never knew that depression and addiction are diseases. Dealing with the “Why can’t you stop?” questions from loved ones was also so difficult because I never knew why I could not stop. I thought I had a choice and was just unable to stop. It took a long time learning about my disease to make me realize that there are so many others that think the same way. I successfully completed three rehabilitation programs: 1) detox, 2) partial hospitalization program, and 3) intensive outpatient program. After completing detox, I knew that I needed further help and could not get well on my own. After speaking with my family and the treatment team, I decided that my best option to get better was to enter an extended care treatment facility, which lasted ten months. I received treatment for my dual diagnosis at Avenues Recovery Center at New England. Today I am three years sober and not a day goes by that I am not thankful that I am still here to tell my story. While I was in treatment, I was let go from my job as I could not commit to a return-to-work date early on in treatment. I was able to go on Social Security Disability. Today I am still on it and have a Return-To-Work ticket through the State of New Hampshire and the Department of Education through Social Security. This allows me to focus on my education while maintaining my monthly disability payments. While in treatment, I understood that I had not been happy in my profession for quite some time. While trying to figure out what to do with my life, I decided to go back to college at the age of 49 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in mental health. While this was scary to do at a late age in life, I felt I had gone through so much that I could not help but give to others what was given to me. I want to help others to realize they too can overcome the feelings of shame and embarrassment that come with the stigma of mental illness and addiction. I knew early on in treatment that I wanted to work in recovery, and it quickly became clear to me that I wanted to become a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor. The LDACs that I have worked with have been an integral part of my process and I too would like to provide the same support to others in early recovery. Learning to live a happy life while balancing mental health and addiction is no small feat and as a person who has learned to cope with it, I want to help others accomplish this as well. My goal is to become a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor and help others with dual-diagnosis diseases. I want others to realize that they do not have to live with the stigma without getting help and they too can accomplish anything they set their minds to. It is never too late in life to live a happy healthy life.

My name is Melissa Perkins, and I am a non-traditional student who returned to school to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in addiction counseling and mental health with a minor in sociology. When I was in treatment, I knew that I wanted to help people. The idea of helping someone go through what I had gone through was appealing to me. Recovery means to me several things. It includes working my program every day, sponsoring other women, and having a service position as a General Service Representative in my district. It also means being available to other women in my network as sober support. Learning to live a happy life while balancing mental health and addiction is no small feat and as a person who has learned to cope with it, I want to help others accomplish this as well. My goal is to become a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor and help others with dual-diagnosis diseases. I want others to realize that they do not have to live with the stigma without getting help and they too can accomplish anything they set their minds to. It is never too late in life to live a happy healthy life.

Hello. My name is Melissa Perkins, and I am a non-traditional student who returned to school to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in mental health with a minor is sociology. I first attended school right out of high school. I went to the University of Southern Maine, where I was studying to get my bachelor’s degree in Business. Our family always struggled financially, and I paid for college myself. I ran out of money and had to make the difficult decision to stop going to school and go to work. After a lot of interviewing, I took a job in the insurance sector working for a broker who specialized in Aviation. I quickly grew to love it. It is a unique business and a small community. During my professional career, I have only had three jobs. Of those three I was laid off from two. The first one in 2018. I was devastated. I have a very good work ethic and am a loyal employee. I was very cocky and thought I would find a job quickly. Quickly turned into fifteen months. I was repeated told that I was either overqualified or underqualified. This affected my confidence. I took my last job in July 2019 and thought I would be all set. During my first six months I struggled with mental health and physical health issues. I sought treatment in early 2020 thinking I would take some time to heal and be good to go back to work. Then the pandemic hit, which was a blessing in disguise. It gave me some extra time to work on my health. Then in April 2020 I received a letter from my employer terminating my employment. At the time I had already started questioning if it made sense for me to return to the aviation industry. I decided to focus on my health and until the summer of 2021 that is exactly what I did. I learned balance, self-confidence, and a love of baking. By the time I got the letter from my employer terminating my position, it was a relief. I knew that going back to my job was not a healthy choice for me. With the extended medical treatment I received, I also endured quite a few financial hardships. I went from working in Boston making a lot of money to barely being able to pay my mortgage. I was fortunate that I was able to work with my mortgage company and keep my house. Because I took a job that was not a good fit for me ethically, when I left that employ after three weeks in September 2019, after I had been laid off the first time, I lost my unemployment. You work your whole life thinking you have planned financially for any scenario, but things do not go according to plan. I had no choice but to file bankruptcy in 2020 to save my home. This was a very humbling experience, but I am thankful that I was able to keep my home. When I was in medical treatment, I knew that I wanted to help people. The idea of helping someone go through what I had gone through was appealing to me. I started to look at different career options and I quickly became interested in psychology. My hope is to finish my undergraduate degree and then work on my master’s degree.

Hello. My name is Melissa Perkins, and I am a non-traditional student who returned to school to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in mental health with a minor is sociology. I first attended school right out of high school. I went to the University of Southern Maine, where I was studying to get my bachelor’s degree in Business. Our family always struggled financially, and I paid for college myself. I ran out of money and had to make the difficult decision to stop going to school and go to work. After a lot of interviewing, I took a job in the insurance sector working for a broker who specialized in Aviation. I quickly grew to love it. It is a unique business and a small community. During my professional career, I have only had three jobs. Of those three I was laid off from two. The first one in 2018. I was devastated. I have a very good work ethic and am a loyal employee. I was very cocky and thought I would find a job quickly. Quickly turned into fifteen months. I was repeated told that I was either overqualified or underqualified. This affected my confidence. I took my last job in July 2019 and thought I would be all set. During my first six months I struggled with mental health and physical health issues. I sought treatment in early 2020 thinking I would take some time to heal and be good to go back to work. Then the pandemic hit, which was a blessing in disguise. It gave me some extra time to work on my health. Then in April 2020 I received a letter from my employer terminating my employment. At the time I had already started questioning if it made sense for me to return to the aviation industry. I decided to focus on my health and until the summer of 2021 that is exactly what I did. I learned balance, self-confidence, and a love of baking. By the time I got the letter from my employer terminating my position, it was a relief. I knew that going back to my job was not a healthy choice for me. With the extended medical treatment I received, I also endured quite a few financial hardships. I went from working in Boston making a lot of money to barely being able to pay my mortgage. I was fortunate that I was able to work with my mortgage company and keep my house. Because I took a job that was not a good fit for me ethically, when I left that employ after three weeks in September 2019, after I had been laid off the first time, I lost my unemployment. You work your whole life thinking you have planned financially for any scenario, but things do not go according to plan. I had no choice but to file bankruptcy in 2020 to save my home. This was a very humbling experience, but I am thankful that I was able to keep my home. When I was in medical treatment, I knew that I wanted to help people. The idea of helping someone go through what I had gone through was appealing to me. I started to look at different career options and I quickly became interested in psychology. My hope is to finish my undergraduate degree and then work on my master’s degree.

Hello. My name is Melissa Perkins, and I am a non-traditional student who returned to school to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in mental health with a minor is sociology. I first attended school right out of high school. I went to the University of Southern Maine, where I was studying to get my bachelor’s degree in Business. Our family always struggled financially, and I paid for college myself. I ran out of money and had to make the difficult decision to stop going to school and go to work. After a lot of interviewing, I took a job in the insurance sector working for a broker who specialized in Aviation. I quickly grew to love it. It is a unique business and a small community. During my professional career, I have only had three jobs. Of those three I was laid off from two. The first one in 2018. I was devastated. I have a very good work ethic and am a loyal employee. I was very cocky and thought I would find a job quickly. Quickly turned into fifteen months. I was repeated told that I was either overqualified or underqualified. This affected my confidence. I took my last job in July 2019 and thought I would be all set. During my first six months I struggled with mental health and physical health issues. I sought treatment in early 2020 thinking I would take some time to heal and be good to go back to work. Then the pandemic hit, which was a blessing in disguise. It gave me some extra time to work on my health. Then in April 2020 I received a letter from my employer terminating my employment. At the time I had already started questioning if it made sense for me to return to the aviation industry. I decided to focus on my health and until the summer of 2021 that is exactly what I did. I learned balance, self-confidence, and a love of baking. By the time I got the letter from my employer terminating my position, it was a relief. I knew that going back to my job was not a healthy choice for me. With the extended medical treatment I received, I also endured quite a few financial hardships. I went from working in Boston making a lot of money to barely being able to pay my mortgage. I was fortunate that I was able to work with my mortgage company and keep my house. Because I took a job that was not a good fit for me ethically, when I left that employ after three weeks in September 2019, after I had been laid off the first time, I lost my unemployment. You work your whole life thinking you have planned financially for any scenario, but things do not go according to plan. I had no choice but to file bankruptcy in 2020 to save my home. This was a very humbling experience, but I am thankful that I was able to keep my home. When I was in medical treatment, I knew that I wanted to help people. The idea of helping someone go through what I had gone through was appealing to me. I started to look at different career options and I quickly became interested in psychology. My hope is to finish my undergraduate degree and then work on my master’s degree.