Driving down the interstate at a wavering 70mph, I frantically attempt to keep the doors locked. In the backseat, my older sister continuously tries to unlock and open the door. After several attempts and many confusing and heartbreaking words, my mom pulls onto the side of the road adjoining an isolated Iowan field. I listen in silence as my sister spills her hatred towards our family and her life. I remember thinking back on our childhood in this moment, desperately calculating where I’d wronged her. In reality, I hadn’t; my sister had been struggling with Generalized Anxiety Disorder for many years. The truth is, there have been several experiences similar to this throughout my life. Whether it’s an outpouring of emotion on a late-night drive, seeing someone deactivate all of their social media pages, or receiving a myriad of texts from someone saying goodbye, I’ve witnessed many friends and family members at their lowest. It doesn’t matter whether someone has insulted, bullied, even hated you; listening to anyone, especially someone you deeply care about devalue their own life is a terrifying experience. My relationship with my family has never been ideal, often initiating much of the inner conflict that has pestered me throughout my youth, but hearing my own sister expel all of the anguish and resentment towards me and my family was a nightmare I never want to experience again. I now understand the amount of pain and sorrow that burdened my sister in those times, causing her to lash out in the way she did so often. Many I know have also turned to substance abuse in order to merely feel normal again. These experiences drive my passion for humanitarianism and education in psychology. Considering this, I knew I needed to get involved in my community and school to put my beliefs into action. Thankfully, my local church had given me the opportunity to intern in the youth program. I was able to guide junior high kids through their questions about life and their faith. I also worked on a team that led major charity events and even earned a role on a selective student team that participated in interviewing potential candidates for a significant role within the youth program. These activities solidified my passion for humanitarianism and psychology. I believe innovative and continuing research in psychology and the mental health field will improve universal techniques in managing and battling the perpetual fight against mental illness. The struggle to live everyday life with the mayhem of inner turmoil has become a normal occurrence in the life of millions across the globe. Consequences deriving from untreated mental instability are exactly why the study of psychology is a necessity. I hope to use the science and education of psychology to eradicate the obstacles that mental illness brings to the growth of intellectual and emotional maturity. I’m ecstatic to be given the opportunity to pursue these ambitions through education and have confidence in my ability to succeed.