There are many different ways to help someone: providing physical labor, material goods, advice, or even simply being there for them. While every method of helping someone provides some value, I aim to help others by pursuing a career in psychiatry and helping people navigate their own mental struggles. Despite the growing emphasis put on mental health in today's society, many people do not receive the treatment that is necessary for them to get better on an individual level. Many patients with psychiatric conditions feel misunderstood or unheard which may cause them to push back against their treatment. This is something that I understand personally, not only from my own share of struggles with mental health, but also because of my experience working as a patient care assistant in a psychiatric hospital. What led me into the field of mental health was my own struggles with depression and suicide as a teenager. This eventually led to me being admitted into an inpatient treatment facility for youth where I was able to get the care I needed. One moment that happened which would come to shape my future was the interactions I had with my roommate. When he arrived, he was cold and indifferent to everyone, with the mentality that he was going to isolate himself and avoid interaction so he could get out as soon as possible. I recognized his struggle as I related to it and encouraged him to do things like sit with the group of friends I had made at meals and participate more in group therapy. What seemed like just a simple act of kindness in pushing him a little bit ended up completely changing his experience there. He told me before I left that my actions helped show that other people were like him and that he could reach out for help. This may seem like an insignificant event, but it really helped grow my passion to help others. This passion was only furthered when I started working as a PCA this past year. I had long considered a career in psychiatry before this, but being the frontline of support for adult patients and making a real difference in their treatment only proved to me that helping people was the only call for me. Helping patients does not always mean sitting and being their therapist, it can be as simple as giving them a blanket when they need comfort, coming in with a smile and good attitude, or reassuring them they are safe. These seemingly small moments of connection make all the difference in treating someone. My experience at the facility I work at has only shown me that I am on my right path. I know for a fact that helping others get through and address their mental struggles is my calling in life and that I will make a meaningful difference in others lives by doing so. As a psychiatrist, I will use my experience gained from my own struggles, my interaction with the hundreds of patients I have seen in the past, and my affinity for empathy to provide compassionate care that will make my patients feel seen. This scholarship will only help me achieve this goal by reducing the stress of the costs that come with application into medical school. The costs associated with applications, travel, and preparation materials are often extreme and give me a lot of stress as I am from a lower income background. By lessening this stress, I will be able to focus on continuing my education and being the help in others lives that they need.

Unfortunately, cancer is something that my family is all too familiar with. While it has caused my family a lot of mental anguish, it has also served us by teaching us lessons we otherwise may have not learned. When I was 12 years old, my family moved from California to Missouri due to the financial strain that came with living in california. This was a huge adjustment for our family as the culture was very different but also we had no family even remotely close to us. As we faced this new challenge an even greater foe was brought upon us: my mom was diagnosed with colon cancer. Being that my mom has always been the backbone of the house, it was very difficult to watch her struggle and suffer. The bubbly, fun, and energetic person she normally is was dampened by her chemotherapy which left her quiet, frail, and tired. After her colectomy and subsequent treatment, neither I nor my brother were allowed near her as her immune system had been compromised and we could not risk any infection. While she has made a full recovery and has remained cancer free since, the anxiety from this experience lingers in our family. Unfortunately, this was not our families only bout with cancer, as just a couple years later, my dad was diagnosed with melanoma. Even though his condition and treatment was not as serious as my moms, it resurfaced the anxiety that we had faced when my mom had cancer and reminded us of how fragile things can be. Despite all of this, I am extremely grateful that both of my parents were able to come out on top as survivors of cancer. Both of their battles taught me two important lessons that I use to guide myself to this day: to cherish what I have while I have it and to keep fighting with a resilient mindset. While I was one of the people that were fortunate enough to keep my loved ones, many others have their loved ones stripped from them by cancer. My parents fights taught me that life can quickly change and that we should express our love and appreciation for others while we still can. Had my parents' diagnoses came later, it is possible that my reality would have been very different. Their resilience has shaped me and inspired me to be one who has the capability to persevere through difficult situations. Their strength has fueled my determination to get into med school and eventually become a doctor of medicine. As I prepare for admissions, I carry the things that my parents and their experience has taught me, aiming to provide medical care that is compassionate and leads to better outcomes. This scholarship would help to alleviate the financial burden of medical admissions. Things like applications, travel expenses for interviews, and preparation materials are very expensive and are difficult for my family given the weight of our past medical bills. More importantly though, it would help boost me into my journey of becoming a physician who is not only able to treat peoples illness but offer the empathy and support that families like mine and others need in difficult times.

Addiction is a powerful vice that people often fall into due to circumstances beyond their control or by accident. In America, support for those struggling with addiction is lacking, leaving victims to drown alone or forcing their loved ones to pick up the pieces of a broken person. One person I personally saw struggle with addiction was my aunt. During my early childhood, my aunt dealt with substance abuse issues as a coping mechanism for her psychological problems. This led to excessive drinking and a DUI incident one night. Before this happened, she was an EMT driver, but she was unfortunately let go from her career due to this incident. This completely shifted the course of her life and caused her to spiral for a few years, eventually turning to harder drugs such as crack and other opiates. Fortunately, she was able to make it out of the pit she found herself in, mostly due to the help our family was privileged enough to provide. Despite our support, the journey of betterment was not easy for us. Just as my aunt struggled with her vices, we struggled to watch her in such a bad place. This problem is not unique to our family; many others face even greater challenges, including death and prison time. In my career, I will help those struggling with addiction by intentionally serving those who are victims of these vices and helping them to better themselves psychologically. I plan on entering the field of psychiatry after medical school because I want to help those who struggle with the same kinds of mental problems that people like my aunt and even myself have faced, which lead to unfortunate circumstances. The root of addiction often lies in underlying mental health issues, which cause individuals to fall victim to substances as a coping mechanism. By reaching out to those who don't have the help that people like my aunt were fortunate enough to receive, I hope to bring health and prosperity to those who otherwise would not be able to afford it. Addiction is by no means curable, but it is treatable, and I want to help those in need find the path to recovery. My aunt’s journey through addiction and recovery highlighted the critical role of psychological support and family intervention. It also exposed me to the gaps in our healthcare system concerning addiction treatment. I have seen firsthand how the absence of adequate support can devastate lives and families. This personal experience has driven my passion for psychiatry and my commitment to providing comprehensive care that addresses both the mental health issues and the addiction itself. Furthermore, my own encounters with mental health challenges have deepened my empathy and understanding of those battling addiction. I recognize the importance of accessible mental health care and the need for a compassionate approach that considers the individual's circumstances and struggles. By pursuing a career in psychiatry, I aim to create a supportive environment where individuals can address their mental health issues and work towards recovery without stigma or judgment. In conclusion, helping others with addiction is not just a professional goal for me but a deeply personal mission. I aspire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those struggling with addiction by providing the support and care they need to overcome their challenges and lead healthier, happier lives. Through my work, I hope to honor the journey of my aunt and many others like her, ensuring that no one has to face the battle of addiction alone.