In a world filled with complexities and challenges, both natural and human-made, the mental health crisis has become a growing epidemic. It has given rise to profound questions about what it means to be human and the impact of modern society on our well-being. The challenges we face are not solely external but deeply rooted within our psyches, driven by a relentless pursuit of connection, validation, and self-worth in an ever-evolving digital landscape. As the world has become more interconnected through technology and social media, the quest for validation has intensified. The constant need for instant gratification, the surge of dopamine from likes and notifications, has reshaped our understanding of human connection. In the age of social media, we need to be seen, not just physically, but emotionally and intellectually. We yearn for community, love, admiration, and the affirmation that our individual experiences matter in the vast web of existence. However, paradoxically, while these platforms promise connection, they often leave us feeling more disconnected than ever before. We have traded genuine, in-person connections for superficial online interactions, leaving a void that is challenging to fill. The pervasive reliance on external validation is, in part, a product of our fast-paced, demanding society. We have adapted to an environment that values speed and convenience, creating a deficit in self-awareness and self-love. It has led to a cycle of seeking quick fixes and superficial validation, further pushing us away from our innate needs and nature. The mental health crisis, as it stands today, is a manifestation of these complex and layered issues, and it calls for a deeper understanding of human psychology and emotional well-being. In this chaotic landscape, where technology and modern life have taken us further from our essential selves, the need for mental health support is increasingly apparent. This is precisely where the role of a mental health counselor comes into play. As individuals grapple with the challenges of self-identity, self-worth, and the growing sense of isolation, professionals in this field can offer guidance and support. They can help individuals rediscover their intrinsic value, foster self-reliance, and navigate the complexities of modern existence. While the digital age has undoubtedly brought many conveniences and advantages, it has also detached us from our roots in nature. The desire to balance these comforts with a return to self-reliance, fostering a healthy reliance on others, is at the heart of addressing the mental health crisis. A counselor can play a pivotal role in guiding individuals back to a more authentic connection with themselves and the world around them. Being in nature, with its radiant beauty and serene silence, can serve as a reminder of our place in the larger ecosystem. It highlights our responsibilities to ourselves, to others, and to the planet. The therapeutic potential of nature is immense, emphasizing the importance of stillness, quiet, and introspection, allowing us to hear the messages embedded within the natural world and within ourselves. For me, I always knew I saw and approached the world in a different way than my peers. Once I was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and recognized I was neurodivergent, I really found myself immersing myself in books, podcasts, and documentaries about the human psyche and what exactly it means to be human. I had set out on this quest to learn more about myself, my purpose, and my place in the world. Not only have my own mental health ebbs and flows inspired me but those of my close friends and family members. I’ve watched my family and be torn apart by alcoholism and addiction, friends wrapped up in toxic relationships or self-sabotaging tendencies, that based on my studies ultimately pointed to unaddressed mental health issues. While I’m thankful that after many years, and lots of support from mental health professionals, our family and my friends have been able to navigate our way to healing, connection, and love—it wasn’t an easy road to travel, nor easy to be the individual who paves the way for mental health change. During these times especially, I turned to nature to find solace, restoration, and clarity. While I personally find peace in being amongst nature, I do acknowledge that not everyone will want to put themselves out in nature. I do not think it’s prudent to force anyone to go into nature if they do not desire to, though I do think being within nature amplifies these lessons as it allows us to slow down from our fast-paced society and be present. This realization of interconnectedness is not only a personal journey but a universal one. The human species is endowed with the unique ability to build connections and explore them. As someone drawn to the peace, beauty, and joy inherent in human existence, the desire to contribute positively to the world has become a driving force for me. A career in mental health counseling is an opportunity to facilitate authentic communication and connection among individuals. It is about recognizing and nurturing the innate gifts of the human species – the capacity for love, mindfulness, and connection. The urgency to address the mental health crisis extends beyond personal well-being. It involves healing the wounds inflicted on our planet and fostering generational healing. Mental health counselors can help individuals reconnect with their ancestral roots and embrace a sense of continuity, allowing them to heal not only themselves but also the collective trauma of their ancestors. The aspiration to see humanity succeed is a noble one. It involves breaking the cycle of suffering that has plagued our species for generations. It is a pursuit of harmony, self-realization, and the restoration of genuine connections. It is a commitment to being more than a drop in the ocean, recognizing that within each individual, there exists an entire ocean of potential and change. Acknowledging the lessons and challenges, and supporting others in their mental and emotional journeys, is a way of rewriting the trajectory of generational curses. It means becoming advocates for those who were silenced and misunderstood in eras when mental illness was not acknowledged or validated. It is a humbling and honorable quest to give voice to those who could not speak for themselves and to rewrite the narrative of pain and suffering. Despite the barriers and challenges that may arise in the field of mental health counseling, the allure of peace, joy, and the captivating stories of human experiences remains a driving force. Storytelling, in particular, offers a compelling means of sharing and understanding the complex tapestry of human existence. It has a unique ability to bring people together, fostering connection and empathy. Storytelling, as a means of sharing and understanding the human experience, plays a crucial role in this journey. Nature, with its beauty and wisdom, serves as a reminder of our place in the larger ecosystem and our responsibilities to the world. Mental health counselors, driven by their passion for positive change, are poised to make a difference in a world grappling with the mental health crisis. Throughout this exploration, nature and the natural world have served as guides and inspirations. They provide insight into what it means to be human, to be a part of this world. Nature's wildness and gentleness, its boldness and serenity, mirror the complexity of human existence. It reminds us of our place in this intricate ecosystem and our responsibilities to ourselves, others, and the planet. The mental health crisis is a multifaceted issue, deeply intertwined with the complexities of modern existence. The pursuit of connection, validation, and self-worth in the digital age has left many feeling disconnected and isolated. The reliance on external validation has become a hallmark of our fast-paced society, pushing us further from our essential nature. Choosing a career in mental health counseling is a response to the call for a deeper understanding of human psychology and well-being--what it means to be human. It is a commitment to guide individuals back to self-reliance, self-awareness, and genuine connections. It is a step towards undoing the pain and suffering inflicted on our planet and fostering generational healing. It is an aspiration to see humanity succeed, to rewrite the narrative of suffering, and to become advocates for those who were silenced in the past. I want to be a part of the change I envision for this world and restore individuals and communities through healing, growth, and self-actualization. The path to a career in mental health counseling is not without challenges, but it is a profound and honorable quest to restore authentic connections, promote self-realization, and help heal the wounds of the past. It is a call to be more than just a drop in the ocean, recognizing the vast potential within each individual to contribute positively to the world.

My experience with mental health has influenced every aspect of my life and continues to motivate me forward. So much so, I've decided to go back to school to become a Mental Health Counselor with the goal of opening my own therapeutic and coaching practice. My own mental health and healing journey has inspired and expanded me in a way that I hadn't known was possible. From repairing broken relationships to rediscovering my passions and joy for life, mental health support has helped me reclaim my life and in turn, show up as my most authentic self. Before beginning my healing journey and actively seeking mental health support, I found myself lost, resentful towards the world and others, jealous and insecure, and constantly struggling with anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder—though I didn’t know it at the time. I finally had enough and called my college’s mental health counseling department to see how they could support me. After a few sessions, while speaking to someone did have a magical way of lifting some of the weight of pain and depression off my shoulders, I often left feeling as though I wasn’t getting to the root of my problems. Well, I now know what I didn’t back then, which is that mental health and healing are not merely items to check off a to-do list—mental health and healing are inherently connected on a lifelong journey of ebbs and flows. Since that point, I have continued my curious quest to heal and grow into my best self. This came with a lot of relationships growing stronger and a lot of relationships ending, as I began to stand taller in my skin and truth. Ultimately, my mental health journey has deeply impacted my ability to truly connect with individuals—whether or not I agree with them. No longer am I narrow-minded due to my emotional blockage, because honoring my needs and working diligently on my own growth has afforded me immense emotional intelligence. This intelligence, compassion, and warmth have brought me to a place of truly desiring connection without conditions and have given me a larger perspective on the connection that I hadn’t possessed several years ago. As I’ve grown in my self-awareness, I’ve allowed myself to be more open-minded to the world and others. I fundamentally believe that emotional experiences are the common denominator between individuals, it’s inherently part of our collective human experience. Through emotional and mental health support systems, I know and believe that we can continue to support the positive evolution of humanity and greatly impact individuals' lives in a way that would promote more peace and respect universally. This is why I’m so deeply called to enter the mental health field, so I can do my part in supporting others and help liberate individuals who suffer from emotional and mental health struggles the same way I have. I know that the only difference between my past self and my current self is that I’ve utilized mental health support and expanded myself through the lessons I’ve learned on my healing journey; everyone deserves access to this kind of care and support because life is hard enough—I want to help make life a little easier for others. If I can support others on their life’s mission to be their best selves, I truly believe that’s how people will then be able to show up for others and promote those individuals to be their best selves. It’s a domino effect, and I’ve seen it in my very own life. The year I embarked on my own healing quest, other members of my family and friend groups got inspired and began to do the same. Seeking mental health support can be daunting, though knowing you’re not alone and hearing the experiences of those in your community who are on the same healing journey often help make the journey feel less lonely. At the end of the day, we all want to feel seen, loved, and valued; I know from years of searching, all of those needs will only feel met when we see, love, and value ourselves—and that’s what mental health support has done for me, and what I aim to do for others through my own mental health practice.