The biggest thing that inspired my passion for social work is me going to therapy myself. I struggle with chronic depression, anxiety, and PTSD so I've been going to therapy since I was in 7th grade. I didn't know how beneficial it was to talk about my problems and how in general somebody listening could be. I've have always been really empathetic, so I decided I wanted to go into an occupation that would involve me helping other people. Especially people who are in bad situations or are having a rough time in life. After I was diagnosed I started getting really interested with how people think; how they interact with others, why they do the things they do, and most specifically mental illnesses. This made me realize that I wanted to do something related to people. One day I was thinking pf attempting suicide so I was taken to a mental hospital for five days. While I was there I learned about other people struggles through the other kids that were also there. I had always knew that other people went through bad things but I didn't know how many people do. Today I know want people have to go through and I want to be like al those people at the hospitals that helped me and the kids that were in there. I want to help kids get out of bad situations, I want to help people get over their addiction, and I want to help people who have disadvantages in the world like those in poverty or minorities that are discriminated. I specifically want to go into therapy or counselling but I want to do volunteer and advocacy work in my spare time. Another thing that inspired this is my mom's addiction. My mom is an alcoholic, smoker and past drug user. when I was 8 she got into a toxic on and off relationship with her ex boyfriend. They were both addicts and would stay up yelling at each other, throwing stuff, and getting me involved. Sometimes the cops would even be called. This only got worse once I got diagnosed and they bought a house together. Mom would start taking out some of her pent up anger onto me and wake me up in the middle of the night screaming at me. It continued for five years before they finally split up for good. My mom when i was eight promise me in two months she would quit her addict ways. That was ten years ago and she hasn't. Every now and then she says she will quit soon and hasn't. This has effected me greatly and leaves me with some experience in saying how harmful addiction is, especially to children. My mom also has had traumatic things happen in her childhood that would leave me to think that there is a greater issue connected to childhood trauma. My aunt also drinks and i know both of them had very bad things happen when they were younger. I do think that some if addiction has to do with past trauma. Due to all of this I made a vow to myself not never try any addictive substance like alcohol since I would be just as likely to become an addict. All of this is what has inspired me to major in social work. From past trauma to my sympathy for others. I want to help people who have dealt with trauma or life misfortune. I want to help people better themselves and the rest of the world