For the first eleven years of my life, I never heard someone mention mental health. Until, that is, it began to affect me. My mom delivered the blow seemingly out of nowhere. “I want you to start seeing a therapist.” My face flushed with shame and embarrassment. My whole image of myself shook as a cacophony of thoughts rushed into my mind - there must be something wrong with me - I’m broken and weak - everyone will look down on me now for needing to see a therapist. For months, I hid the fact that I was seeing a therapist as if it were a shameful secret. Until one by one, I discovered more and more people in my life that also went to therapy. Three of my closest friends. My aunt. Even my younger cousin. I was shocked. Could it be true that my friends and I were actually all going through the same exact thing? That this struggle I'd thought was so taboo was in fact incredibly commonplace? It was through this realization that I discovered the greatest tool to improve my own mental health. Speaking up. Breaking silence, sharing your struggles with others, and taking the time to listen and deeply understand the experiences of others. Doing this led to the formation of strong relationships and increased confidence in myself. It made me realize that I was not alone, and that having anxiety did not hinder me from having a happy and successful life. When my younger sister began to experience similar struggles with anxiety and self worth, my experiences provided a guide for how to help her. I realized I did not need a magic phrase or word to make it all better. I needed to simply listen. By giving her the space to share what she was feeling, I helped her feel seen and understood, and reassured her that her feelings were valid and important. Discovering the prevalence of mental health struggles has opened my eyes immensely. People, all around us hide so much beneath the surface. Some of the most successful people I know struggle with their mental health. Additionally, the people we are quick to judge often have so many struggles they keep to themselves that are the reason for their behavior. More than anything, a desire to understand people in a meaningful way has sparked my interest in psychology. I dream of working as a therapist for children and teens. I’ll teach these youth early on how important their mental health is and how it is not something that should ever be hidden. I aspire to help the upcoming generations be more accepting, more empathetic, more open and vulnerable, and therefore stronger than we are. Imagine the beauty of a society where we can be honest about the difficult emotions, stresses, and memories that plague us. Where we can be buoyed up by the support of all around us. Learning about and gaining an understanding of people has always been a passion of mine, and I can not wait to dive deeper in the world of mental health.