As a young kid I struggled with the social and emotional aspects of school, making friends, keeping friends and interacting with others my age. This inevitably turned into self-esteem issues, poor self-worth and a negative outlook towards myself and overall in my life. I had always had the thought or idea of wanting to be a special education teacher that worked with kids who had behavior or mental health challenges but I was told, "they will cause you to relapse", “you won't make enough money”, “teachers have a high burnout rate”, “you can't be financially successful as a teacher”. I let those things get in my head and started pursuing a different career path. When my senior year of high school was approaching, I decided to take a leap of faith and enroll in a volunteer type teaching program offered by my school's career exploration program. Through this program, I was hoping to receive a special education placement. In this placement I would be in sort of a student teacher role without the credentials and college experience. I was placed in an EBD (emotional and behavioral disorders) special education classroom in the same district that I attended K - 12. I fell in love with the kids, the work, the environment and the things being taught. The kids in the EBD, or as the school called it SEB, classroom were the kids who had heightened aggressive behaviors in the general education classroom and needed extra support, so they were placed in this semi self-contained classroom. During this time I had been experiencing mental health struggles of my own but didn't have the tools and resources to manage them. Towards the middle of my senior year, I started struggling with my mental health again and ended up feeling very suicidal and had to go to an inpatient psychiatric facility. During my stay in the inpatient facility, I started noticing that what was being taught while inpatient is what the kids were being taught in the EBD classroom just in a different setting and using different wording. From then on, I didn't see at teaching as me helping the kids in my classroom, I looked at it as us helping each other to make a bigger difference in each other's lives. That's exactly what it has been ever since. Now I am a full-time paraprofessional in a middle school setting working with EBD students. I am also going to college to get my cross categorical special education degree. I look at teaching as something that creates a world of change in the student as well as their teacher. Since becoming a paraprofessional, I have noticed that what I learn in mental health therapy I can also teach the kids that I work with. I can't imagine where I would be now without the help of these kids and the ways they have already had such an impact on my life. I can't wait to be a teacher with my own classroom of kids someday.

As a young kid I struggled with the social aspects of school, making friends, keeping friends and interacting with others my age. This inevitably turned into self-esteem issues, poor self-worth and an overall negative outlook on life. Since then, I have always had the thought of wanting to be a special education teacher that worked with kids who had behavior or mental health challenges but was told, “you won't make enough money”, “teachers have a high burnout rate”, “you can't be financially successful as a teacher”. I let that get in my head and told myself I wanted to be a nurse like my mom. When my senior year of high school was around the corner, I decided to take a leap of faith and enroll in a teaching program offered by my school's career exploration program. Through this program, I was hoping to receive a special education placement. In this placement I would act like a student teacher without the credentials and only in my senior year of high school. I was placed in an SEB (social, emotional, behavioral) classroom in the district that I attended high school. I fell in love with the kids, the work and the things being taught. The kids in the SEB classroom were the kids who had high behaviors in the gen ed classroom and needed extra support, so they were sent to this classroom. During this time I had had my fair share of mental health struggles but didn't have the tools to manage it yet. Towards the middle of the school year, I started struggling with my mental health again and ended up feeling very suicidal and had to go to an inpatient facility. While in the inpatient facility, I started to notice that what was being taught is what we taught the kids in the SEB classroom. From that day on, I didn't look at teaching as me helping them, I looked at it as us helping each other. That's exactly what it has been since. Now I am a paraprofessional full-time while also going to school to get my special education degree at the same time. I now think of teaching as something that creates a world of change in the student as well as the teacher. Since becoming a paraprofessional, I have noticed that what I learn in therapy I also teach the kids that I work with. I can't imagine where I would be now without the help of these kids and the ways they have already had such an impact on my life. I can't wait to be a teacher of my own classroom of kids someday.

As a young kid I struggled with the social aspects of school, making friends, keeping friends and interacting with others my age. This inevitably turned into self-esteem issues, poor self-worth and an overall negative outlook on life. I have always had the thought of wanting to be a special education teacher that worked with kids who had behavior or mental health challenges but was told, “you won't make enough money”, “teachers have a high burnout rate”, “you can't be financially successful as a teacher”. I let that get in my head and started pursuing a different path. When my senior year of high school was approaching, I decided to take a leap of faith and enroll in a volunteer type teaching program offered by my school's career exploration program. Through this program, I was hoping to receive a special education placement. In this placement I would be a student teacher without the credentials and college experience. I was placed in an EBD (emotional and behavioral disorders) special education classroom in the district that I attended high school. I fell in love with the kids, the work and the things being taught. The kids in the EBD classroom were the kids who had heightened behaviors in the general education classroom and needed extra support, so they were placed in this self-contained classroom. During this time I had had mental health struggles of my own but didn't have the tools to manage it. Towards the middle of the school year, I started struggling with my mental health again and ended up feeling very suicidal and had to go to an inpatient facility. While in the inpatient facility, I started to notice that what was being taught is what we taught the kids in the EBD classroom. From that day on, I didn't look at teaching as me helping them, I looked at it as us helping each other to make a bigger difference. That's exactly what it has been since. Now I am a full-time paraprofessional while also going to school to get my special education degree at the same time. I look at teaching as something that creates a world of change in the student as well as the teacher. Since becoming a paraprofessional, I have noticed that what I learn in therapy I can also teach the kids that I work with. I can't imagine where I would be now without the help of these kids and the ways they have already had such an impact on my life. I can't wait to be a teacher with my own classroom of kids someday.

As a young kid I struggled with the social aspects of school, making friends, keeping friends and interacting with others my age. This inevitably turned into self-esteem issues, poor self-worth and an overall negative outlook on life. I have always had the thought of wanting to be a special education teacher that worked with kids who had behavior or mental health challenges but was told, “you won't make enough money”, “teachers have a high burnout rate”, “you can't be financially successful as a teacher”. I let that get in my head and started pursuing a different path. When my senior year of high school was approaching, I decided to take a leap of faith and enroll in a volunteer type teaching program offered by my school's career exploration program. Through this program, I was hoping to receive a special education placement. In this placement I would be a student teacher without the credentials and college experience. I was placed in an EBD (emotional and behavioral disorders) special education classroom in the district that I attended high school. I fell in love with the kids, the work and the things being taught. The kids in the EBD classroom were the kids who had heightened behaviors in the general education classroom and needed extra support, so they were placed in this self-contained classroom. During this time I had had mental health struggles of my own but didn't have the tools to manage it. Towards the middle of the school year, I started struggling with my mental health again and ended up feeling very suicidal and had to go to an inpatient facility. While in the inpatient facility, I started to notice that what was being taught is what we taught the kids in the EBD classroom. From that day on, I didn't look at teaching as me helping them, I looked at it as us helping each other to make a bigger difference. That's exactly what it has been since. Now I am a full-time paraprofessional while also going to school to get my special education degree at the same time. I look at teaching as something that creates a world of change in the student as well as the teacher. Since becoming a paraprofessional, I have noticed that what I learn in therapy I can also teach the kids that I work with. I can't imagine where I would be now without the help of these kids and the ways they have already had such an impact on my life. I can't wait to be a teacher with my own classroom of kids someday. Right now the money that I make as a paraprofessional goes towards personal bills and paying towards school. I want to be able to graduate with my bachelors degree with as little debt as possible to give me the opportunity to go back to school to get my masters so I can move up in the special education world and be able to impact the special education students on a higher level.

As a young kid I struggled with the social aspects of school, making friends, keeping friends and interacting with others my age. This inevitably turned into self-esteem issues, poor self-worth and an overall negative outlook on life. I have always had the thought of wanting to be a special education teacher that worked with kids who had behavior or mental health challenges but was told, “you won't make enough money”, “teachers have a high burnout rate”, “you can't be financially successful as a teacher”. I let that get in my head and started pursuing a different path. When my senior year of high school was approaching, I decided to take a leap of faith and enroll in a volunteer type teaching program offered by my school's career exploration program. Through this program, I was hoping to receive a special education placement. In this placement I would be a student teacher without the credentials and college experience. I was placed in an EBD (emotional and behavioral disorders) special education classroom in the district that I attended high school. I fell in love with the kids, the work and the things being taught. The kids in the EBD classroom were the kids who had heightened behaviors in the general education classroom and needed extra support, so they were placed in this self-contained classroom. During this time I had had mental health struggles of my own but didn't have the tools to manage it. Towards the middle of the school year, I started struggling with my mental health again and ended up feeling very suicidal and had to go to an inpatient facility. While in the inpatient facility, I started to notice that what was being taught is what we taught the kids in the EBD classroom. From that day on, I didn't look at teaching as me helping them, I looked at it as us helping each other to make a bigger difference. That's exactly what it has been since. Now I am a full-time paraprofessional while also going to school to get my special education degree at the same time. I look at teaching as something that creates a world of change in the student as well as the teacher. Since becoming a paraprofessional, I have noticed that what I learn in therapy I can also teach the kids that I work with. I can't imagine where I would be now without the help of these kids and the ways they have already had such an impact on my life. I can't wait to be a teacher with my own classroom of kids someday.

As a young kid I struggled with the social aspects of school, making friends, keeping friends and interacting with others my age. This inevitably turned into self-esteem issues, poor self-worth and an overall negative outlook on life. I have always had the thought of wanting to be a special education teacher that worked with kids who had behavior or mental health challenges but was told, “you won't make enough money”, “teachers have a high burnout rate”, “you can't be financially successful as a teacher”. I let that get in my head and started pursuing a different path. When my senior year of high school was approaching, I decided to take a leap of faith and enroll in a volunteer type teaching program offered by my school's career exploration program. Through this program, I was hoping to receive a special education placement. In this placement I would be a student teacher without the credentials and college experience. I was placed in an EBD (emotional and behavioral disorders) special education classroom in the district that I attended high school. I fell in love with the kids, the work and the things being taught. The kids in the EBD classroom were the kids who had heightened behaviors in the general education classroom and needed extra support, so they were placed in this self-contained classroom. During this time I had had mental health struggles of my own but didn't have the tools to manage it. Towards the middle of the school year, I started struggling with my mental health again and ended up feeling very suicidal and had to go to an inpatient facility. While in the inpatient facility, I started to notice that what was being taught is what we taught the kids in the EBD classroom. From that day on, I didn't look at teaching as me helping them, I looked at it as us helping each other to make a bigger difference. That's exactly what it has been since. Now I am a full-time paraprofessional while also going to school to get my special education degree at the same time. I look at teaching as something that creates a world of change in the student as well as the teacher. Since becoming a paraprofessional, I have noticed that what I learn in therapy I can also teach the kids that I work with. I can't imagine where I would be now without the help of these kids and the ways they have already had such an impact on my life. I can't wait to be a teacher with my own classroom of kids someday. Right now the money that I make as a paraprofessional goes towards personal bills and paying towards school. I want to be able to graduate with my bachelors degree with as little debt as possible to give me the opportunity to go back to school to get my masters so I can move up in the special education world and be able to impact the special education student on a higher level.

As a young kid I struggled with the social aspects of school, making friends, keeping friends and interacting with others my age. This inevitably turned into self-esteem issues, poor self-worth and an overall negative outlook on life. Since then, I have always had the thought of wanting to be a special education teacher that worked with kids who had behavior or mental health challenges but was told, “you won't make enough money”, “teachers have a high burnout rate”, “you can't be financially successful as a teacher”. I let that get in my head and told myself I wanted to be a nurse like my mom. When my senior year of high school was around the corner, I decided to take a leap of faith and enroll in a teaching program offered by my school's career exploration program. Through this program, I was hoping to receive a special education placement. In this placement I would act like a student teacher without the credentials and only in my senior year of high school. I was placed in an SEB (social, emotional, behavioral) classroom in the district that I attended high school. I fell in love with the kids, the work and the things being taught. The kids in the SEB classroom were the kids who had high behaviors in the gen ed classroom and needed extra support, so they were sent to this classroom. During this time I had had my fair share of mental health struggles but didn't have the tools to manage it yet. Towards the middle of the school year, I started struggling with my mental health again and ended up feeling very suicidal and had to go to an inpatient facility. While in the inpatient facility, I started to notice that what was being taught is what we taught the kids in the SEB classroom. From that day on, I didn't look at teaching as me helping them, I looked at it as us helping each other. That's exactly what it has been since. Now I am a paraprofessional full-time while also going to school to get my special education degree at the same time. I now think of teaching as something that creates a world of change in the student as well as the teacher. Since becoming a paraprofessional, I have noticed that what I learn in therapy I also teach the kids that I work with. I can't imagine where I would be now without the help of these kids and the ways they have already had such an impact on my life. I can't wait to be a teacher of my own classroom of kids someday.

s a young kid I struggled with the social aspects of school, making friends, keeping friends and interacting with others my age. This inevitably turned into self-esteem issues, poor self-worth and an overall negative outlook on life. Since then, I have always had the thought of wanting to be a special education teacher that worked with kids who had behavior or mental health challenges but was told, “you won't make enough money”, “teachers have a high burnout rate”, “you can't be financially successful as a teacher”. I let that get in my head and told myself I wanted to be a nurse like my mom. When my senior year of high school was around the corner, I decided to take a leap of faith and enroll in a teaching program offered by my school's career exploration program. Through this program, I was hoping to receive a special education placement. In this placement I would act like a student teacher without the credentials and only in my senior year of high school. I was placed in an SEB (social, emotional, behavioral) classroom in the district that I attended high school. I fell in love with the kids, the work and the things being taught. The kids in the SEB classroom were the kids who had high behaviors in the gen ed classroom and needed extra support, so they were sent to this classroom. During this time I had had my fair share of mental health struggles but didn't have the tools to manage it yet. Towards the middle of the school year, I started struggling with my mental health again and ended up feeling very suicidal and had to go to an inpatient facility. While in the inpatient facility, I started to notice that what was being taught is what we taught the kids in the SEB classroom. From that day on, I didn't look at teaching as me helping them, I looked at it as us helping each other. That's exactly what it has been since. Now I am a paraprofessional full-time while also going to school to get my special education degree at the same time. I now think of teaching as something that creates a world of change in the student as well as the teacher. Since becoming a paraprofessional, I have noticed that what I learn in therapy I also teach the kids that I work with. I can't imagine where I would be now without the help of these kids and the ways they have already had such an impact on my life. I can't wait to be a teacher of my own classroom of kids someday.

As a young kid I struggled with the social aspects of school, making friends, keeping friends and interacting with others my age. This inevitably turned into self-esteem issues, poor self-worth and an overall negative outlook on life. Since then, I have always had the thought of wanting to be a special education teacher that worked with kids who had behavior or mental health challenges but was told, “you won't make enough money”, “teachers have a high burnout rate”, “you can't be financially successful as a teacher”. I let that get in my head and told myself I wanted to be a nurse like my mom. When my senior year of high school was around the corner, I decided to take a leap of faith and enroll in a teaching program offered by my school's career exploration program. Through this program, I was hoping to receive a special education placement. In this placement I would act like a student teacher without the credentials and only in my senior year of high school. I was placed in an SEB (social, emotional, behavioral) classroom in the district that I attended high school. I fell in love with the kids, the work and the things being taught. The kids in the SEB classroom were the kids who had high behaviors in the gen ed classroom and needed extra support, so they were sent to this classroom. During this time I had had my fair share of mental health struggles but didn't have the tools to manage it yet. Towards the middle of the school year, I started struggling with my mental health again and ended up feeling very suicidal and had to go to an inpatient facility. While in the inpatient facility, I started to notice that what was being taught is what we taught the kids in the SEB classroom. From that day on, I didn't look at teaching as me helping them, I looked at it as us helping each other. That's exactly what it has been since. Now I am a paraprofessional full-time while also going to school to get my special education degree at the same time. I now think of teaching as something that creates a world of change in the student as well as the teacher. Since becoming a paraprofessional, I have noticed that what I learn in therapy I also teach the kids that I work with. I can't imagine where I would be now without the help of these kids and the ways they have already had such an impact on my life. I can't wait to be a teacher of my own classroom of kids someday.

As a young kid I struggled with the social aspects of school, making friends, keeping friends and interacting with others my age. This inevitably turned into self-esteem issues, poor self-worth and an overall negative outlook on life. Since then, I have always had the thought of wanting to be a special education teacher that worked with kids who had behavior or mental health challenges but was told, “you won't make enough money”, “teachers have a high burnout rate”, “you can't be financially successful as a teacher”. I let that get in my head and told myself I wanted to be a nurse like my mom. When my senior year of high school was around the corner, I decided to take a leap of faith and enroll in a teaching program offered by my school's career exploration program. Through this program, I was hoping to receive a special education placement. In this placement I would act like a student teacher without the credentials and only in my senior year of high school. I was placed in an SEB (social, emotional, behavioral) classroom in the district that I attended high school. I fell in love with the kids, the work and the things being taught. The kids in the SEB classroom were the kids who had high behaviors in the gen ed classroom and needed extra support, so they were sent to this classroom. During this time I had had my fair share of mental health struggles but didn't have the tools to manage it yet. Towards the middle of the school year, I started struggling with my mental health again and ended up feeling very suicidal and had to go to an inpatient facility. While in the inpatient facility, I started to notice that what was being taught is what we taught the kids in the SEB classroom. From that day on, I didn't look at teaching as me helping them, I looked at it as us helping each other. That's exactly what it has been since. Now I am a paraprofessional full-time while also going to school to get my special education degree at the same time. I now think of teaching as something that creates a world of change in the student as well as the teacher. Since becoming a paraprofessional, I have noticed that what I learn in therapy I also teach the kids that I work with. I can't imagine where I would be now without the help of these kids and the ways they have already had such an impact on my life. I can't wait to be a teacher of my own classroom of kids someday.

After I realized what I had done I burst into tears. This was the first time I noticed something was off and I wasn't like other kids in middle school. I was in a fight with my best friend and thought there was no other way to forgive myself so I started cutting. A few years later I started having suicidal thoughts. Whenever these thoughts occurred I would get very destructive. The first time I tried to end my life I was 16. I was driving and thought that I should drive my car off the side of the road. The weeks before that I had been short and snippy with others and was becoming violent with my family. I went home and told my parents about the recurring thoughts. Hours later I was admitted to an acute psychiatric hospital. This damaged many relationships. I attended an intensive outpatient therapy group after being in the hospital. This was the first time I opened up about the sexual assault that had occurred months before. This was something that contributed to the behaviors and thoughts I was having. This caused me to push all men in my life away and keep them at a distance. This hurt my dad and other relationships I had with older men as well as romantic relationships with boys my age. A similar situation happened in July 2022 and November 2022. Both times I was hospitalized for seven days due to suicidal thoughts or acting on those thoughts. During my second stay, they had a separate wing for pre-adolescent kids. This was something I didn't know existed. Since then I have been very interested in pursuing a degree in nursing. When I graduate college I plan on looking for a job working with younger kids in a psychiatric hospital. The staff at the inpatient facilities showed compassion and some could relate to the feelings that were occurring. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today. I want to have an impact on other kids who are struggling like I was. I want to be able to help them succeed and reach all the goals that they have made for themselves. If I can make an impact on one kid and prevent them from relapsing or ending their life then I will have done what i wanted to do in my life. No kid or adult should ever feel like they aren't valuable and they don't deserve to be on this earth After all the therapy I have gone through, the biggest thing I have taken away is the importance of mindfulness and self-care. Mindfulness is something that I plan on using for the rest of my life. It helps calm my mind and makes me a happier person. Self-care is very important to me. Eating intuitively, drinking enough water, taking the medication prescribed to me and getting in exercise every day have improved my happiness, well-being and relationships with others. Relaying this information to kids who I will come in contact with will be a life goal of mine. I took many years to find what worked for me so helping others find what works for them is my mission. Starting college in the fall is something I never imagined would happen. I want to be a voice and show others that it is possible to succeed even when the odds aren't in your favor. If you put your mind to something you can do it.

After I realized what I had done I burst into tears. This was the first time I noticed something was off and I wasn't like other kids in middle school. I was in a fight with my best friend and thought there was no other way to forgive myself so I started cutting. A few years later I started having suicidal thoughts. Whenever these thoughts occurred I would get very destructive. The first time I tried to end my life I was 16. I was driving and thought that I should drive my car off the side of the road. The weeks before that I had been short and snippy with others and was becoming violent with my family. I went home and told my parents about the recurring thoughts. Hours later I was admitted to an acute psychiatric hospital. This damaged many relationships. My friends were worried but didn't want to get too close because of the way I acted right before I had been hospitalized. My friends became more distant and my family lost all trust in me. I couldn't stay home alone anymore. I had missed a week of school so many people were curious as to where I was. I attended an intensive outpatient therapy group after being in the hospital. This was the first time I opened up about the sexual assault that had occurred months before. This was something that contributed to the behaviors and thoughts I was having. This caused me to push all men in my life away and keep them at a distance. This hurt my dad and other relationships I had with older men as well as romantic relationships with boys my age. A similar situation happened in July 2022 and November 2022. Both times I was hospitalized for seven days due to suicidal thoughts or acting on those thoughts. During my second stay, they had a separate wing for pre-adolescent kids. This was something I didn't know existed. Since then I have been very interested in pursuing a degree in nursing. When I graduate college I plan on looking for a job working with younger kids in a psychiatric hospital. The staff at the inpatient facilities showed compassion and some could relate to the feelings that were occurring. Without them I wouldn't be where I am today. I want to have an impact on other kids who are struggling like I was. I want to be able to help them succeed and reach all the goals that they have made for themselves. After all the therapy I have gone through, the biggest thing I have taken away is the importance of mindfulness and self-care. Mindfulness is something that I plan on using for the rest of my life. It helps calm my mind and makes me a happier person. Self-care is very important to me. Eating intuitively, drinking enough water, taking the medication prescribed to me and getting in exercise every day have improved my happiness, well-being and relationships with others. Starting college in the fall is something I never imagined would happen. I want to be a voice and show others that it is possible to succeed even when the odds aren't in your favor. If you put your mind to something you can do it.

After I realized what I had done I burst into tears. This was the first time I noticed something was off and I wasn't like other kids in middle school. I was in a fight with my best friend and thought there was no other way to forgive myself so I started cutting. A few years later I started having suicidal thoughts. Whenever these thoughts occurred I would get very destructive. The first time I tried to end my life I was 16. I was driving and thought that I should drive my car off the side of the road. The weeks before that I had been short and snippy with others and was becoming violent with my family. I went home and told my parents about the recurring thoughts. Hours later I was admitted to an acute psychiatric hospital. This damaged many relationships. My friends were worried but didn't want to get too close because of the way I acted right before I had been hospitalized. My friends became more distant and my family lost all trust in me. I couldn't stay home alone anymore. I had missed a week of school so many people were curious as to where I was. I attended an intensive outpatient therapy group after being in the hospital. This was the first time I opened up about the sexual assault that had occurred months before. This was something that contributed to the behaviors and thoughts I was having. This caused me to push all men in my life away and keep them at a distance. This hurt my dad and other relationships I had with older men as well as romantic relationships with boys my age. A similar situation happened in July 2022 and November 2022. Both times I was hospitalized for seven days due to suicidal thoughts or acting on those thoughts. During my second stay, they had a separate wing for pre-adolescent kids. This was something I didn't know existed. Since then I have been very interested in pursuing a degree in nursing. When I graduate college I plan on looking for a job working with younger kids in a psychiatric hospital. The staff at the inpatient facilities showed compassion and some could relate to the feelings that were occurring. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today. I want to have an impact on other kids who are struggling like I was. I want to be able to help them succeed and reach all the goals that they have made for themselves. After all the therapy I have gone through, the biggest thing I have taken away is the importance of mindfulness and self-care. Mindfulness is something that I plan on using for the rest of my life. It helps calm my mind and makes me a happier person. Self-care is very important to me. Eating intuitively, drinking enough water, taking the medication prescribed to me and getting in exercise every day have improved my happiness, well-being and relationships with others. Starting college in the fall is something I never imagined would happen. I want to be a voice and show others that it is possible to succeed even when the odds aren't in your favor. If you put your mind to something you can do it.

After I realized what I had done I burst into tears. This was the first time I noticed something was off and I wasn't like other kids in middle school. I was in a fight with my best friend and thought there was no other way to forgive myself so I started cutting. A few years later I started having suicidal thoughts. Whenever these thoughts occurred I would get very destructive. The first time I tried to end my life I was 16. I was driving and thought that I should drive my car off the side of the road. The weeks before that I had been short and snippy with others and was becoming violent with my family. I went home and told my parents about the recurring thoughts. Hours later I was admitted to an acute psychiatric hospital. This damaged many relationships. My friends were worried but didn't want to get too close because of the way I acted right before I had been hospitalized. My friends became more distant and my family lost all trust in me. I couldn't stay home alone anymore. I had missed a week of school so many people were curious as to where I was. I attended an intensive outpatient therapy group after being in the hospital. This was the first time I opened up about the sexual assault that had occurred months before. This was something that contributed to the behaviors and thoughts I was having. This caused me to push all men in my life away and keep them at a distance. This hurt my dad and other relationships I had with older men as well as romantic relationships with boys my age. A similar situation happened in July 2022 and November 2022. Both times I was hospitalized for seven days due to suicidal thoughts or acting on those thoughts. During my second stay, they had a separate wing for pre-adolescent kids. This was something I didn't know existed. Since then I have been very interested in pursuing a degree in nursing. When I graduate college I plan on looking for a job working with younger kids in a psychiatric hospital. The staff at the inpatient facilities showed compassion and some could relate to the feelings that were occurring. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today. I want to have an impact on other kids who are struggling like I was. I want to be able to help them succeed and reach all the goals that they have made for themselves. After all the therapy I have gone through, the biggest thing I have taken away is the importance of mindfulness and self-care. Mindfulness is something that I plan on using for the rest of my life. It helps calm my mind and makes me a happier person. Self-care is very important to me. Eating intuitively, drinking enough water, taking the medication prescribed to me and getting in exercise every day have improved my happiness, well-being and relationships with others. Starting college in the fall is something I never imagined would happen. I want to be a voice and show others that it is possible to succeed even when the odds aren't in your favor. If you put your mind to something you can do it.

After I realized what I had done I burst into tears. This was the first time I noticed something was off and I wasn't like other kids in middle school. I was in a fight with my best friend and thought there was no other way to forgive myself so I started cutting. A few years later I started having suicidal thoughts. Whenever these thoughts occurred I would get very destructive. The first time I tried to end my life I was 16. I was driving and thought that I should drive my car off the side of the road. The weeks before that I had been short and snippy with others and was becoming violent with my family. I went home and told my parents about the recurring thoughts. Hours later I was admitted to an acute psychiatric hospital. This damaged many relationships. My friends were worried but didn't want to get too close because of the way I acted right before I had been hospitalized. My friends became more distant and my family lost all trust in me. I couldn't stay home alone anymore. I had missed a week of school so many people were curious as to where I was. I attended an intensive outpatient therapy group after being in the hospital. This was the first time I opened up about the sexual assault that had occurred months before. This was something that contributed to the behaviors and thoughts I was having. This caused me to push all men in my life away and keep them at a distance. This hurt my dad and other relationships I had with older men as well as romantic relationships with boys my age. A similar situation happened in July 2022 and November 2022. Both times I was hospitalized for seven days due to suicidal thoughts or acting on those thoughts. During my second stay, they had a separate wing for pre-adolescent kids. This was something I didn't know existed. Since then I have been very interested in pursuing a degree in nursing. When I graduate college I plan on looking for a job working with younger kids in a psychiatric hospital. The staff at the inpatient facilities showed compassion and some could relate to the feelings that were occurring. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today. I want to have an impact on other kids who are struggling like I was. I want to be able to help them succeed and reach all the goals that they have made for themselves. After all the therapy I have gone through, the biggest thing I have taken away is the importance of mindfulness and self-care. Mindfulness is something that I plan on using for the rest of my life. It helps calm my mind and makes me a happier person. Self-care is very important to me. Eating intuitively, drinking enough water, taking the medication prescribed to me and getting in exercise every day have improved my happiness, well-being and relationships with others. Starting college in the fall is something I never imagined would happen. I want to be a voice and show others that it is possible to succeed even when the odds aren't in your favor. If you put your mind to something you can do it.

After I realized what I had done I burst into tears. This was the first time I noticed something was off and I wasn't like other kids in middle school. I was in a fight with my best friend and thought there was no other way to forgive myself so I started cutting. A few years later I started having suicidal thoughts. Whenever these thoughts occurred I would get very destructive. The first time I tried to end my life I was 16. I was driving and thought that I should drive my car off the side of the road. The weeks before that I had been short and snippy with others and was becoming violent with my family. I went home and told my parents about the recurring thoughts. Hours later I was admitted to an acute psychiatric hospital. This damaged many relationships. My friends were worried but didn't want to get too close because of the way I acted right before I had been hospitalized. My friends became more distant and my family lost all trust in me. I couldn't stay home alone anymore. I had missed a week of school so many people were curious as to where I was. I attended an intensive outpatient therapy group after being in the hospital. This was the first time I opened up about the sexual assault that had occurred months before. This was something that contributed to the behaviors and thoughts I was having. This caused me to push all men in my life away and keep them at a distance. This hurt my dad and other relationships I had with older men as well as romantic relationships with boys my age. A similar situation happened in July 2022 and November 2022. Both times I was hospitalized for seven days due to suicidal thoughts or acting on those thoughts. During my second stay, they had a separate wing for pre-adolescent kids. This was something I didn't know existed. Since then I have been very interested in pursuing a degree in nursing. When I graduate college I plan on looking for a job working with younger kids in a psychiatric hospital. The staff at the inpatient facilities showed compassion and some could relate to the feelings that were occurring. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today. I want to have an impact on other kids who are struggling like I was. I want to be able to help them succeed and reach all the goals that they have made for themselves. After all the therapy I have gone through, the biggest thing I have taken away is the importance of mindfulness and self-care. Mindfulness is something that I plan on using for the rest of my life. It helps calm my mind and makes me a happier person. Self-care is very important to me. Eating intuitively, drinking enough water, taking the medication prescribed to me and getting in exercise every day have improved my happiness, well-being and relationships with others. Starting college in the fall is something I never imagined would happen. I want to be a voice and show others that it is possible to succeed even when the odds aren't in your favor. If you put your mind to something you can do it.

After I realized what I had done I burst into tears. This was the first time I noticed something was off and I wasn't like other kids in middle school. I was in a fight with my best friend and thought there was no other way to forgive myself so I started cutting. A few years later I started having suicidal thoughts. Whenever these thoughts occurred I would get very destructive. The first time I tried to end my life I was 16. I was driving and thought that I should drive my car off the side of the road. The weeks before that I had been short and snippy with others and was becoming violent with my family. I went home and told my parents about the recurring thoughts. Hours later I was admitted to an acute psychiatric hospital. This damaged many relationships. My friends were worried but didn't want to get too close because of the way I acted right before I had been hospitalized. My friends became more distant and my family lost all trust in me. I couldn't stay home alone anymore. I had missed a week of school so many people were curious as to where I was. I attended an intensive outpatient therapy group after being in the hospital. This was the first time I opened up about the sexual assault that had occurred months before. This was something that contributed to the behaviors and thoughts I was having. This caused me to push all men in my life away and keep them at a distance. This hurt my dad and other relationships I had with older men as well as romantic relationships with boys my age. A similar situation happened in July 2022 and November 2022. Both times I was hospitalized for seven days due to suicidal thoughts or acting on those thoughts. During my second stay, they had a separate wing for pre-adolescent kids. This was something I didn't know existed. Since then I have been very interested in pursuing a degree in nursing. When I graduate college I plan on looking for a job working with younger kids in a psychiatric hospital. The staff at the inpatient facilities showed compassion and some could relate to the feelings that were occurring. Without them I wouldn't be where I am today. I want to have an impact on other kids who are struggling like I was. I want to be able to help them succeed and reach all the goals that they have made for themselves. After all the therapy I have gone through, the biggest thing I have taken away is the importance of mindfulness and self-care. Mindfulness is something that I plan on using for the rest of my life. It helps calm my mind and makes me a happier person. Self-care is very important to me. Eating intuitively, drinking enough water, taking the medication prescribed to me and getting in exercise every day have improved my happiness, well-being and relationships with others. Starting college in the fall is something I never imagined would happen. I want to be a voice and show others that it is possible to succeed even when the odds aren't in your favor. If you put your mind to something you can do it.

“Exercise and eating a healthy diet will help with mood swings and the other issues you are having”. That's all I've heard since the start of my teenage years. I have always rolled my eyes and ignored what was being said. At the beginning of my senior year, I joined a weightlifting class and fell in love. The gym doesn't only change your physical appearance but it also changes your mental clarity and gives your body more energy while making you feel happier. Finding a balance between your social life and your academic goals is important. You need to make time to study and understand the material so you can achieve the grades you want. You also need to notice if you are going out to parties every night and spending all your time with your friends and not studying or trying in your classes. You need to find a balance between the two so you can be successful. The thing about college that excites me the most is the interaction you get with people your age and the freedom that comes with going away to college. It is also important to be social while in college. Your family can't make you get out and do stuff. You have to take it upon yourself to make plans with people or go out and meet new people. Surrounding yourself with others can help you feel that sense of belonging while not at home. With freedom comes a great deal of responsibility. I will maintain a healthy mind, body, and soul by keeping up with what I was doing during my senior year of high school. I plan on going to the gym five to six times a week. I will focus on strength training with some time allotted for cardio. I will also have the freedom to eat whatever I please. I will focus on nourishing my body with a focus on protein, fruit, and vegetable intake. The gym and intuitive eating will help my mind and body stay healthy throughout the changing time in my life. I have also been attending psychiatric therapy since the beginning of my teen years and have learned the importance of mindfulness. It is one of the most beneficial things you can do to help keep a healthy mind and soul. Mindfulness for me looks like going to church or attending a religious service. Finding a group while in college who has frequent bible studies or attends a church together will be very beneficial in keeping me accountable and on track. By focusing on mental, physical, and spiritual health I will be successful and happy while also getting an education and meeting many new people along the way.

“Exercise and eating a healthy diet will help with mood swings and the other issues you are having”. That's all I've heard since the start of my teenage years. I have always rolled my eyes and ignored what was being said. At the beginning of my senior year, I joined a weightlifting class and fell in love. The gym doesn't only change your physical appearance but it also changes your mental clarity and gives your body more energy while making you feel happier. Finding a balance between your social life and your academic goals is important. You need to make time to study and understand the material so you can achieve the grades you want. You also need to notice if you are going out to parties every night and spending all your time with your friends and not studying or trying in your classes. You need to find a balance between the two so you can be successful. The thing about college that excites me the most is the interaction you get with people your age and the freedom that comes with going away to college. It is also important to be social while in college. Your family can't make you get out and do stuff. You have to take it upon yourself to make plans with people or go out and meet new people. Surrounding yourself with others can help you feel that sense of belonging while not at home. With freedom comes a great deal of responsibility. I will maintain a healthy mind, body, and soul by keeping up with what I was doing during my senior year of high school. I plan on going to the gym five to six times a week. I will focus on strength training with some time allotted for cardio. I will also have the freedom to eat whatever I please. I will focus on nourishing my body with a focus on protein, fruit, and vegetable intake. The gym and intuitive eating will help my mind and body stay healthy throughout the changing time in my life. I have also been attending psychiatric therapy since the beginning of my teen years and have learned the importance of mindfulness. It is one of the most beneficial things you can do to help keep a healthy mind and soul. Mindfulness for me looks like going to church or attending a religious service. Finding a group while in college who has frequent bible studies or attends a church together will be very beneficial in keeping me accountable and on track. By focusing on mental, physical, and spiritual health I will be successful and happy while also getting an education and meeting many new people along the way.

My experience with mental health has greatly impacted many aspects of my life. When I was around 9 years old I started getting violent toward my family members. It ended up straining my relationship with my parents and younger sister. My sister's friends were scared of me and I didn't have many friends due to the fact that I was unhappy with my family situation and tended to take it out on other people. This violent behavior happened until I was around 11 years old then stopped. It turned into depression and anxiety. I didn't want to hang out with friends or even family, all I wanted to do was sit in my room all the time and sleep. I started seeing a counselor and things got a little better and seemed to be looking up, then I and my best friend go into a big fight. I started cutting and not believing there was a god. I didn't think I could go on anymore, I talked to one of my friends and told her I wanted to commit suicide. In my head I was thinking if God was real why would he put me through this. I started making poor choices and doing things I knew were wrong just so I could feel something. My parents found out I was making these poor choices and I got in trouble. I was very depressed and had no place to turn other than people I knew were bad influences. I ended up telling my parents how I was feeling. Later that week I ended up going to a mental hospital. The toll this took on my family and friends was very emotionally draining. I couldn't see but one family member a day due to covid restrictions and I could only see that one family member for one hour. The family member had to be over 18 meaning my sister couldn't come to see me, this took a huge toll on her and she would call me crying because she was scared. While I was in the mental hospital I met some super nice patients and people that could relate to how I was feeling. While in the mental hospital I was diagnosed with DMDD a mood regulation disorder, I was started on medication, the medication has greatly improved my mood swings and my relationships with friends and family. One night I was having a hard time because it was my best friends birthday and I didn't want to talk to anyone I just wanted to lay on the ground, and not do the activities but the nurse kept coming in and checking on me and asking if I was okay and if there is anything she could do to make me feel better. That experience changed the career path I have wanted to take my entire life. I have always known I wanted to work with adolescents but after being in the mental hospital I decided I wanted to be an RN and work at a mental hospital with adolescents. I hope one day I can make an impact on a child life like the nurse did on mine.