When I was in the seventh grade I began experiencing issues with my mental health. I struggled with depression and anxiety, so I was encouraged to try therapy. I wasn't initially convinced but during my therapy sessions I began to value my time with my therapist. She has made a significant impact in my life over the past five years in overcoming obstacles and finding inner strength. My experience with therapy has helped me find a direction for my future career. By the end of my eighth grade year I was certain I wanted to become a social worker and, more specifically, a mental health counselor. I have always been the friend people come to for advice and my therapist helped me realize it is because I already have those "social work tendencies" as some refer to it; listening is one of my strong suits. When she mentioned the possibility of exploring the idea of becoming a mental health therapist myself I was very receptive and excited. It made me very happy to think that I could help people just by listening to them and offering support. It is often said that if you can do what you love you will never work a day in your life and I am confident I have found what I love. I was already certain of my career choice, but a few events within the last year have solidified my choice of profession. The first event was the loss of a good friend to suicide in March of 2021. The loss hit the entire school hard, including myself. I had known for awhile that he had been struggling with mental illness so when the event happened it was incredibly heartbreaking. I have never liked seeing people hurting but to see how one person's decision, caused by pain, can inflict hurt on hundreds more people was awful. I want to be able to show teens and others that there is hope even when we feel that there is not. Similarly, a few months ago I almost lost my best friend to suicide. The situation, however different because she did not actually succeed, is still a very hard situation to experience. The panic and fear that comes from almost losing someone close to you is crippling. My therapist helped me through both situations and I am so grateful to have someone like her who I can go to for help working through my pain. I want to be able to provide that help to others the same way she has provided this help to me. Sometimes all it takes is someone to talk to, and I want to be able to do whatever I can to provide the help needed to those who need it. My generation is in a constant state of stimulation, false fronts and comparison. The rate of mental health challenges within our communities continues to rise and we need a strong system in place to ensure anyone who is struggling is able to access and afford supports and services to help them through these challenges. In the meantime, I may not always know how exactly to go about helping others, but sometimes just announcing your support is enough. I want people to know that there's no shame in feelings, and there are people who are available to walk with them toward healing and hope.

When I was in the seventh grade I began experiencing issues with my mental health. I struggled with depression and anxiety, so I was encouraged to try therapy. I wasn't initially convinced but during my therapy sessions I began to value my time with my therapist. She has made a significant impact in my life over the past five years in overcoming obstacles and finding inner strength. My experience with therapy has helped me find a direction for my future career. By the end of my eighth grade year I was certain I wanted to become a social worker and, more specifically, a mental health counselor. I have always been the friend people come to for advice and my therapist helped me realize it is because I already have those "social work tendencies" as some refer to it; listening is one of my strong suits. When she mentioned the possibility of exploring the idea of becoming a mental health therapist myself I was very receptive and excited. It made me very happy to think that I could help people just by listening to them and offering support. It is often said that if you can do what you love you will never work a day in your life and I am confident I have found what I love. I was already certain of my career choice, but a few events within the last year have solidified my choice of profession. The first event was the loss of a good friend to suicide in March of 2021. The loss hit the entire school hard, including myself. I had known for awhile that he had been struggling with mental illness so when the event happened it was incredibly heartbreaking. I have never liked seeing people hurting but to see how one person's decision, caused by pain, can inflict hurt on hundreds more people was awful. I want to be able to show teens and others that there is hope even when we feel that there is not. Similarly, a few months ago I almost lost my best friend to suicide. The situation, however different because she did not actually succeed, is still a very hard situation to experience. The panic and fear that comes from almost losing someone close to you is crippling. My therapist helped me through both situations and I am so grateful to have someone like her who I can go to for help working through my pain. I want to be able to provide that help to others the same way she has provided this help to me. Sometimes all it takes is someone to talk to, and I want to be able to do whatever I can to provide the help needed to those who need it. In the meantime, I may not always know how exactly to go about helping others, but sometimes just announcing your support is enough. I want people to know that there's no shame in feelings, and there are people who are available to walk with them toward healing and hope.

When I was in the seventh grade I began experiencing issues with my mental health. I struggled with depression and anxiety, so I was encouraged to try therapy. I wasn't initially convinced but during my therapy sessions I began to value my time with my therapist. She has made a significant impact in my life over the past five years in overcoming obstacles and finding inner strength. My experience with therapy has helped me find a direction for my future career. By the end of my eighth grade year I was certain I wanted to become a social worker and, more specifically, a mental health counselor. I have always been the friend people come to for advice and my therapist helped me realize it is because I already have those "social work tendencies" as some refer to it; listening is one of my strong suits. When she mentioned the possibility of exploring the idea of becoming a mental health therapist myself I was very receptive and excited. It made me very happy to think that I could help people just by listening to them and offering support. It is often said that if you can do what you love you will never work a day in your life and I am confident I have found what I love. I was already certain of my career choice, but a few events within the last year have solidified my choice of profession. The first event was the loss of a good friend to suicide in March of 2021. The loss hit the entire school hard, including myself. I had known for awhile that he had been struggling with mental illness so when the event happened it was incredibly heartbreaking. I have never liked seeing people hurting but to see how one person's decision, caused by pain, can inflict hurt on hundreds more people was awful. I want to be able to show teens and others that there is hope even when we feel that there is not. Similarly, a few months ago I almost lost my best friend to suicide. The situation, however different because she did not actually succeed, is still a very hard situation to experience. The panic and fear that comes from almost losing someone close to you is crippling. My therapist helped me through both situations and I am so grateful to have someone like her who I can go to for help working through my pain. I want to be able to provide that help to others the same way she has provided this help to me. Sometimes all it takes is someone to talk to, and I want to be able to do whatever I can to provide the help needed to those who need it. In the meantime, I may not always know how exactly to go about helping others, but sometimes just announcing your support is enough. I want people to know that there's no shame in feelings, and there are people who are available to walk with them toward healing and hope.

When I was in the seventh grade I began experiencing issues with my mental health. I struggled with depression and anxiety, so I was encouraged to try therapy. I wasn't initially convinced but during my therapy sessions I began to value my time with my therapist. She has made a significant impact in my life over the past five years in overcoming obstacles and finding inner strength. My experience with therapy has helped me find a direction for my future career. By the end of my eighth grade year I was certain I wanted to become a social worker and, more specifically, a mental health counselor. I have always been the friend people come to for advice and my therapist helped me realize it is because I already have those "social work tendencies" as some refer to it; listening is one of my strong suits. When she mentioned the possibility of exploring the idea of becoming a mental health therapist myself I was very receptive and excited. It made me very happy to think that I could help people just by listening to them and offering support. It is often said that if you can do what you love you will never work a day in your life and I am confident I have found what I love. I was already certain of my career choice, but a few events within the last year have solidified my choice of profession. The first event was the loss of a good friend to suicide in March of 2021. The loss hit the entire school hard, including myself. I had known for awhile that he had been struggling with mental illness so when the event happened it was incredibly heartbreaking. I have never liked seeing people hurting but to see how one person's decision, caused by pain, can inflict hurt on hundreds more people was awful. I want to be able to show teens and others that there is hope even when we feel that there is not. Similarly, a few months ago I almost lost my best friend to suicide. The situation, however different because she did not actually succeed, is still a very hard situation to experience. The panic and fear that comes from almost losing someone close to you is crippling. My therapist helped me through both situations and I am so grateful to have someone like her who I can go to for help working through my pain. I want to be able to provide that help to others the same way she has provided this help to me. Sometimes all it takes is someone to talk to, and I want to be able to do whatever I can to provide the help needed to those who need it. In the meantime, I may not always know how exactly to go about helping others, but sometimes just announcing your support is enough. I want people to know that there's no shame in feelings, and there are people who are available to walk with them toward healing and hope. I do not have specific experience with addiction, but I believe addiction is often an attempt to fill an empty space left behind by a loss or trauma. It makes sense that childhood trauma victims could fall into a pattern of seeking relief or comfort from a substance or activity due to the powerlessness they feel, and that could carry on into adulthood.

Friendship, to me, means family. Your friends influence your life just as much, if not more, than your family does. Besides, a lot of people have a friend who they consider family. Parents are often strict about who you are friends with because your friends influence your life. Oftentimes, parents tell their children when they do not like their friends because they know that those friends will influence their children's decisions. Friends can definitely make or break your life depending on whether they are good or bad, which is why it is very important to be careful who you choose to surround yourself with. Unfortunately, even when we think we are surrounding ourselves with good people they may turn out to be the opposite. Some friendships turn out to be toxic or manipulative, and those kinds of friendships are often hard to get out of. Although it would be nice to just avoid these friendships in the the first place, those kinds of people often do not show their true colors until awhile into the friendship. Since it is impossible to know people's exact intentions, we have to live our lives in hope that we will find the good ones and move forward when we do not. In conclusion, friends are important, but do not allow them to ruin your life if/when they let you down.

Self-care is something I have always struggled with, but over the last year or so I have been working to get better at it. I often prioritize school, work or friends over myself, so I can get overwhelmed fairly easily. Typically when I realize I need a day to practice self-care I do things that help me to relax, or things I feel like I normally do not have time to do on a regular day. For instance, one of my favorite ways to relax is running myself a warm bubble bath, lighting my favorite candle, and reading a book. Other times I'll put on classical piano or cell music and just lay down for a nap. I often fill my schedule and do not allow myself time to relax, so any time I do have free is a time I cherish. I am glad I have been able to allow myself more time to relax because self-care is a very important part of everyday life. If you do not give yourself time to relax, you often get overwhelmed and overworked, which leads me to the conclusion that self-care is an important part of everyone's lives.

When I was in the seventh grade I began experiencing issues with my mental health. I struggled with depression and anxiety, so I was encouraged to try therapy. I wasn't initially convinced but during my therapy sessions I began to value my time with my therapist. She has made a significant impact in my life over the past five years in overcoming obstacles and finding inner strength. My experience with therapy has helped me find a direction for my future career. By the end of my eighth grade year I was certain I wanted to become a social worker and, more specifically, a mental health counselor. I have always been the friend people come to for advice and my therapist helped me realize it is because I already have those "social work tendencies" as some refer to it; listening is one of my strong suits. When she mentioned the possibility of exploring the idea of becoming a mental health therapist myself I was very receptive and excited. It made me very happy to think that I could help people just by listening to them and offering support. It is often said that if you can do what you love you will never work a day in your life and I am confident I have found what I love. I was already certain of my career choice, but a few events within the last year have solidified my choice of profession. The first event was the loss of a good friend to suicide in March of 2021. The loss hit the entire school hard, including myself. I had known for awhile that he had been struggling with mental illness so when the event happened it was incredibly heartbreaking. I have never liked seeing people hurting but to see how one person's decision, caused by pain, can inflict hurt on hundreds more people was awful. I want to be able to show teens and others that there is hope even when we feel that there is not. Similarly, a few months ago I almost lost my best friend to suicide. The situation, however different because she did not actually succeed, is still a very hard situation to experience. The panic and fear that comes from almost losing someone close to you is crippling. My therapist helped me through both situations and I am so grateful to have someone like her who I can go to for help working through my pain. I want to be able to provide that help to others the same way she has provided this help to me. Sometimes all it takes is someone to talk to, and I want to be able to do whatever I can to provide the help needed to those who need it. In the meantime, I may not always know how exactly to go about helping others, but sometimes just announcing your support is enough. I want people to know that there's no shame in feelings, and there are people who are available to walk with them toward healing and hope.

While in middle school I began to experience anxiety and depression. I was encouraged to try therapy and my parents encouraged me to choose a therapist I thought I might be able to open up to. Over the course of five years working with my therapist I have come to realize that I can use my own skills and gifts to serve others. My experiences with mental health challenges and supportive services such as counseling have helped me find my future path. I plan to earn my Bachelor of Social Work degree from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. I then plan to go on to earn my master's degree so I can provide mental health therapy services to teens and others who are struggling with mental health issues. I also have a special interest in both foster care and adoption and would like to work with children and families to provide support within these systems.

When I was in the seventh grade I began experiencing issues with my mental health. I struggled with depression and anxiety, so I was encouraged to try therapy. I wasn't initially convinced but during my therapy sessions I began to value my time with my therapist. She has made a significant impact in my life over the past five years in overcoming obstacles and finding inner strength. My experience with therapy has helped me find a direction for my future career. By the end of my eighth grade year I was certain I wanted to become a social worker and, more specifically, a mental health counselor. I have always been the friend people come to for advice and my therapist helped me realize it is because I already have those "social work tendencies" as some refer to it; listening is one of my strong suits. When she mentioned the possibility of exploring the idea of becoming a mental health therapist myself I was very receptive and excited. It made me very happy to think that I could help people just by listening to them and offering support. It is often said that if you can do what you love you will never work a day in your life and I am confident I have found what I love. I was already certain of my career choice, but a few events within the last year have solidified my choice of profession. The first event was the loss of a good friend to suicide in March of 2021. The loss hit the entire school hard, including myself. I had known for awhile that he had been struggling with mental illness so when the event happened it was incredibly heartbreaking. I have never liked seeing people hurting but to see how one person's decision, caused by pain, can inflict hurt on hundreds more people was awful. I want to be able to show teens and others that there is hope even when we feel that there is not. Similarly, a few months ago I almost lost my best friend to suicide. The situation, however different because she did not actually succeed, is still a very hard situation to experience. The panic and fear that comes from almost losing someone close to you is crippling. My therapist helped me through both situations and I am so grateful to have someone like her who I can go to for help working through my pain. I want to be able to provide that help to others the same way she has provided this help to me. Sometimes all it takes is someone to talk to, and I want to be able to do whatever I can to provide the help needed to those who need it. In the meantime, I may not always know how exactly to go about helping others, but sometimes just announcing your support is enough. I want people to know that there's no shame in feelings, and there are people who are available to walk with them toward healing and hope.

As a seventh grader I began to struggle with anxiety and depression. I carry high expectations on myself, and it can be a heavy weight sometimes. By the eighth grade I began seeing a counselor on a regular basis to work through my difficulties, looking for ways to cope and overcome. My time with her began to spark within me a realization that I could take my natural desire to help people and use it to build a career. Our small community has suffered the loss of 3 young people to suicide in the past few years, including a high school friend. It was a huge blow to our community and I am still trying to process that loss. Currently I am walking this journey with my best friend, whose anxiety has put her on the edge of suicide more than once. I see first-hand the pain involved for her and her family and I personally feel and understand the fear and helplessness of wanting to help and not knowing how. I see the massive increase in mental health issues within my generation, and I know the need for services and awareness is great. I want to be part of the solution and have set my sights on earning my Bachelor degree in social work, followed by a Master's degree; eventually I hope to have my own therapy practice working with teens as well as children in the foster care system. I want to help individuals find a way to work through the darkness weighing them down so they can live a life of joy and strength. A world filled with people living like that would be an amazing place.

I come from a relatively healthy and cohesive family. I am blessed to have a set of grandparents only blocks away from my home, and my extended family is very supportive of me and of my interests. I am also a very musical person. I play four variations of flute and this year I was able to experience the honor of being chosen as an All State Choir singer. I love participating in every band and choir opportunity available to me. I am second in my class and do well in school. I am Secretary for our chapter of National Honor Society and have fun with our Pep club. I realize I have been very blessed and that I have seemingly endless opportunities stretching before me. At the same time, what you know, and how you feel, don't always match. As a seventh grader I began to struggle with anxiety and depression. I carry high expectations on myself, and it can be a heavy weight sometimes. By the eighth grade I began seeing a counselor on a regular basis to work through my difficulties, looking for ways to cope and overcome. My time with her began to spark within me a realization that I could take my natural desire to help people and use it to build a career. Our small community has suffered the loss of 3 young people to suicide in the past few years, including a high school friend. It was a huge blow to our community and I am still trying to process that loss. Currently I am walking this journey with my best friend, whose anxiety has put her on the edge of suicide more than once. I see first-hand the pain involved for her and her family and I personally feel and understand the fear and helplessness of wanting to help and not knowing how. I was introduced to another area of need by my aunt and uncle. Several years ago they adopted a sibling group of three from the foster care system. They continue to work tirelessly to support other families who are fostering or adopting, and have been an amazing example of unconditional love and selflessness. I have a great relationship with my cousins and they are fully loved, accepted and included by our entire extended family. Yet I know even now they still utilize mental health services and need extra support to work through the darkness inflicted on them in their younger years. I see the massive increase in mental health issues within my generation, and I know the need for services and awareness is great. I want to be part of the solution and have set my sights on earning my Bachelor degree in social work, followed by a Master's degree; eventually I hope to have my own therapy practice working with teens as well as children in the foster care system. I want to help individuals find a way to work through the darkness weighing them down so they can live a life of joy and strength. A world filled with people living like that would be an amazing place.