Growing up in an immigrant household and navigating a brand new life as a student, daughter, sister, and friend was an incredibly challenging experience for me. As a Somali-American, I faced numerous obstacles along the journey of pursuing the American dream. The transition from my home country to the United States was accompanied by a sense of hope and the belief that everything would be easier, and that all the unmet necessities back home could finally be fulfilled. While some aspects did improve, there was also a side of being an immigrant that was rarely discussed within our Somali community. The difficulties I faced were often dismissed, whether it was the immense effort required to access government support or the language barrier hindering my ability to fully integrate into society. I became the voice of my parents, advocating for their needs and navigating the complex systems that were supposed to provide assistance. These experiences shed light on the brutal reality faced by immigrants, and it motivated me to be more than just another statistic or a face in the crowd. Throughout my childhood, I spent most of my time within the American education system. Despite this, I struggled to find a sense of belonging among my peers. I was an outsider, someone who didn't fit in with the rest of my classmates. It was a painful experience, compounded by the fact that my parents couldn't fully understand or relate to my struggles. However, these barriers and challenges only fueled my determination to forge my own path and embrace my individuality. It wasn't until the COVID-19 pandemic hit that my life took a significant turn. Suddenly, I found myself with the opportunity to reflect on aspects of my life that I had previously taken for granted. I delved into exploring my food choices, personal style, friendships, religion, relationships with my parents, and overall attitude toward life. This period of introspection allowed me to come closer to becoming the person I had always aspired to be. During the pandemic, I began volunteering at a local store that focused on providing affordable, healthy food to the community. This experience allowed me to connect intimately with my community, as we shared a common struggle for survival. Serving the homeless community by providing food that was no longer available on store shelves was a humbling and refreshing experience. It sparked a curiosity within me about the impact of COVID-19 on mental health, particularly within minority communities that already faced high levels of homelessness and poverty. I realized that mental health was a sensitive subject, often neglected within these communities, as the vulnerability was seen as a weakness contrary to the traditions we were raised with. This realization led me to make a profound decision regarding my future career path. I chose to pursue a profession in mental health, driven by a desire to demonstrate to my community that seeking help when needed is not only acceptable but crucial. I aim to break the stigma surrounding mental health within minority communities, encouraging individuals to prioritize their well-being and fostering a culture of openness and support. In conclusion, the challenges I faced growing up in an immigrant household, combined with the transformative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, have ignited a passion within me to make a positive difference in my community. By pursuing a career in mental health, I hope to empower individuals to embrace their vulnerabilities, seek help without shame, and understand that it is okay to not be okay.

My personal experience with mental health has greatly influenced my beliefs, relationships, and goals. Growing up in a family with a large age gap between my parents, I faced challenges as my father held onto traditional gender roles, placing all domestic responsibilities on women while exempting my brothers. This made me feel discouraged and trapped as if my worth and future were predetermined by my gender. Witnessing these differences within my own family made me realize the limitations imposed by cultural expectations. My encounters with the healthcare system also showed me its flaws and lack of trust. I vividly remember a time when I needed a translator to help me communicate my desire for therapy, but the translator misled my parents, making them hesitant to support my mental health journey. This loss of trust left me disheartened and strengthened my determination to challenge the stereotypes prevalent in our community. Motivated by these experiences, I decided to pursue a field of study that would allow me to advocate for mental health. Currently, I am studying psychology and international relations, aiming to deepen my understanding of the complexities surrounding mental health and its connection to social and cultural factors. My ultimate goal is to become a psychiatrist, helping others by obtaining a medical license through graduate studies. Through my studies and volunteer work, I have already noticed a positive shift in attitudes toward mental health, with more people seeking professional help and engaging in open conversations about their well-being. However, I also recognize that cultural abuse and the transfer of pain from one generation to the next still exist, particularly affecting children. This motivates me to continue normalizing discussions about mental health within my own family and through social media. I want to spread awareness and inspire others to prioritize their mental well-being. In the coming years, I plan to use my social media presence to raise awareness about mental health, reaching a broader audience and encouraging open dialogue. Additionally, I intend to take a gap year to work at a local hospital that serves my community, advocating for equality, diversity, and the importance of mental health. In summary, my journey with mental health has shaped my beliefs, relationships, and aspirations. It has empowered me to challenge cultural norms, promote mental well-being, and work toward breaking down the stigmas surrounding mental health. By advocating for change, fostering dialogue, and utilizing various platforms, I am committed to creating a healthier and more supportive environment for individuals and communities alike.

I remember being confused about which path I may want to take when I first started my staffing job. Staffing was the opening stage for me to find my way into medicine. In the staffing industry, I learned how our healthcare systems function and essentially, how patient care gets delivered behind the scenes. Although this job did not allow me to have direct patient care experience, I was part of a team that allowed our patients to have adequate staffing and get the care they need. As I progressed in this field of career, I also realized the way my identity impacts my care team because statistically speaking people of color get ambushed in our systems especially if they have barriers such as disability and language. I especially inspire the origination I work for because they show through their actions how they want to impact our underserved communities. I want to become a doctor because of my passion to serve my community by changing the way they feel when they come to see the doctor. Having to witness the failure of our systems and the lack of understanding of mental health from our community members and our parents have led to a higher rate of Somali teens turning to drugs for help. I have come to realize that my community even struggles to accept their children seeking the professionalism they deserve because of their reputation. For instance, I remember going to the doctor one day and having to express that I wanted to be referred to a therapist to our translator lady, and I recall her trying to turn me against my mother and telling her that she wants to seek resources that should not be used because it would be kept in the system and later be used against me. I felt the saddest disappointment because the least I expected of her was to be truthful instead of trying to continue creating a fake reality for our weak elders who refuse to understand their children. Giving power to people like her has been the reason why my community experiences so many setbacks and the reason why I essentially decided to be a face for my community that advocates that it is okay to not be okay. I accumulate small habits like reading, working out, and volunteering to help me progress as a person while volunteering to keep in touch with my community and be involved with the many changes that are taking place.