Greg London Memorial Scholarship

Maintaining good mental health is crucial for leading a fulfilling life. Coping with mental illnesses can be a daunting task, making even the simplest of tasks challenging. As someone who grapples with anxiety and depressive disorder, I have personally experienced the impact of these conditions. Thus, I am committed to eradicating the stigma associated with mental health and advocating for better care and treatment for individuals, including myself, who are impacted by it. In my role as a nurse, I see it as my duty to speak up for those patients whose voices may go unheard. While providing care is essential, as a compassionate human being, I believe it is equally important to acknowledge the other challenges that individuals face. My passion for holistic care has led me to pursue a career as a Nurse Practitioner primally focusing on mental health. My training in the PHMNP program at the University of New Mexico has equipped me with the skills to effectively engage with patients who are struggling. Mental health has influenced my beliefs by changing the way I view people and the world. A familiar saying “You cannot judge a person until you have walked a mile in their shoes” speaks volumes. Having dealt with depression, I was lucky enough to have a good support system helping me get out of bed and listening to me when I needed to be heard. As difficult as that point was in my life it gave me a new perspective on opening up to people about these difficult issues. I am a better nurse, friend, and person for the struggle. Many times, it's hard for others to see what we are going through. Mental illness is a complex relationship. Having someone to lean on makes all the difference. During my time as a novice nurse shadowing at the mental health clinic at the University of New Mexico Hospital, I was deeply moved by the compassionate care and skilled treatment provided to patients with mental illness. This experience ignited a passion within me to devote my education and career to helping those struggling with mental health disorders. During my time as a novice nurse shadowing at the mental health clinic at the University of New Mexico Hospital, I was deeply moved by the compassionate care and skilled treatment provided to patients with mental illness. This experience ignited a passion within me to devote my education and career to helping those struggling with mental health disorders. I am lucky I can share my story and struggles and empathize with my patients. Not many can say the same, unfortunately. I have lost people in my life related to depression. People always tell me, “I never saw the signs.” That is why I chose mental health because as a person who has occasionally struggled it is important to have someone to lean on and relate to. With this I believe my journey as a Nurse Practitioner, I can accommodate my patients by trying to treat them with availability and vulnerability.