For my whole life, I was raised in a single-parent household by my mother. With her having me and my older disabled brother to take care of, times were rough and money was tight for most of my life. From house to house and job to job, life was not easy for me. My mother pushing me to be successful and take life by the reins made me realize that life was a gift and that I had to persevere no matter what was thrown at me. From having to pay for most of my tuition out of pocket and having to make a way out of no way, my life experiences have made me more grateful for my situation. Using the education I am receiving with a Bachelors in Psychology and being a part of the collegiate NAACP and being president of said collegiate chapter has allowed me to give back to my community. I use my platform to build a network of supportive individuals and organizations that align with personal and professional goals. From volunteering at local community centers to having educational seminars, I make an impact in my community one day at a time to show others like me that your upbringing does not represent your future.

This question resonates in my heart as the people of the world struggle daily, especially college students. For most, this is their first time being away from home and having to worry financially about their education can cause a lot of stress in a person’s life. This taught me to prioritize my mental health and major in psychology in college as my first year was extremely hard for me being away from home and being surrounded by others I did not know. This then introduced me to counseling and how much of an impact it makes on student’s lives. I realized that adding community-oriented workshops and programs, especially outreach programs can reach underserved populations. Also as a person of color who wants to be a therapist, it is difficult to find many in this field but I am willing to do what it takes to help any community. By normalizing conversations around mental health and providing information on available resources, individuals may be more likely to seek help. These programs will reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and create a healthy and safe environment. While I am studying for my bachelor's in Psychology and aiming to go for my Master's and PhD, I truly believe I can make a difference no matter what challenges may present themselves.