When I worked as a student advisor at Osnabrück University/Germany, I had the chance to witness how counseling helped a young international Ph.D. student with depression lead a fulfilling life again. When she first came to my office, she was in a state of desperation and hopelessness. She was struggling with issues in her personal life and her thesis, and going through a phase of cultural shock which made her feel rejected by the German culture and people. I connected her with the counseling service at the university as I could clearly see that I could not provide her with the treatment she needed. During the year in which she worked with one of the counselors, she came back to my office regularly. It was amazing to watch how she slowly got back on her feet, was able to reframe her situation, and finally felt whole and healthy again. This beautiful experience led me to decide that I want to leave my career in administration behind me and acquire the necessary skills to enable people to improve their lives through counseling. The experience inspired me to work toward becoming a counselor. Since I aspire to work internationally, I decided to leave my home country Germany and started studying a Master's program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Kutztown University when I was 42 years old. The Steven Penn Bryan Scholarship Fund would help to alleviate the burden of expensive books and living costs. As an international student, I cannot generate enough income to cover all my expenses because there are a lot of legal restrictions regarding work. This scholarship can help me bridge this financial gap, making my education more affordable and carefree. I want to focus on my education to start a career in the profession about which I am really passionate and that will add purpose to my work life. I want to integrate mind, body and soul into counseling by promoting self-compassion and self-care practices that nourish all aspects of our being. I want to encourage clients to address physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of their lives. Besides counseling techniques, this also includes the promotion of mindfulness and exercise to attend spiritual growth as well as physical and emotional well-being. A holistic approach will help my clients build resilience in order to cope with challenges and find meaning in adversity. On a personal level, I also aim to achieve overall well-being by exercising regularly, introspection, and mindfulness. The willingness to learn and grow will make me a good counselor.

The current mental health crisis has had a profound impact on individuals and communities worldwide. It highlights the urgent need for mental health support and intervention. As societal awareness and understanding of mental health issues increase, the demand for qualified mental health professionals, especially counselors, has risen significantly. Hopefully, many individuals will be inspired to embark on a career in counseling and other mental health professions due to various factors stemming from the crisis. The mental health crisis has brought to light the importance of providing support and guidance to those facing emotional and psychological challenges. I feel a sense of fulfillment and purpose in helping others overcome their struggles and improve their well-being. The desire to make a positive impact on people's lives and contribute to the betterment of society is a powerful motivator for me. When I worked as an international student advisor at a German university, I had the chance to witness how counseling helped a young international Ph.D. student with depression lead a fulfilling life again. When she first came to my office, she was in a state of desperation, anxiety, and hopelessness. She was struggling with issues in her personal life and her thesis, and going through a belated phase of cultural shock, which made her feel rejected by the German culture and people. She felt lost and very lonely. I connected her with the counseling service at my university as I could clearly see that I could not provide her with the treatment she needed. During the year in which she worked with one of the counselors, she came back to my office regularly. It was amazing to watch how she slowly got back on her feet, was able to reframe her situation, and finally felt whole and healthy again. This beautiful experience led me to decide that I want to acquire and train the necessary skills to enable people to improve their mental health. Thus, one of my primary personal inspirations behind choosing a career in counseling is a genuine sense of empathy and compassion toward others. Witnessing the struggles faced by individuals like this Ph.D. student as well as family members, and experiencing mental health challenges and their devastating effects on work and private life evoke a strong desire in me to help and provide support. Since I possess the innate ability to empathize with others, I am naturally drawn to the field of counseling. I want to learn how to create a safe and non-judgmental space where clients can share their thoughts and emotions freely. I have been witnessing the widespread impact of emotional distress and the importance of fostering a compassionate environment in various contexts over time. Also on campus, I witness the impact of the mental health crisis every day. So many students suffer due to mental health issues, especially depression and anxiety. Of course, this has a negative impact on student outcomes. For me as an aspiring counselor, the opportunity to make a positive difference in people's life during difficult times is a deeply rewarding aspect of the profession. That is why I will do my vocational practicum at the Counseling and Psychological Services of Kutztown University. I will help improve the lives of the people who surround me every day. The mental health crisis has not only affected the broader population but has also touched the lives of countless individuals on a personal level. Many aspiring counselors have experienced their struggles with mental health issues or witnessed close friends and family members navigating these challenges. Such firsthand encounters can foster a deeper understanding of the complexities of mental health and inspire a commitment to help others facing similar adversities. I also had my personal experience with mental health issues. 3 years ago, I suffered from major depression, and I could overcome it through therapy. I am so grateful for this experience that made me grow as a person. Thus, I know what impact counseling can have on a person's life. As an individual who has overcome my mental health struggles, I feel a deep sense of empowerment and resilience, that motivates me to pursue a career in counseling to provide hope and guidance to those currently experiencing similar difficulties. Furthermore, the mental health crisis has brought about significant efforts to destigmatize mental health issues and normalize seeking help. As society recognizes that mental health is just as crucial as physical health, more individuals are encouraged to pursue counseling as a career path. Destigmatization campaigns have opened up conversations about mental health, making it easier for people like me to consider counseling as a serious and respectable profession. In my role as an aspiring counselor, I feel so inspired by the opportunity to contribute to this positive change and be part of the movement that prioritizes mental well-being. I want to advocate for individuals with mental health issues so that they feel less stigmatized and more ready to talk about their struggles. There are still many people out there who do not talk about their issues because they fear being stigmatized and rejected by their surroundings. This is also a way to create more awareness of the mental health crisis and the need for strategies to fight it. The mental health crisis has made it evident that mental health issues do not discriminate and can affect individuals from all walks of life. This realization has motivated many young professionals and career-changers, including me, to choose counseling as a means to address this societal challenge. By becoming a counselor, I see an opportunity to be at the forefront of mental health care, offering therapeutic interventions that can positively impact not only individual clients but also their families, communities, and society as a whole. The profound influence of mental health on various aspects of life is another reason why I want to pursue a career. It is my way to contribute to building a healthier and more resilient society. Moreover, as awareness of the impact that mental health issues have on our society increases, there is a growing demand for qualified professionals in the field, surpassing the existing capacity of mental health professionals. There is an imbalance between the urgent need for more counselors and therapists and the insufficient supply of mental health services. This demand has inspired me to pursue a counseling career to address the increasing need for mental health services and bridge the gap and provide timely support to those in need. I appreciate and recognize the significance of my future role in addressing this demand, contributing to reducing waiting times, and ensuring that individuals receive appropriate care when they need it the most. I have always had a sense of responsibility to serve my community. It has been a compelling factor that inspired me to enter the counseling profession. The mental health crisis has underscored the importance of mental health and its impact on overall well-being. I learned that I most likely find personal fulfillment and job satisfaction in a career that allows me to help others and promote mental health and resilience. Counseling offers a platform for me to utilize my unique intuition, personal experience, skills, knowledge, and passion to facilitate positive changes in people's lives. As the example of my experience with the international Ph.D. student demonstrates, the intrinsic rewards of witnessing clients grow, heal, and thrive emotionally are immensely gratifying for me. Amidst the challenges presented by the mental health crisis, the opportunity to foster hope and resilience in others has served as a source of inspiration for me. Additionally, it also allows me to keep on growing and thriving personally. As a counselor, I will never stop learning about my own vulnerability and opportunities for growth. If I want to support other individuals in dealing with their problems, I have to be aware of my own biases, flaws, and issues. This requires ongoing self-reflection and a willingness to work on myself. Overall, the current mental health crisis serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health and well-being. It has been a strong driving force for me since I wish to make a difference in the lives of others through counseling and therapeutic interventions. It has had far-reaching effects on individuals and society, including myself. Empathy and compassion, my personal experiences with mental health, destigmatization efforts, the recognition of mental health's impact on society, the increasing demand for mental health services, and my desire for personal fulfillment through my career choice as well as job satisfaction are the key factors that made me choose the counseling profession as a means to support and uplift those experiencing emotional and psychological challenges. As more individuals enter the counseling profession, we can expect a positive shift in addressing mental health needs and fostering a more resilient and compassionate society.