It was only a few years ago that I had a therapist share their sobering professional opinion that I needed to be checked into a mental health facility. I was hesitant, but I acquiesced and voluntarily checked in. It was not an easy choice because I knew it meant I would not fly for a year or more until I was cleared for my mental health diagnosis. Still, I believe that this choice saved my life and I hope that my future participation in the Mental Health Profession could save someone else. From my personal experience, I learned how dire of a need there is for professionals who create a safe space for people to express and deal with their struggles. Mental health issues can be very isolating. However, I also learned that a lot of what passes for mental health is prescribing medicine after a short, fifteen minute interview with a patient. I was fortunate my main provider was not so eager to have me on pills. I want to be a force for non-dependence on drugs for mental health, though I do see how vital medicine can be for recovery. As a psychologist, I would not use prescription drugs in my practice, but I would only refer those that truly need them to the doctors that could. Although my journey is far from over, I have not lost motivation to join the fight for mental health. I am currently pursuing a Masters in Psychology while I’m serving in the Air Force until I can pursue a PsyD. I want to focus on cognitive and behavioral therapies, with respect to treating trauma, but I am hoping to learn a variety of treatment modalities. The vastness of the possibilities excite me with thoughts of having more tools to help people. One day, I hope I can be the person who tells someone they are worth helping and that their life matters. I hope I can give someone the tools they need to create space to think through whatever mental health struggles they are experiencing. With my own struggles, and the friends and family I have lost to mental illness, to be able to do even one good thing for someone would be rewarding enough. I am a Christian and I believe that every person is worth loving, no matter what path they walked to get them where they are at. That belief is what continues to inspire my pursuit of becoming a psychologist.

It was only a few years ago that I had a therapist share their sobering professional opinion that I needed to be checked into a mental health facility. I was hesitant, but I acquiesced and voluntarily checked in. It was not an easy choice because I knew it meant I would not fly for a year or more until I was cleared for my mental health diagnosis. Still, I believe that this choice saved my life and I hope that my future participation in the Mental Health Profession could save someone else. From my personal experience, I learned how dire of a need there is for professionals who create a safe space for people to express and deal with their struggles. Mental health issues can be very isolating. However, I also learned that a lot of what passes for mental health is prescribing medicine after a short, fifteen minute interview with a patient. I was fortunate my main provider was not so eager to have me on pills. I want to be a force for non-dependence on drugs for mental health, though I do see how vital medicine can be for recovery. As a psychologist, I would not use prescription drugs in my practice, but I would only refer those that truly need them to the doctors that could. That experience brings me to my main reason for choosing to join the mental health care profession; I want to make a difference. I harbor no grudge towards anti-psychotics or other mental health medicines. However, I have learned and seen that these drugs can have unintended consequences if prescribed without enough thought. Many drugs have unintended side effects and can even be habit forming. While the brain may not become physically addicted, I’ve heard some that use anti-anxiety medications say they have a breakdown if they realize they are out of medication or forgot them at home. Causing another psychological issue is not my definition of treating the patients mental health in a responsible manner. My personal (and developing stance) on medication is that there are definitely people that need medication; there are also a lot of people that can try to regain balance without medication. There are many therapies that can give certain patients the ability to regain self-regulation; mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and interpersonal psychotherapy are just a few examples. My hope is to be a source of care for people who want mental health treatment without jumping to medication. I also hope to be a competent authority to tell someone they need to consider consulting someone who prescribes medication. Another reason I want to become a mental health professional is my passion to fight the suicide epidemic in our society. In just the past year, I have lost two loved ones to suicide. Their loss has made the world a little less bright and I want to be a chance for someone like them to choose differently. Their deaths left all their loved ones in confusion, without a clear reason for what they did. I would also like to prevent the grief that follows suicide. I am fortunate to have met the mental health professionals that told me the truth, that I needed their help. I struggled with suicidal ideations during a very dark time in my past. I can honestly say I might not be here if I hadn’t been admitted to an inpatient program. Though it felt like taking a step back at the time, that daunting step propelled me into a much healthier place. I learned how to guide my thoughts and see beyond my struggles. That can be a miracle for someone like me or my friends departed. Another reason I want to join the mental health profession is to destigmatize seeking mental healthcare. Mental illnesses are often a struggle that consumes one’s thoughts. Without proper guidance or practice, anyone can succumb to the self-defeating or self-destructive behaviors that result from mental illness. It is such a disservice to the members of our society when we allow the stigma that seeking mental healthcare makes you a week or broken person. By allowing this stigma to exist, even by ignorance, we further isolate those struggling with mental illness by making it something wrong with them rather than something they can overcome. Something I’ll always remember, about one of my departed friends in particular, is how normal he seemed the last time I saw him. It was only in hindsight that I realized he was saying things that suggested he was losing his fight with mental illness. It’s taken me a long time to forgive myself for not being more perceptive at the time, but I finally realized that I could not save my friend alone. Even if I was already a psychologist. This lesson, particularly, has taught me that I am in for a long ride to accomplish what I am setting out to do in becoming a psychologist. Sure, I can make a difference individually, but it truly takes our whole society to really fight mental illness and the stigma against seeking treatment. This is a lifelong journey for me and anyone else that is willing to join this fight. This path is filled with heart breaks, brick walls, and grey skies. It is also filled with much opportunity to see brighter days. Thinking about the challenge I am giving myself, I realize I may not even see the day where the stigma against seeking help no longer exists. This mantle has been around since before I was born and may be here long after I die. I still think this battle is worth fighting and the journey is worth taking. Although my journey is far from over, I have not lost motivation to join the fight for mental health. I am currently pursuing a Masters in Psychology while I’m serving in the Air Force until I can pursue a PsyD. I want to focus on cognitive and behavioral therapies, with respect to treating trauma, but I am hoping to learn a variety of treatment modalities. The vastness of the possibilities excite me with thoughts of having more tools to help people. The program I am planning to attend to gain my PsyD has many opportunities for me to apply my learning to actually treat mental illness and gain useful experience for future patients in my own practice once I am licensed. These opportunities will be bolstered by a solid academic foundation in psychological principles and theory. Plus, I will have a staff of mental health professionals that have already gained experience in the field that will be guiding me the whole way. I am so encouraged for the future of my studies to become a psychologist. I am most encouraged by the prospect of treating people who struggle with trauma and learning why trauma affects people the way that it does. I would like to leverage post-traumatic growth if I am lucky. I know I will encourage anyone I see that had the potential to see growth because that would be witnessing a God given miracle, and I could only dream of seeing that in someone else. I am a Christian and I believe that every person is worth loving, no matter what path they walked to get them where they are at. That belief is what continues to inspire my pursuit of becoming a psychologist. It pushes me to see how I have changed since I sought mental health treatment; it pushes me to show others that they can change too. My faith inspires me to meet people where they are and tell them that there story does not have to end with their illness. My faith leads me to tell all people that they are so loved and that there is a God that wants them to know Him. My God compels me to be the hand that reaches into the dark pits that people fall into and pull them out. Even better if I can just throw them a rope and encourage them to climb out themselves. My God tells me that He wants peace and healing for His people and I am someone that can help give the treatment they need to see such a dream come true. One day, I hope I can be the person who tells someone they are worth helping and that their life matters. I hope I can give someone the tools they need to create space to think through whatever mental health struggles they are experiencing. With my own struggles, and the friends and family I have lost to mental illness, to be able to do even one good thing for someone would be rewarding enough.

It was only a few years ago that I had a therapist share their sobering professional opinion that I needed to be checked into a mental health facility. I was hesitant, but I acquiesced and voluntarily checked in. It was not an easy choice because I knew it meant I would not fly for a year or more until I was cleared for my mental health diagnosis. Still, I believe that this choice saved my life and I hope that my future participation in the Mental Health Profession could save someone else. From my personal experience, I learned how dire of a need there is for professionals who create a safe space for people to express and deal with their struggles. Mental health issues can be very isolating. However, I also learned that a lot of what passes for mental health is prescribing medicine after a short, fifteen minute interview with a patient. I was fortunate my main provider was not so eager to have me on pills. I want to be a force for non-dependence on drugs for mental health, though I do see how vital medicine can be for recovery. As a psychologist, I would not use prescription drugs in my practice, but I would only refer those that truly need them to the doctors that could. Although my journey is far from over, I have not lost motivation to join the fight for mental health. I am currently pursuing a Masters in Psychology while I’m serving in the Air Force until I can pursue a PsyD. I want to focus on cognitive and behavioral therapies, with respect to treating trauma, but I am hoping to learn a variety of treatment modalities. The vastness of the possibilities excite me with thoughts of having more tools to help people. One day, I hope I can be the person who tells someone they are worth helping and that their life matters. I hope I can give someone the tools they need to create space to think through whatever mental health struggles they are experiencing. With my own struggles, and the friends and family I have lost to mental illness, to be able to do even one good thing for someone would be rewarding enough. I am a Christian and I believe that every person is worth loving, no matter what path they walked to get them where they are at. That belief is what continues to inspire my pursuit of becoming a psychologist.