Addressing the prevalent issue of mental health among today's youth requires a collective effort to break the silence surrounding this often-neglected topic. Recognizing the interconnected nature of various challenges faced by the youth, it is evident that mental health plays a central role, influenced by environmental factors such as poverty and education. While not a topic to be ashamed of, the impact of poor mental health is profound, affecting a significant portion of today's youth. Studies highlight the alarming statistic that 1 in 5 teens grapples with at least one diagnosable mental disorder, constituting 20% of the youth population. This percentage continues to rise annually, underscoring the urgency of addressing the issue. Unfortunately, mental health assistance in the United States is not as accessible as it should be, presenting a formidable barrier for those seeking help. The lack of attention given to this matter exacerbates the problem, with potential long-term consequences if left untreated. The challenges posed by poor mental health were exacerbated during the pandemic, as today's youth found themselves confined to their homes. Prolonged isolation led to the emergence of social anxiety among many teenagers, a topic that often receives insufficient discussion. The pandemic magnified existing mental health issues and triggered the development of new ones, hindering the ability of individuals, including myself, to function optimally. It is crucial to recognize that poor mental health not only affects an individual's well-being but also hampers their productivity and positive contributions to the community. Culturally, mental health remains a taboo subject, seldom discussed openly, even within the family setting. Breaking down these cultural barriers is essential for fostering open conversations about mental health at the academic level. By addressing mental health issues in educational institutions, we create an environment where honest discussions can take place, and students can learn about healthy coping mechanisms. To actively contribute to addressing this social issue, I have engaged in initiatives aimed at promoting mental health awareness and destigmatizing the conversation around it. I participate in local campaigns and advocate for increased accessibility to mental health resources for youth. Additionally, I have taken the initiative to organize events within my community that provide a platform for open discussions on mental health, encouraging my peers to share their experiences and challenges. By working collaboratively with educational institutions, local communities, and advocacy groups, I strive to contribute to a paradigm shift where mental health is prioritized and openly addressed. Through these efforts, I aim to create a more supportive environment for today's youth, facilitating their access to mental health resources and fostering a culture of understanding and empathy.

Crafting a purposeful and impactful life centered around service to others has been a fundamental aspect of my journey, driven by the profound influence of my grandmother, whom I affectionately call Mami. She served as the guiding force in our family, demonstrating the transformative power of selflessness and compassion. Despite lacking formal education, Mami's wisdom and unwavering commitment to prioritizing others left an indelible mark on our community. Growing up under Mami's nurturing presence, I imbibed the importance of putting others first and the true essence of leadership. Her mantra, "Aqui mando yo" (I am in charge here), wasn't about authority but about taking responsibility for the well-being of others. Mami's acts of kindness, whether towards family, friends, or strangers, revealed the depth of her compassion. Her legacy of service has become my guiding light, inspiring me to live a life dedicated to the betterment of others. The impact of Mami's mission extends beyond familial ties; it resonates within me, driving my commitment to being a catalyst for positive change. From organizing donation drives to advocating for social justice, my intentional efforts stem from a lifelong aspiration to be a voice for the voiceless. The pandemic provided a poignant reminder of societal disparities as I connected with minority-identifying students facing financial challenges. Recognizing the importance of representation, I embraced the responsibility to create a supportive environment for them. Being for and with others is not merely a mission but a way of life that demands intentionality and prioritization of others' needs. It requires empathy, compassion, and a willingness to utilize one's gifts for the betterment of the world. This calling, deeply ingrained within me, shapes my actions and decisions. As a woman, I embrace a unique role in embodying the nurturing spirit historically associated with my gender. The inherent strengths of empathy and compassion, when channeled towards service, contribute to the creation of a more just and equitable world. This belief propels my decision to pursue a career in medicine—a field where I can combine my fascination with the human body with the innate desire to help individuals overcome illness and restore their health. In both high school and my first year of college, I actively engaged in opportunities within healthcare and nonprofit organizations. These experiences provided profound insights into the diverse challenges people face, reinforcing the urgent need for compassion. Participating in donation drives heightened my awareness of the empathy deficit in the world, further fueling my dedication to making a positive impact.

Growing up in a community where everyone had similar backgrounds led me to believe that society places a great priority on the health and education of ALL children because society instills the notion that children are the future of the world. However, I experienced a huge cultural shift after I moved to the United States. The lack of representation for minorities is a major issue in my town. As an Afro-Latina woman surrounded by Black and Hispanic peers, the scarcity of non-white staff members at our school made it easy to feel there weren’t many adults who genuinely understood us, and as a result our voices often went unnoticed. This feeling intensified when I walked into numerous doctors’ offices and rarely saw any healthcare providers who were people of color, adding to the pervasive feeling of not being understood. During my freshman year amid the pandemic, I took part in Rhode Island Tutoring, working with several minority-identifying middle school students through Zoom. Because I also come from an underrepresented background, they felt comfortable telling me about the challenging circumstances they faced, including their home lives, financial situations, and lack of adequate healthcare. From their accounts, I realized that even children can perceive the fundamental issues within our society, even if they can't understand them completely. I concluded that one key problem was a lack of people in positions of power who come from similar backgrounds, and who could represent these voices and struggles. This lack of attention toward those students prompted me to seek further discussion and action. I contacted families directly to get their perspectives, then urged them to meet with school administrators to find ways to cover their health insurance needs. Unfortunately, many of the parents are immigrants who don't speak English or don't know how to get the right help for themselves and their families. Without advocacy, these students and their families could not receive any assistance because of a lack of representation and familiarity with their situations. Seeing how society’s biased attitudes can impact equal access to quality care pushed me to become more community oriented for the rest of my high school career. I decided to become a member of the Black Student Union at my school, joined a program to read to Elementary School students, led my own donation drive to give back to my homeland, and organized a contribution campaign to help those affected by environmental injustices. In the process, I built amazing friendships and connections that flourished because of our passion to help.

I was born and raised in a small house in Barranquilla, Colombia. While my dad labored away on another continent, my mother worked long hours at a local laboratory to ensure that my brother and I could live comfortably. My brother, my grandparents, and an aunt who is not significantly older than me made up the majority of my immediate family. Growing up in a community where everyone had similar backgrounds resulted in always believing that society places a great value on the health and education of all children since society instills the notion that children are the future of the world. However, as time passed after I moved to the United States, I experienced a huge cultural shift. The lack of representation for minorities is a major issue in my town. As an Afro-Latina woman surrounded by a majority of black and Hispanic peers, I realize there aren't many non-white staff members at our school who we feel genuinely understand us, therefore our voices often go unnoticed as a response. I realized this even more when I became fluent in the English language and walked into the doctor's office to rarely see healthcare providers who are people of color, so I didn’t always feel understood. During my freshman year amid a pandemic, I became aware of a tutoring program. Rhode Island Tutoring consisted of instructing a few minority-identifying middle school students through Zoom. These same students would frequently speak about the issues in their homes, particularly their financial situations. Because I also come from an underrepresented background, they felt comfortable telling me about their situations, such as their lack of adequate healthcare. These comments made me understand that even children can see fundamental issues within society, even if they can't understand them completely. I concluded there aren't many people who come from similar backgrounds in positions of power and representation truly holding heavy weight. This lack of attention toward those students required further discussion and action. I contacted families directly and asked for their input then urged school administrators around the state to find ways to cover these students and their families' health insurance. Unfortunately, we were dismissed like these families when it comes to adequate healthcare. Many of the parents are immigrants who don't speak English or don't know how to get themselves and their families the right help. Without advocacy, these students would not receive any assistance because of the lack of representation and familiarity in places that most people do. Learning society’s biased attitudes can influence equal access to quality care pushed me to become more community oriented for the rest of my high school career. I decided to become a member of the Black Student Union at my school, joined a program to read to Elementary School students, lead my own donation drive to give back to my homeland and organize my own contribution campaign to help those being affected by environmental injustices, as well as many other things. With the assistance of the Voila Natural Lifestyle Scholarship, I wish to continue dedicating my time to campaigns, drives, and other activities to promote underprivileged communities throughout my life. I intend to later attend medical school to assist those who are experiencing hardships similar to those I have seen in my community and those who have had similar experiences to the one I first had with my parents.

I began instructing a few minority-identifying students through Zoom during the pandemic. These same students would frequently speak about the issues in their homes, particularly their financial situations. As someone who also comes from an underrepresented background, they felt comfortable telling me about their situations, like their lack of adequate healthcare. These comments helped me understand that even children can see fundamental societal issues, even if they can't understand them completely. This experience also made me realize there aren't many people who come from similar backgrounds in positions of power. Who can these kids open up to about problems that others simply can't relate to? And how can we fix this systemic difference in representation? I decided this challenge required further action because it is a social injustice. I urged school administrators around the state to find ways to cover these students' and their families' health insurance. Unfortunately, we were dismissed much like these families when it comes to adequate healthcare. Many of the parents are immigrants who either don't speak English or don't know how to get themselves and their families the right help. Without advocacy, I reached the conclusion that these students would not receive any assistance because of the lack of representation and familiarity in places that most people do. Learning that society’s biased attitudes can influence equal access to quality care and education pushed me to become more community oriented in almost every sense. I decided to become a member of the Black Student Union at my school, lead my own donation drive to give back to my homeland, and organize my own contribution campaign to help those being affected by environmental injustices. All of this encouraged me to keep doing what I could to support my community and those affected by injustice. I will partake in the Hispanic and a Black Student Union or make one if there isn’t one yet with my peers and faculty, welcoming everyone but especially to unify and bring about reforms within our institution. I have plans to later attend medical school so that I may assist those who are going through hardships similar to those I have seen in my community. While pursuing my education, I want to continue advocating for individuals facing underrepresentation to address the issues that are unique to our communities. Additionally, I want to dedicate my time to keep initiating campaigns, drives, and other initiatives to support disadvantaged communities throughout my lifespan.