Mental Health by Asia

Mental Health by Asia - December 2023 Scholarship Essay

I believe mental health might be one of the most declining things in our world right now. My name is Asia Davis. I’m 17 years old and when I go to college I would like to major in psychology.

Psychology refers to the human mind and behavior. Growing up I was always in my head. I always thought it was normal, but once I realized I was in my head more than others, I began to think maybe something’s wrong with me.

l was raised mainly by my mother. I did, however, have a stepdad who was in my life from the age of about five to 16. My mom is one of the strongest women I know. She encourages me to work hard and focus in order to reach my dreams.

Doubting mom as a teenager was my biggest mistake: A mom is one’s best friend, when no one is there, mom is, and it took a while for me to understand that.

Senior year was a huge-eye opener, one of the hardest years in your life! Three months into it, I am depressed and mentally drained. My grades are not as they should be: my mental health has decreased significantly, and I find myself distancing myself from everything and everyone.

Though I mostly put the blame on myself. Going into senior year I can honestly say, I was very unprepared for all that was to come. The stress of applying for scholarships, financial aid, running for homecoming Queen, juggling practice four days a week, and working doubles every weekend. All this by myself. I was a mentally a mess.

On October 15, 2023 I took a step back, suicidal thoughts clouded my mind. Suicide to me was something that impacted a variety of people, not just myself. I had to think about how it would affect my mother, her only daughter gone. How it would affect my best friend; three days after her 18th birthday her best friend is gone. How it would affect my school; their homecoming Queen is gone. But when I think about it, all my pain will be gone. I wouldn’t have any stress, I wouldn’t have any pain, I wouldn’t have any thoughts. There would be no more crying, no more acting alright.

I’ve always been a counselor to my peers and even sometimes adults. I love giving advice and helping because I know how it feels when no one is listening and you have no one to run to. On October 15, 2023 I felt like I had no one, I felt like I had no reason to go on. I felt like I couldn’t continue but I had to think about my future.

Mental health feels different to every person. The mind not only affects 1 person but a variety of people and as I continue to go more into the real world I see how mental health is declining severely. Growing up I wish I had someone I could talk to about my problems, I wish I knew more about the mind and why I felt the way I did. Majoring in psychology will help me help people as I wished someone had helped me.