Mental Health and Education by Eleanore

Mental Health and Education by Eleanore - January 2022 Scholarship Essay

Throughout 2021, I experienced difficult situations and had to learn how to be present and productive in today’s academic society. I got diagnosed with anxiety and depression and have since been attending therapy sessions as well as being on medication. A skill that I developed during 2021 was how to become mentally stable and reach out to others for help

Being mentally stable is much more than you see on the outside when you look at a person. It has more to do with an individuals’ mindset, priorities, and perceived self-worth. I began to learn how to appreciate who I am and find a passion in pursuing my education. My priorities shifted from a selfish mindset to one of growth and gratitude. I began to learn techniques on how to excel in my classes and not let my anxiety and depression take over.

Working on building connections was extremely difficult for me and I made myself a promise that I would work on introducing myself to others and taking a leap of faith when it comes to forming new relationships. Throughout this process, I was able to connect with fellow classmates and actually reach out to my teachers and professors when I needed help, which was so new to me! My academics became much easier for me and my grades began to improve as well, just because I began reaching out to others when I needed help.

2021 has been a very hectic and somewhat discouraging year regarding academics and the structure of school systems nationwide. However, I chose to focus on some skills that I knew would help me not just succeed academically, but also emotionally. This past year I have made so many new connections with those in my school, college, and area of my future career. Being mentally stable and communicating when I needed help made a world of a difference for me and I hope that the stigma around mental health can continue to dissipate and allow others to get the help they need to succeed.