Stop the Stigma by Katherine

Stop the Stigma by Katherine - April 2025 Scholarship Essay

I am planning to attend Gannon University this fall to study criminal justice and psychology. I am excited to choose these because the aspect of solving cases like a puzzle to give the perpetrator and family justice is what I want to do with my life. I have the perfect traits to become an FBI investigator. I am determined, personable, caring and pay great attention to detail. In solving crimes, I want to help the community and society by finding and catching the people who commit crimes. Along with this, helping families of victims also stands out to me. Everyone thinks that nothing bad will ever happen to them or their loved ones, until it does. My being an investigator will mean I can help both society and the families involved with victims of crime.
Not only do investigators take criminals away from where they can cause harm, but they give the families peace in that they will never be hurt again. Helping families through what could be the worst time of their lives means a lot to me because if something were to happen to me or my family, I would want someone who cares as much as possible to help. I want to be that person that not only helps society but also helps grieving people by giving them peace of mind that the criminals who caused their pain will never hurt them or anyone else again.
The stigma surrounding mental health has been an issue forever. Between expectations of how someone is supposed to think and the pressure put on everyone to be perfect all the time, mental health can be a difficult thing to live with. Every day, people all over the world struggle with their mental health. Being a part of or related to a victim of a crime can worsen someone’s mental health by the guilt of what has happened to them or to a loved one. Whether someone loses their life because of a crime, or someone’s life is changed drastically, the toll this takes on a person’s mental health can be significant. I believe the idea that people struggle with mental health issues because of a crime is often overlooked. Many just see that someone’s life has been torn apart, but never the effects that crimes can have on someone for many years to come. I also believe that this type of trauma can manifest itself into drug and alcohol problems that society does not connect.
With my chosen profession, I can try to stop the stigma around mental health and crime by helping that families that crime affects. Victims of crime and their families are often just seen as a statistic and a piece of the puzzle to solve the crime; how they feel, or the long-term toll of the situation is often ignored for the sake of solving the crime. I want to be an investigator that not only helps in the solving but also takes the time to help support the families in their time of crisis. I want to support and reassure them that they are not alone and are strong enough to get through what has happened to them.