I knew I wanted to pursue a career in mental health upon entering the field at the age of 14. This decision was largely due to my personal attachment to mental health, and seeing those closest in my life being touched by mental health struggles in some way, shape, or form. Growing up, when I told people I was interested in mental health, a common response would be, “Are you going to be a therapist or psychiatrist?” Hmm, I had been to therapy before, but wasn’t set on being a clinician, I would often think to myself. I remember opposing forces of being determined to enter the field of mental health conflicting with my perception of a therapist and psychiatrist being the only two career paths in the field.
Once I was introduced to the field of public health in my undergraduate education at UCLA, I began to understand that mental health is part of a larger field under the umbrella of public health. Now, 10 years later, I have a robust knowledge and understanding of how vast the field of mental health really is, and how there is a space for people of all interests.
Currently, I am pursuing my master’s degrees at UCLA and will earn two master’s degrees in Public Health and Social Welfare. As a mental health activist, I was drawn to pursuing master’s degrees in Public Health and Social Welfare because I wanted to address mental health challenges from multiple angles. I realized that to make a real impact, I needed to understand both the broader systemic issues and the individual experiences of those affected by mental health conditions.
With a background in public health, I can work on tackling mental health issues at a population level, focusing on policy development, program implementation, and community-based interventions. At the same time, a social welfare perspective allows me to provide direct support to individuals and families, advocating for those who often struggle to navigate the mental health system. This dual approach enables me to bridge the gaps between policy and practice, ensuring that mental health services are not only available but also accessible and effective for those who need them most. My experience as an activist has fueled my passion for creating meaningful, large-scale change while staying committed to compassionate, person-centered support. I found that pursuing graduate studies would allow the opportunity to specialize my education in concentrations that I am passionate about and fields I can see myself working in.
After I graduate, I plan to work in the field of mental health and public health policy. As a mental health activist, I pursued master’s degrees in public health and social welfare because I’m committed to creating systemic change while supporting individuals and communities. In public health, I am particularly interested in developing and evaluating policies that promote mental health equity and integrating mental health services into broader healthcare systems. I want to work on initiatives that address the social determinants of mental health and also work to reduce disparities in access to care.
In the field of social welfare, I’m focused on advocating for and providing direct support to individuals and families navigating mental health challenges. I hope to contribute to programs that empower underserved communities and improve mental health outcomes through trauma-informed and culturally responsive services. I feel excited to apply my skills in data analysis, program evaluation, and policy development to my future work – whether it’s designing effective interventions, improving service delivery, or shaping policies that impact mental health care. I’m also looking forward to leveraging my experience in public speaking and activism to build awareness and influence change on a larger scale, ensuring that mental health is a priority in all areas of policy and practice.
For me personally, I feel that these fields would be most rewarding and enjoyable for my interests and particular skill set. I also plan to continue my mental health and suicide prevention activism by maintaining my board member positions and speaking at engagements when I can.
The moral of the story is: you do not have to know what you want to do right away. It can take time to realize what you are passionate about, and that is okay. The important thing is to do things that you enjoy and study subjects that genuinely interest you.
Everything is always going to work out in the end, and what is meant for you will be for you.
