Moreau Final Integration Integration 2 The Intersection of Past Experiences and Future Goals In the future, I want to be a leader that is able to help break the stigma surrounding mental health - whether that be through research, writing, or clinical experience. As of now, a specific goal of mine would be to own an individual practice as a psychiatrist. I would also be really interested in researching the use of natural medicines to treat mental disorders - another stigmatized field in medicine. To accomplish this, I plan to major in neuroscience, and try to gather research throughout my college experience. Notre Dame has an especially large range of research options in psychology, and I am excited to explore those when I am eligible sophomore year. In week 10, we considered how stereotypes are perpetuating our society, yet there are so many more biases that we haven't even talked about in class. Specifically, there is a huge stigma regarding personality disorders that is ignored in our society today - and this is a prevalent issue in my life today that has inspired me to pursue this as a future occupation, but also as a passion. Even though this path is considered rigorous and demanding, I believe that I am fit for it as I view school and education as a gift, and something that is exciting. I genuinely enjoy learning, and I want to be a psychiatrist to be able to help people in need - not for the title, or for financial reasons. I hope that this approach will guide me in my career and help to keep me centered and focused. I believe that I am capable of accomplishing my goals because I have gained a sense of self confidence in the past few years, which has allowed me to be able to relate and connect with people at a deeper level. In early high school, I used to not know who I was, or what I stood for: I just wanted to fit in. In week 11, I was given the chance to reflect about how I have grown to develop a broader sense of community throughout this first semester. In the reading, there was a quote that said, “ Community begins not externally but in the recesses of the human heart”, and I have found this to be true. Throughout the process of becoming more confident in myself - whether it be my appearance, my interests, or my weight, I have been able to develop deeper and more spiritual connections with other people. This has helped me to be able to understand myself and others to a deeper level, and allow me to have the capacity to help my peers. I have made more friends in the first three months of college than I have in the four years of highschool, and I think that is due to my self confidence flourishing in a new environment. Becoming an impactful psychiatrist and working in the mental health industry requires an ability to create relationships with the clients you are working with. To be able to do so, I need to remember that “great, fruitful conversation comes from two people engaging in one another’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences.” (Week 4). This discussion, about how to connect with people in a meaningful and equal manner, is a concrete method that I can work on to help better connect with people. If I am able to offer small parts of my own journey that others can connect with, it may allow them to feel welcome to open up to me. Another personal strength, which I think I will be able to use to help change the stigma regarding mental health, is my ability to show vulnerability by example. I think that being vulnerable with myself, my journey with OCD, and explaining how normal it is, helps others to feel open to expressing their own issues. I am not embarrassed by my OCD, and the more I am open about, the more my friends and peers want to know. It's not a weakness, it is just something I live and work with. In week 1, this belief was further cemented by watching Brene Brown’s video, which had actually been previously recommended to my mother, who is a clinical psychologist for adolescents. Her TED talk moved me, because it discusses how wholeheartedness and the power of vulnerability. Through being vulnerable, we are able to give and receive a deeper sense of love which is needed in intense relationships. Lastly, another strength that I have to accomplish my dreams is the relationship I have with my Catholic faith - one that throughout this semester Notre Dame has helped me to develop. Although I am not sure where I stand in regards to organized religion, I am so grateful to be under the presence of some many accomplished priests and clergy. In week 12, we got to see Father Hesburgh’s library, and I was so impressed by how grounded and humble he was. He is a shining example of how I want my faith to guide my life. He used his connection to God and his spirituality to stand up to injustices and make deep social connections with people. As Marty said, he made “everyone feel at ease,” and I hope I can use my faith to do the same. Additionally, during my career, there will be times where I will need to lean on my faith in order to gain a sense of clarity. Continuing to develop a stronger relationship with God will allow me to remain centered and focused. In week 5, this idea was further cemented when we discussed how Notre Dame offers a holy cross education - that is - an integrated way of using faith to serve in our education and careers. The final aspect of my personality, one that I have come to develop over the past year, is my “hope, not just optimism” (Week 11 - Father Kevin). I believe that this unwavering hope can inspire those who feel as if they don’t have a future. By remaining positive that there is joy in the future for everyone, I can inspire the clients I work with to get better for themselves and for their families.