Living With Undiagnosed Mental Illnesses

PERSONAL STATEMENT The number one reason that’s repeatedly given as to why one wants to be a social worker is that, they want to help people. They want to make a difference in the world, and I’m no different from everyone else in that aspect. Nevertheless, my main goal for pursuing a Master’s in Social Work is centered on the idea of helping mentally ill patients. I realize that mental health encompasses a continuum of severe disorders, to the most common mental issues, and that they vary in intensity and duration.

I had always adored being in the classroom with her and trying to learn what she was teaching her classes, although they were much higher above my learning level. I had gone to the school with her for a couple years up until the time she had retired. This was an important aspect of my life because as I got older, English was always my strong point in school. Having her teach me how to read and write helped me become advanced in my English classes. I had always gotten high grades in all of my English courses or I was always put in the higher level reading groups at school. My grandmother really helped me establish a broad range of vocabulary; with this I was able to write quite well even as a young child in my younger

Growing up as a child the youngest of five siblings raised by a single mother from the south side of Chicago, Illinois I experienced many obstacles that I had to overcome daily as a child at a very early age. Chicago has one of the highest murder rates in the United States. The environment I grew up in was very detrimental filled with drugs and violence on every corner. My neighbors were drug dealers and drug addicts who were constantly fighting all the time. My mother worked two jobs full time seven days a week to maintain the household and financial responsibilities. At times I would sell chips, candy and juice in front of stores to make money so that I could help my mother pay the bills and I’d often have to take care of my sick grandmother

I have always known that it is my passion to help people. This is why upon graduating I attended Mohawk College to pursue a career as an Educational Assistant. After receiving my diploma I began my career helping children with special needs. On a daily basis I have interactions with social workers and children who are involved with the Catholic Children’s Aid Society. I have had many eye opening experiences during my time spent with them. I have worked alongside our school’s Social Worker and have gained insight into mental health. Being an E.A. is rewarding, but I have come to the realization that I aspire to do more for children in need; I wish to become a social worker.

She aspired for something better for her children, her mother, and herself. Through grit, determination and force of will, she strove to give us a wonderful childhood while shaping our character, teaching us how to make wise choices in life and recognizing that every choice will create either an opportunity or an obstacle. Instead of sheltering Ellen and me from struggles, Mom encouraged us to take healthy risks and face challenges. By example, she taught us that by hard work, you can achieve your dreams, that putting others before self has great benefits and that staying optimistic is key. My grandmother taught us not to look at those who are worse off because there is no bottom to that, instead, look at those who are better off and ask how to get there! I can't thank them enough for

She taught me that things are not what they seem on the surface and to embrace all my flaws. I was an artist who had a hairpin for a paintbrush and a small corner of the wall for a canvas, and it was my imagination that transforms my wall carving into a masterpiece.

She also taught me to finish something if I started it, and that carried over to my reading. If I start reading a book I always finish it and do my best to understand it. So, she instilled what I know about reading and she influenced the way I read. She always told me, when I was younger, to pronounce my words right so that when I get older I would pronounce my words right. All that she has said to me and taught me when I was coming up as a younger child helped me get to the level of reading I am on today and also to the level of understanding I have of all the words I read. Without her encouraging me in this way I would have had problems understanding things that I read and wouldn’t be as smart as I have grown to be. I am very thankful of how I was brought up as a kid.

I grew up in a single parent household and it was difficult for my mom to raise me on her own because she was always working to support us. This then prompted me to start living with my grandparents at a young age. It was difficult for me to be away from my mom as a young kid, but my grandma would always reassured to me that my mom would always love me. While living with my grandparents I was attached to both of them, but I grew extremely close to my grandma. I spent most of my time with her and she became my best friend, we were inseparable. She taught me everything I know, from how to read to learning about who God was. Her wisdom that she instilled in me has shaped me into the person that I am today. It was not until I was in fifth grade

Having the opportunity to work on becoming a social worker is not something I take lightly. I understand the complexity of people and I understand that no two situations are the same. Having my own variety of hardships will make me more of an understanding and empathetic person. I will be able to relate to my future clients in professional way that not many other may be able. Thus, providing an even different perspective on life, and giving them a sense of security, helping them to believe that they are not just a number or another person on a list of things to

My interest in the field of social work field began with personal experiences early in childhood. Not only did I obtain firsthand knowledge about mental health from therapists, but I was also thrust into a helping role as a teenager. When I was a child, my mother received therapy from a social worker and a psychiatrist after my grandparents after she entered a mental hospital following a suicide attempt. Although the social worker referred my mother to a psychiatrist for an official diagnosis of depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as well for medication, she provided therapy after my mother began treatment and continued for several years.

She showed me how to make sacrifices, put others first, and to get things done. My mom got up at three in the morning to go to work, but she did more than get showered and dressed. My mom would think of dinner and make preparations, let the dog out and feed her, start or finish a load of wash, lay out vitamins for the family, write us a note, and maybe even peek in on me and my brothers while we slept. After work there was cooking, cleaning, folding clothes, ironing, and hanging out with the family before she passed out, exhausted from her day. To this day, my mom will come to visit and do my laundry, cooking, and dishes.

The decision to pursue my education in social work at Dalhousie University was not an easy one. While I was growing up, my career choice changed all of them time, but I always knew that I wanted to do something fulfilling, in which I could “help” and support people. My mom was a nurse and always loved helping people; I always figured I would follow in her footsteps, however I learned at an early age that sciences do not come easy to me. Unfortunately, my mom lost her battle to breast cancer when I was eight years old, so I hope that by me helping people socially, rather than medically like she did, will continue her legacy.

One significant life experience I had in giving help that made me motivated to enter the social work profession was when I went and rebuilt homes after Hurricane Katrina. Seeing how thankful these individuals were to have us there, even immediately after a tragedy had struck, made me very appreciative for my health and the resources I had that could be used to help others. After this trip I had decided that

The reason for my interest in the profession of social work is based on experience. Growing up me and my family utilized a couple of government assistant programs. I also encountered a few social workers as a child as well. We had a caseworker that handled our basic needs such as: food and Medicaid. A caseworker also used to come out to our house and make weekly visits for about a month. Being that all the social workers that I have encountered with were helpful and nice I knew instantly that this was the field I wanted to be in. I wanted to be like them and help others with the same problem my family was going through at the time.

Two years ago I made the decision to pursue my career as a Social Worker. My main reason is the fact that I would love to detect, investigate and help every individual who is part of a society to have access to the same rights and helps just like anyone else. Put in use my personal values as a way of connecting with society and different types of communities by conversing with them in a positive way. Bringing people in need, support and hope so that they can make a better life. I want to be seen and used as a great tool of humanity. I am a firm believer that doing good, allows you to see the true value in life and in the world.