A Research Study On A Clinical Nephrology Study While Taking Zither Lessons

The invaluable skills that I have gained and learned through my after school clubs, Future Business Leaders of America, (FBLA) and National Honor Society( NHS), has stirred up a desire in me to help my community and to make a difference in the lives of people, by majoring in the Public Health field. Through Public Health, I will help those in my community at large to live healthy lives; mentally, socially, physically and culturally. Healthcare is an essential need in life and is a great field that would allow me to make a difference.

The NAMI presentation that took place on February 2, 2017 had a really intriguing effect on me. NAMI stands for “National Alliance on Mental Illness”. NAMI provides the In Our Own Voice presentations, which are offered with the goal “to change attitudes, preconceived notions and stereotypes” about mental illness (NAMI North Carolina: North Carolina’s Voice on Mental Illness, n.d.). I am one to hold a stigma against those with mental disorders. The New Oxford American Dictionary says that, stigma is “a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person” (Stevenson & Lindberg, 2011). Even after the presentation, I still do to some extent. The presentation did open my eyes to the fact that people with certain mental disorders can get the treatment they need to live some-what “normal” lives.

After my observations, I have learned a lot about how the the medical aspect of the health care system worked. I always had the mindset that the doctors were the ones who ran everything in a hospital or a clinic. Upon observing, I realized that this was false and that it took teamwork, cooperation, and communication to help create an environment to best serve its patients. When I came into the University of Michigan as well as the Health Sciences Scholar Program, I had set my target to go into family medicine in order to pursue a career as a family physician. I also saw that there were many health disparities and inequities among patients in hospitals as well. I thought maybe I could help fix this if I became a physician. After my observations, I had an ambivalent feeling if I should still continue with what my heart was set on. I never really thought about exploring the vast array of other health-related professions. There were many fields of health professions I had really never thought about and this class as well as my observations had really helped open my eyes to the complexity of the health system to make it work.

According to NAMI, The National Alliance of Mental Illness 1 in 5 adults experience a mental health condition yearly. 1 in 20 people live with a serious mental illness like, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Not only does the person who is directly experiencing a mental illness suffer, but the family, and friends are also highly affected. NAMI states that 50% of mental health conditions begin by age 14 and 75% of mental illnesses develop by age 24. Each year, 1 in 5 children from the ages 13-18 experiences a mental illness reported by NAMI. That’s a large amount of our young generation. Three out of four people with a mental illness report that they have experienced stigma, a mark of disgrace that sets a person apart according to the

One of the biggest contributors for poor healthcare is the stigma against mental health. This stigma allows healthcare providers to view those with a mental illness as having low relevance, thus creating disinclination towards providing adequate resources and/or care. This negative stance, based on misinformation and prejudice creates those that have a mental illness to lose their self confidence. Because of this loss, people with mental illness decide not to contribute to their health or livelihood. In the past fifty years, many advances have been made in mental healthcare. However, with the attached stigma, many people choose to not seek out treatment.

"Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shame us all."

After college, I became a medical anthropologist to help create structural change that would one day improve the system that contributes to the social inequalities that cause to poor health. My plan didn’t work. While my

This journal entry will provide an overview of my personal goals and vision as it relates to becoming a professional in public health. Give a brief synopsis of how the media interviews given by the faculty and health professionals impacted my view of public health. The understanding I wish to garner through this class and the entire Master of Public Health (MPH) program entirely. Finally, discuss the professional contributions I aspire to make in public health.

Understanding public health research and practices in a variety of settings is an important part of my development as an advocate. I am driven to explore the social determinants of sexual and reproductive health, particularly why racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected by negative health outcomes. My service has provided me with the grassroots experience, but there is so much more to learn. PHAP’s training, resources, information, and access to world-renowned professionals will provide me with the knowledge I need to continue in my journey of becoming a versatile public health professional. During my time with PHAP, I will focus my interests while gaining an unparalleled experience in implementing public health programs to reach more communities on a larger scale, something that is unique to PHAP.

Mental health—and the stigma that comes along with it—is a very important issue, one of global importance. Shah and Beinecke explain that 450 to 500 million people suffer from mental illnesses (15). Just considering the amount of people who suffer from mental illness is enough to prove that this is a global issue. Despite the large amounts of people who are affected by mental illness, only one third of countries have some sort of program to help (15). This shows the lack of concern for those who suffer from mental illness. Stereotypes affect many people, and those with mental illness are no exception. Everyone has their own preconceived perspectives and notions of mental health, and many of them are uninformed and unjustified. It is up to us to start changing our viewpoints on mental health.

During a mental health event the First Lady, Michelle Obama said, “At the root of this dilemma is the way we view mental health in this country. [...] Whether an illness affects your heart, your leg or your brain, it’s still an illness, and there should be no distinction.” This shows that mental illness stigma in society is based on mental illness being perceived more negatively than other physical illness when it should actually be seen as the same. Stigma around mental illness has had very immense adverse effects on the willingness of undiagnosed suffers to not seek treatment when they need it. As a result of this one in five people with a mental illness will not get the treatment they need which has the effect of high suicide rates among the untreated sufferers. In an effort to reduce stigma around mental illness, so that more undiagnosed sufferers seek treatment, schools should devote more time to increasing awareness of mental illness and its effects.

After finishing my Undergraduate, I have seen it wise to purse masters in public health, an area that I have much interest in. Having pursed a Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences, minor in psychology, expanding my knowledge in the field of public health has been my next option. The vast knowledge that I have gained learning and working can help me while pursuing this program. Given the chance I would be able to fulfill my career goals.

There are many stigmas, or misconceptions and misperceptions in our society which need to be shattered. I believe that one of the worse possible effects of stigma is that it causes those affected by psychological disorders, or mental illness, to crawl more deeply into themselves because it provokes a sense of shame. Stigma thrusts those suffering with mental illness into a sense of isolation, social exclusion, and discrimination. “Stigma can lead to discrimination … It may be obvious or direct … Or it may be unintentional or subtle…” (Staff). Stigma is often as big as the illness itself and I confess to having been a perpetuator of this dreaded thing, although not consciously aware and without the intent of furthering the harm of someone.

After realizing I wasn’t going to be satisfied being a doctor and helping save lives one patient at a time, I knew I needed to find a different career path. After classes like Social Epidemiology and Introduction to Complex Humanitarian Emergencies, I found a career in public health, was right for me. This field doesn’t limit the ways I can help others, it allows for more growth not only as a nation and a world, but also more personal growth. The seemingly endless possibilities and paths available to someone with an MPH convinced me this was the field I was destined for. My passions and values align with this work; I will not be someone to give up after one failed effort or program, I’ll keep trying. I strongly believe everyone deserves access

My interest in public health stems from a natural inclination and compassion to help people. Although at the time it was not readily apparent that public health was what I was searching for, I found myself focusing my energy on impoverished and destitute population working towards finding them the appropriate health care they needed as well as educating them about healthy lifestyle behaviors. It later became evident to me that all long since undergrad, I have pursued work in public health without realizing it. Only while working as a clinical research coordinator in New York City, I found my calling in public health. Once I was introduced to the field of public health there was a natural affinity formed with research, academia and public health. I was excited to have come across a powerful tool to understand the relationship between exposures and health outcomes and resourcefully come up with effective measures to address health issues at a population level. For these reasons I am pursuing a PhD in epidemiology, which will allow me to pursue my goal of further refining my skills in epidemiology with a career in academia as well as in the non-profit sector.