Living With Undiagnosed Mental Illnesses

All my life my parents have taught me the value of helping others. Having different experiences and growing up in an atmosphere where the need of others were put before our own, led me to have a desire to be a social worker. Believing that being a social worker involves many special skills, as an example one of those that u need to interact with people from different cultures and principles than me. For as long as I remember I have had the desire to become a social worker inspiring people and developing people that will drive me to dedicate my excitement and dedication to do what is important in this dream job a reality.

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.

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

For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to pursue a career in social work. Helping others is something I have always been passionate about and I hope to be able to make a difference in the lives of those around me. Throughout my life, I have always been the person my friends would go to when something was wrong and they needed to talk. Growing up, I also experienced close family members struggle with addiction and mental health problems. I have seen how damaging these experiences can be on an individual. I have also witnessed the effects these experiences can have on family relationships. My personal occurrences have instilled in me a further desire to become a social worker.

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.

Personal Statement My primary purpose for entering the social work field was due to my life experiences. Domestic violence, bullying, and mental illness has greatly influenced me and the path that I have taken. I came from a home where domestic violence was normal. My father was a traditional man, who was also an alcoholic and a drug addict.

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

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

Starting from being a certified nursing assistant, to becoming a unit secretary for a hospital that specialize in wound care, I have always known that I wanted to help individuals in need. However, I noticed that I was not happy with helping individuals in medical need. It wasn’t until I decided to continue my education that I introduced to the world of social work. Going up with a single mother that suffered from drug abuse, my family depended on social services for a lot of assistance, from everything such as food stamps to family counseling. This life experience helped guide my thoughts on pursuing social work as a career. I know that I want to help individuals that are down on their luck, but I want to take it one step farther, by providing individual counseling to adults that may need more one on one time, than what is normally given from a social service agency. Counseling will also give me a chance to do what I love most and that is to talk and get to know the individuals that I am helping make like changing decisions. Working as a clinical social work has my interest because it does not put limits on what I can do or who I can help, and it will set me up for my future goal of becoming a licensed clinical social worker. Being my own boss and changing my community is my dream job, opportunity and goal. I am currently on my way with changing my community and living my dream, because I am currently working for a non-profit

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

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.

My desire to pursue a career in Social Work has stemmed from the positive life experience I have obtained both in and outside of school. It has always been my aspiration in life to have a voice for others when they need it. I am currently studying Sociology, Religion, ICT and Business. I am very enthusiastic about my subjects as I have a keen desire to study and work within the field of Social Work.

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

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

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.