A Life-Altering Diagnosis in 2015
In September 2015, my world was rocked when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. I took a leave of absence from my undergraduate studies to take care of my mother and treat the severe depression I had been diagnosed with as I faced the possibility of losing my mother and my best friend. Desperate for support and solace, I turned to the Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation (Wellspring). It was there that I found comfort and a platform to share my family’s experience with cancer and my battle with depression. As a member of Wellspring, I was invited to Austin, Texas to speak to an audience of 500 people to express the significant role that Wellspring played in saving my life. The response was overwhelming; I was met with a standing ovation and a flood of personal stories.
My involvement with Wellspring helped me realize the power of sharing personal experiences to foster understanding, connection, and empathy. My speech prompted my commitment to raising awareness about mental health, challenging societal stigmas, and supporting those facing similar challenges.
Shaping a Purpose-Driven Path Through Law
The lessons of kindness and gratitude instilled by my parents, combined with my time spent in my mother’s office at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Legal Branch, helped me see the critical role of legal policy in promoting community well-being. The formative hours spent in my mother’s office helped inform and welcome the belief that as a lawyer, I could make a tangible difference in the lives of others and contribute meaningfully to my community.
My pursuit of a law degree became not just a personal ambition but a manifestation of my deep-rooted desire to help others and my community. Despite the financial strain it placed on my family, my parents’ emphasis on education and belief in my success propelled me forward, culminating in my achievement as the first in my family to attend university and pursue legal studies.
Navigating Academia with Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression have been all-too-familiar companions throughout my academic journey, from my undergraduate degree to my law and master’s degrees. I know the challenges associated with being a student, particularly a law student—the intense competition, the high stakes, and the self-imposed pressure to excel amongst highly driven, successful, and intelligent people. My self-imposed pressure to succeed stems from my father’s unwavering dedication to our family, which is a significant source of inspiration for me. Despite my father being retired, he continues to work part-time, driven by his belief in my potential and desire to ensure that my future is free from financial hardship.
Advocating for Wellness in Legal Education
Yet, what brings me peace is supporting and helping others, especially students, by offering encouragement, kindness, and reassurance. When I learned about the opportunity to serve as the Graduate Student Representative on the Dean’s Mental Health and Wellness Committee, I immediately applied. I was incredibly thrilled to be elected by my peers.
Fostering a Culture of Compassion and Kindness
As a committee member, I work alongside faculty members and student wellness professionals to voice the concerns of graduate students regarding their mental health challenges and the ways the faculty can provide better support for us. One of my key contributions has been advocating for greater empathy and understanding amongst students during exam periods and eliminating the stigma surrounding accommodated testing support.
Others and I have heard murmurs in the law school about students who are absent from standard exam locations and speculations surrounding their absence. It’s concerning to me that these conversations may discourage students from seeking accessibility support out of fear that their peers will find out and wrongly assume they’re gaining an unfair advantage through exam accommodations. This perception—that accommodated testing somehow makes things easier—is one I’ve heard echoed on campus, and it is simply not true. During exam periods, I gently remind others to lead with empathy and refrain from judgment.
As a long-time advocate for mental health awareness, particularly in academic spaces where anxiety and depression often persist, I am so grateful to have a platform to share the importance of raising awareness and enhancing mental health literacy, which is crucial in combating stigma and alleviating feelings of isolation.
This role has reinforced my belief that meaningful change starts with open dialogue and collective action. Through compassion, kindness, and education, we can further cultivate a law school culture that prioritizes mental well-being alongside academic excellence.