As we continue to explore innovative ways of improving equitable mental health access and treatment, we know one major way we can help is by supporting young adults from all backgrounds and identities in their mental health-related studies. Mental health professions are broader than you may think – it includes historically recognized practices such as counseling and social work, as well as fields of study such as nursing and health science. The professionals in these fields should be as representative as the populations they serve. Culturally competent healthcare must be a priority if we are to make mental health a more approachable and trusted topic.
With that, Active Minds is proud to announce we have awarded our inaugural Emerging Scholars Nash Family Scholarship to three students working to make a difference in the mental health field. These students all show a dedication to healthcare equity, commitment to their studies and future plans, and of course, a passion for mental health. Each student will receive a total of $30,000 to help fund their graduate studies, made possible by generous support from Avi and Sandra Nash. Learn more about this year’s scholars below, and check out our website for additional details on the scholarship.
Alyssa Garza
Alyssa is an Indigenous Latina pursuing a master’s degree in counseling at Louisiana State University – Shreveport. Post-graduation, she plans on implementing her knowledge and skills learned from this program to assist those struggling with mental health challenges, and in particular working with individuals of minority populations, women of color, and survivors of domestic abuse. Her hobbies include traveling, attending live music performances, cooking, and yelling at the TV during the Cowboys’ football games.
Jana LeBert
Jana is a recent graduate of Howard University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a double minor in biology and community health education. She will pursue a master’s degree in public health with a concentration in behavioral, social, and health education sciences at Emory University this fall. She seeks to continue gaining experience in the field of behavioral health to advocate for increasing minority mental healthcare accessibility, culturally competent healthcare administration, and decreasing health disparities for Black and Brown youth and their communities.
Adilene Marquez
Adilene Marquez is pursuing a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Population Mental Health and Wellbeing at the Colorado School of Public Health. She hopes to continue her career in Public Health in dedication to lessening the burden that mental health and substance use disorders have on the health of individuals, families, and communities while maintaining an equity lens and engaging as a cultural broker. Adilene believes everyone deserves an equal opportunity to a healthy life, and one must actively disrupt the systematic barriers created to exclude marginalized communities. Her hobbies include reading, traveling, trying new food places, attending concerts, and going on walks.
Congratulations to this year’s scholarship awardees – we can’t wait to see how you will use your passion for mental health accessibility and equity throughout your careers!
