M. Morrison

If I could create a meaningful change around one issue in my school, community, or globally, it would be the prioritization of Black Americans’ mental health, with a severe emphasis on children. Yearly in Black communities, drug and addiction rates are on a steady increase. This continues to diminish the Black economy and send more and more people into poverty. My passion and hope is to become a clinical child psychologist so that I may face this problem head on. The opportunity for substantial health care for Black Americans is very little to none. I hope to change that. I plan on opening up a clinic of my own where healthcare is affordable and Black Americans have a place to come and receive proper care for their mental health.

I believe that mental health is just as important as physical, and the incline in suicide rates proves my point even more. Black Americans who struggle with mental health must do so alone, or if they can receive care, they are prescribed with medicine that becomes an addiction and dependency in their life. Therefore, they never truly learn how to cope without it. I want to provide them the chance to receive psychotherapy as a first option, because sometimes all you need is someone to listen to you and hear you out. If it came to the point where medicine needed to be a solution, I would make it a temporary one, not a forever.

I eventually would want clinics like this to be set up around the country, and get government officials involved to provide even more resources for the Black community. Although Black Americans are the primary target, in order to bridge gaps and gain stronger inclusivity, I would expand my practices to all.

I plan to receive my education from Howard University in the Fall of 2025. Howard University is known for its academic excellence, alongside demonstrating strong qualities within the realm of medicine and healthcare practices. Due to its location in Washington, D.C., I am surrounded by all the people that can help me with my mission. I can work alongside people within our government to create programs, bills, foundations, grants, etc., all with the mindset of creating a better life for all minorities.

With the Darrelle Revis Foundation scholarship money, I plan to use those funds towards my tuition so that I may receive the most profound and necessary education and resources that I need to change the world around me.