Personal Statement For Psychiatry

The decision to pursue a career in psychiatry was a result of multiple personal and academic experiences. Prior to entering medical school, I had the opportunity to work with organizations such as Children’s Aid Society (CAS), Mental Health Connections (MHC), and the ADHD and Alzheimer’s Clinic of Windsor. Each organization provided different learning opportunities. At CAS I worked with a 1st grade child with a speech impediment and appreciated the importance of patience, perseverance, and stability. During the development of my resource project at MHC, I witnessed the challenges of individuals from low-socioeconomic backgrounds in accessing invaluable community mental health resources. As an administrative assistant at the ADHD and Alzheimer’s Clinic – by listening and working with patients, I realized that I was excited to be part of a support team and had developed an intellectual curiosity to further understand mental health. It was during this time that I had another experience with mental health – albeit this one affected my entire family. My father was diagnosed with …show more content…
Throughout my medical school education and clinical experiences I have learned to place great value on the individual patient’s narrative. I believe that incredibly important information is obtained through sensitivity, empathy, and a willingness to listen. This was evident during my psychiatry rotation experience as I worked at the Veteran’s Affairs facility. I worked with individuals who struggled to acclimate back into society. Although many had suffered from physical ailments, they were also suffering in a much less tangible way with their mental health. While interacting with these individuals, I realized that through mindfulness and communication, healthcare providers were able to provide more comprehensive care – a lesson that I look forward to utilizing during my future career in