When I saw the opportunity to join a workforce internship in my last semester at UNLV, I jumped on it immediately. I had heard from students I was elbow buddies with in class about all of the people they got to connect with through COLA, and it brought them news on so many things happening around campus that they might have missed out on. As a first-generation student who worked full time and at one point had three jobs while attending UNLV, this was the first time I had the availability to really plug in and see where I could be of service. I found the perfect opportunity by working with the National Alliance of Mental Illness of Southern Nevada (NAMI). When I read the description of what NAMI does for the Southern Nevada affiliate, I was shocked to see the organization's impact. They are the largest grassroots mental health association in the country and provide the community with peer-supported mental health services and resources.
As a soon-to-be alumna graduating with my Bachelor's in Psychology and minoring in Family Studies, learning how to serve my community mental health discussions and guide those who need resources was incredible. I had to be a part of this. The services provided at NAMI directly correlate with what I wanted to do while studying in my undergrad and have helped prepare me to make connections for grad school as I look into my MS in Couples and Family Therapy. My minor degree truly helped me flourish when working helpline shifts and understanding the people I would meet on a deeper level, as it exposed me to a variety of traditions, perspectives, and approaches to life. I am interested in simply being the tool to guide those experiencing mental illness in any way to get the resources they need. As I prepare for graduate school, volunteering will be made easier as I get to learn about different positions at NAMI and different organizations in the Las Vegas Valley. The best tip I can give to anyone who is willing to serve is to simply be willing.
A valuable piece of advice for those eager to serve is to embrace a willingness to learn. Being willing means acknowledging vulnerability in the learning process and accepting both the challenges and triumphs that come with acquiring new skills. While the journey may be time-consuming, the satisfaction of assisting someone who once faced similar struggles makes every effort worthwhile. This shared cycle unites us, emphasizing that achieving any goal is a marathon, not a sprint.
