From Medicine to Mental Health Advocacy: My Journey to Public Health
“I realized that untreated mental health conditions profoundly affect both individuals and communities, deepening my understanding of health to encompass both physical and mental well-being.”
Emerging Leaders: Intern Spotlight
Kristen Glick, MPH
2024 SPHC Marketing & Community Engagement Intern,
Advocate For Mental Health
Did you know that over 50% of people with a mental illness in the United States go untreated? Or that over 50 million Americans experience a mental illness, including more than 2.7 million youth with severe major depression? Growing up, I did not realize how common struggles with mental health are. I never even encountered conversations surrounding mental health until I reached college.
Going into my undergraduate experience at the University of Washington in Seattle, I planned to follow the pre-medicine track and apply to medical schools after graduation. I have always had an affinity for science and a fascination with the medical field. However, it was during my time at university that my understanding of health expanded to include not just physical, but also mental well-being.
In college, I witnessed friends and classmates grappling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. The more I learned about mental health, the more I could see signs of struggles in myself and some of my family members as well. These experiences opened my eyes to the critical importance of mental health care and the significant gap in knowledge and awareness. I also noticed the lack of resources and support available to those in need. I began to see the profound impact that untreated mental health conditions can have on individuals and communities. This realization inspired me to shift my focus from solely pursuing medicine to considering a career that also integrates mental health advocacy and support, which is how I landed on public health. I decided to pursue my Master of Public Health (MPH) through The George Washington University’s (GWU) remote program.
During my time in the MPH program, I had the privilege of building a strong foundation for public health knowledge and practice, as well as pursue some of my interests and passions in health. Courses including global child health, women’s health, environmental and occupational health, and microbiomes and microbial ecology brought mental health into the conversation. I learned about progress in mental health research, resources that exist, and health promotion programs that have been developed to try to address gaps in care and access. I also gained knowledge on the wide array of factors that influence mental health outcomes.
Building upon my passion for mental health was one of my favorite aspects of the MPH program. I also enjoyed branching out into new topics, learning new skills, and applying them to all areas of public health practice. I saw that the gaps that persist within mental health are seen within most areas of health. Certain populations experience a disproportionate impact from health issues, and numerous barriers in the system make accessing resources difficult. The biggest takeaway I gained from my coursework is that multiple overlapping factors contribute to health issues and, therefore, there are several perspectives from which to view and address them.
As a part of the MPH program, I had the opportunity to complete a practicum, which led me to Smart Public Health Consulting (SPHC). SPHC’s mission to improve health literacy in underserved communities really resonated with me. I wanted to gain experience communicating health information with a specific goal and target audience in mind. Knowledge is power, and I think that when it comes to finding health information or tracking down resources, it can be overwhelming for many people. They may not know where to start or what to look for. Sharing simple, easy-to-digest information and resources can help make health knowledge and health care more accessible, and this is exactly what I got to be a part of during my time with SPHC. I helped curate content through our LinkedIn page, education posters, and monthly newsletter. The process allowed me to practice developing resources tailored to a particular target audience. The skills I gained from this experience helped me to be more mindful of health literacy and target populations in my classes, and the knowledge from my coursework provided me with perspective in approaching my work with SPHC. Through both my practicum experience and GWU coursework, my passion for understanding the impact of health issues (including mental health) on specific populations, promoting awareness, and improving access to health services was reaffirmed.
As my MPH and practicum experience with SPHC come to an end, I am deeply grateful for the knowledge and skills I have developed. Looking forward, I am eager to apply this experience to my work in the public health field. My coursework at GWU exposed me to a wide variety of public health topics, helping me to realize that my interests are broad. Mental health and women’s health continue to stand out as two of my primary passions, but as a lifelong learner, I hope to continue gaining knowledge in new areas, learning new skills, and strengthening current ones as I continue my journey in public health. Ultimately, I am committed to making a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of communities. I am excited to contribute to improved health systems that recognize all influences on health and make equitable care accessible to all. Here’s to what’s next!
