Tanica

I am Tanica Campbell, a 22-year-old Jamaican woman with big dreams, a deep love for people, and a burning desire to make a difference. I’m the big sister of four younger brothers, and every single day, I try to show them that tertiary education isn’t just important but also powerful. I want them to see that it’s possible to come from humble beginnings and still build something great. I chose psychology not because it was trendy or popular. In fact, in both Jamaica and even here in college, I’ve heard people talk down on it. “Psychology? That nuh serious.” “That degree cya do nutten.” But I always go back to that line from a popular Jamaican song: “Do it fi the love, me nuh do it fi the hype.” I’ve never been about hype. I’m in this because I love it. Psychology is more than a subject for me it is my calling. I didn’t choose it; it chose me. Growing up, my parents worked overseas to provide for us, and my aunt stepped in to raise me and my siblings while also working full-time. She did an amazing job, and I’m forever grateful. But during those years, I realized something while our physical needs were being met, our mental and emotional needs were often pushed to the side. It wasn’t anyone’s fault really; mental health just wasn’t something people talked about, even though it affected us every day. That silence is what made me want to understand the mind, behavior and how our experiences shape us. The World Health Organization includes mental health in its definition of overall health but in many societies including my own its still overlooked. I want to be part of the change that brings mental health to the front of the conversation, especially in communities like mine where people are suffering in silence. I was not always good at school in fact in my earlier years I did not give it much time and effort. Thus I want to remind students that time is precious and every second counts.