Ali is a senior at Boston University (BU), pursuing a major in Health Science and a minor in Psychology, preparing to pursue a Senior Thesis for Distinction, in which she will study loneliness, word use, and affect among individuals with Schizophrenia. In high school, Ali was a high-achieving student-athlete who always wore a smile. Most of her community was unaware, however, that Ali was struggling with anxiety, OCD, self-harm, and bipolar disorder and was simultaneously undergoing treatment at numerous psychiatric treatment facilities. With the unrelenting support of her friends, family, and treatment teams, Ali has taken enormous steps forward in her recovery and is grateful that she now has the opportunity to inspire others and play that role in the lives of youth. Ali’s mantra is “inspire and be inspired.” She aspires to pursue a career in mental health and is eager to utilize her experiences to cultivate empathy and reduce stigma around mental illness.