Rebecca’s Dream College 2023 Scholarship Recipients
in memory of Dr. Harlan Haimes
2023 Scholarship Recipients
Attending Aurora University, IL,
“While fighting for change is something many deem difficult, it is something that I have found a passion for, and I hope to use that passion to change how society views mental health. Between volunteering in an emergency medical services facility in my hometown to helping organize an “adopt a freshman” project through my Girl Scout troop, I strive to assist those who are fighting a battle that may not always be visible.”
Attending Howard University
“In the Fall of 2022, I self-published my first children’s book, “I See U.” Since that time, I have been a featured speaker, talking to audiences about the unique emotional needs of this sibling group. People often do not think about younger children experiencing depression. Some of the signs and symptoms of childhood depression may be missed or minimized as moodiness, acting out or shyness. I am working to “ Change the Face of Depression” by bringing awareness to this vulnerable population of children so that they can receive counseling and other needed services.”
Attending Chapman University, Orange, CA
“max’s death (by suicide) really changed my perspective of my own life, especially how much I took normalcy for granted. …I will be entering film school in the Fall and hope to use my voice as a filmmaker to tell stories of those suffering, like Max…these are the stories that others often don’t know about or care about because they do not have a family member struggling with mental illness or never lost someone to suicide.”
Attending Illinois Institute of Technology
“even though depression was an incredibly widespread affliction, many people who experienced symptoms declined testing, diagnosis, and treatment. Why?Stigma. They were taught that people with depression couldn’t work or have families, and because of this, they let illness take over their life without even knowing.”
Attending Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL
“I realized even my classmates who I had gone to school with everyday for the past four years, had classes with, talked in the hallway with and whom I had made my own opinion of, I did not know one of them. Each was dealing with their own battles, each seeking help and even just comfort. Mental illnesses, just like any other struggle, can be found anywhere.”
2022 Scholarship Recipients
“Embodying the ability to conquer a mental illness is not something an individual wakes up one day and achieves. Each day, it is a commitment to fight for the life that one wants to live and continue advocating for others to accomplish the same goals. I have personally struggled with social anxiety and depression throughout my life. It has affected me internally, but it is all about what you do with the life you are given to make it better.”
… “we are trying to focus on getting a club to start up called “Mental Means More.” Our goal is to create a safe environment for students to talk and relate to each other because if it’s anyone who knows us best, it’s each other. …With this group, we are hoping to help students feel more comfortable and safe. We want to change the feeling of helplessness to a feeling of being loved and supported. Mental Health Matters is a proclamation that I intend to share whenever possible!”
“A big part of breaking the stigma that surrounds mental illnesses, is having difficult conversations with those closest to me, especially my own parents. Neither of my parents understand that depression and anxiety is not something that you just ‘get over’…that mental illnesses are things I will work on for the rest of my life… “Is there something wrong with me?” “What does normal even look like?” “Am I ever going to ‘feel better’ like my parents are hoping?” “Why can’t I just stop being sad all the time?” Those questions are my biggest motivation for reducing the stigma around mental illnesses. I want to help others who struggle with the same thoughts; which is where Operation Snowball comes in.”
“At 14 years old, I became increasingly aware of the challenges faced by many of my peers struggling with emotional and mental health issues. Not only did I observe the pain that many of them experienced, but I came to understand the loneliness and lack of support that truly put many of my peers at risk of harm. From my father, I learned about a remarkable organization called Text-A-Tip and immediately knew that I needed to find a way to make my peers aware that there was help out there.”
“How was your week? Are you doing ok?” These two simple pleasantries have become my new weekly mantra. …on every Friday at the end of the week, I will make a post on my Snapchat story with a simple “How was your week? Are you doing ok? “Sometimes with a fun little question or quote. It might seem like an effortless thing to do, and to be honest, it is, but the number of people who have thanked me for doing it made it feel like it was something more significant.”
2021 Scholarship Awards Ceremony
Rebecca’s Dream’s recognizes four outstanding seniors for their leadership by awarding college scholarships:
Tune in to hear what these seniors are doing to fight the stigma of mental illness.
2021 Scholarship Recipients
“Through covering mental illness in my journalistic work, pushing experiences and research to the forefront, I have contributed to the effort of reducing the stigma while providing others a space to voice their truth if they wish.”
“Music celebrates expression of emotions, even negative ones. Many works in classical music sing tragedy, anger, and oppression. And they do this unapologetically; musicians empathize with these emotions and find catharsis in delivering them to the audience. This attitude is one we can apply to expel the stigma of mental illness, which is often exacerbated by keeping emotions to oneself, letting them stagnate inside. Just like a piece of music, mental illness should be received with open mind and empathy, not shame and prejudice.”
“Growing up in an Asian household, mental health was frowned upon and thus never discussed, leading me to feel ashamed of the mental health issues I was experiencing. I became trapped in my emotions.”
“…I developed anxiety in and out of the classroom. My whole life revolved around achieving perfection by suppressing the reality of my racing thoughts. Symptoms of nausea and the inability to sleep proved unbearable every day. On the outside, I was varsity tennis player and honor roll student, but on the inside I struggled to keep up with everyone else.”
2020 Scholarship Recipients
“Some of my fellow peers are supportive of me, but they have trouble understanding why I just can’t get up every day and do my homework like everyone else. In an attempt to help them understand, I occasionally explain that it is like a cold, when you’re constantly tired and your brain feels fuzzy, and that is how I feel all the time. It’s not a perfect analogy but living through it and explaining it are burdens in and of themselves.”
“Reducing the stigma of mental illness truly is about changing one mind at a time ~ and I changed my own first. I don’t want anyone to have to go through what I did, and I will continue to do whatever I can to support those who may feel how I felt.”
“…I mostly fight the stigma of mental illness through my everyday actions. I talk openly about my personal story. When I hear negative comments about mental illness, I use that as a learning opportunity and gently intervene. I remind kids that their language matters and they should understand mental illness before making comments. …showing affection or giving a compliment can make a difference in someone’s day. Most importantly, I fight stigma by not having stigma toward myself. I no longer hide in shame. I volunteer , work and speak about mental illness, while taking my treatment seriously.”
Rebecca’s Dream College Scholarships
in Memory of Dr. Harlan Haimes
Rebecca’s Dream Mental Health Award is an annual award that celebrates three exceptional high school seniors from Illinois schools. These students share in Rebecca’s Dream’s mission and vision to reduce the stigma of mental illness and ‘Change the Face of Depression.’ The high school students selected for this award each received $1,500.00 and recognition on Rebecca’s Dream’s website.
Image: 2019 Benefit – the awardees were recognized at the 14th Annual Benefit and Silent Auction. Susan Haimes presented the awards in memory of her husband, Dr. Harlan Haimes. Joining her in the presentation were daughter Shara Lieberman and granddaughters Hannah and Marissa Lieberman.
2019 Scholarship Recipients
“THE WAYS WE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT TO DEAL WITH OUR MENTAL HEALTH HAS GONE THROUGH MANY GENERATIONS, SO IT HAS TO START WITH US. WE HAVE TO MAKE STEPS TO TRY TO BREAK THE CYCLE BECAUSE TOO MANY BLACK PEOPLE HAVE TO SUFFER IN SILENCE.”
“I STRIVE TO BE LIKE A PEBBLE, THAT WHEN DRIPPED, LEAVES RIPPLES IN ITS WATERS. I WANT MY COMMUNITY IMPACTED BY MY ACTIONS.”
“NOTICING THE SIGNS OF MENTAL ILLNESSES ARE CRITICAL TO ONE’S SUCCESS.”
2018 Scholarship Recipients
“HOLDING A STIGMA PREVENTS PEOPLE WHO ALREADY CARRY A HEAVY BURDEN FROM SEEKING THE HELP THEY NEED. LEADING STUDENTS TO CHOOSE EMPOWERMENT OVER SHAME IS THE FIRST STEP TO MAKE A CHANGE IN THE FACE OF STIGMAS HELD ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH.
“NO ONE UNDERSTANDS WHAT A MENTAL ILLNESS FEELS LIKE UNTIL THEY GO THROUGH IT…IT’S NOT SOMETHING THAT SOMEONE SHOULD GET PUNISHED OVER AND I MAKE IT A POINT IN MY LIFE TO SPREAD THAT AWARENESS TO THE PEOPLE AROUND ME…I WANT TO BE THE PERSON PEOPLE IN MY CIRCLE CAN TURN TO WHEN THEY FEEL HOPELESS.”
“MENTAL ILLNESS HAS AFFECTED ME MY WHOLE LIFE. BUT IT HAS GIVEN ME A MORE LOVING AND EMPATHETIC HEART. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL GIFT. I CANNOT CHANGE THE WAY PEOPLE VIEW IT, BUT WHEN BROUGHT UP IN CONVERSATION, I TREAT IT LIKE A NORMAL TOPIC. IT SHOULDN’T BE AWKWARD. IT IS NOT SHAMEFUL. IT’S LIFE. AND THOSE WHO DEAL WITH IT ARE SOME OF THE KINDEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.”
