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As the public’s awareness of mental health increases, so too does the number of resources available to in-need parties. Jessica Bui went to work to address the mental health issues in her community by joining HOPE Squad, a national youth suicide prevention organization.
It’s in light of Bui’s dedication to the HOPE Squad and her community at large that Miller, Dawson, Sigal, & Ward Injury Attorneys (MDSW) awards her with the second of its 2023/2024 Thumbs Up Guy Scholarship. The team intends to dedicate $2,500 to Bui’s pursuit of her undergraduate degree at Arizona State University.
Challenging the Modern Mental Health Crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic had a marked impact on the nation’s mental health. Unfortunately, Bui and her classmates got to witness this impact firsthand.
In her scholarship essay, Bui reports that she was a high school sophomore when COVID-19 first ripped through the United States. She and her friends transitioned to at-home school as everyone went into quarantine.
While Bui thrived in an at-home environment, she didn’t see her friends benefiting in the same ways. It was in response to the despair she saw among her peers that she joined the HOPE Squad.
Bui and the HOPE Squad
The HOPE Squad’s primary goal is to “prevent suicide through public awareness and education, reduce stigma, and serve as a resource to those touched by suicide.”
The Squad prioritizes a communal effort to talk openly about mental health. Even though Bui’s own mental health didn’t decline during the pandemic, the HOPE Squad’s education-forward activism helped her connect with her friends. It was through her position first as a volunteer and then as a main lead that she came to encourage a school-wide mental health initiative.
Bui’s efforts specifically saw her school develop a “Hope Week.” The “Hope Week” saw students and staff speak openly about youth suicide and the myths about it. Hope Week’s “Friendship Friday” specifically gave disconnected students the opportunity to digitally reconnect with their friends through online games.
Bui’s efforts with the HOPE Squad didn’t stop there, though. She found herself a part of the organization until 2022. In those two years of service, she joined the HOPE Squad’s National Council, supported her friends with local mental health resources, and advocated for an in-school therapist on her community’s behalf.
HOPE Squad’s Lessons in Action
Bui notes that her work with the HOPE Squad wasn’t the only force behind her exploration of modern mental health. Bui specifically highlights an experience with a lonely friend who, at the time, was undergoing significant challenges in their personal life.
In her essay, Bui elaborates on the steps she took to relieve that friend’s loneliness. Bui’s essay emphasizes the ways she internalized the HOPE Squad’s lessons. It’s clear that, even on her own, Bui continues to serve as a mental health advocate for her friends and community.
Bui’s Academic Pursuits
Bui stood out from the crowd in large part due to her compassionate essay, but she’s signed academically, too. She is currently part of the Honors College at Arizona State University. She currently majors in Management as part of the W.P. Carey School of Business.
While she originally considered pursuing law, her previous experience in leadership positions drew her to business. She hopes to work for a company like Grammarly after graduation, as she wants to continue helping in-need communities communicate more effectively. She’s also expressed an interest in pursuing a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.
A Suite of Passion Projects
Bui’s passions don’t stop at academics and mental health. She reports a suite of passion projects that she takes on in her free time. She recently volunteered for Southern Nevada’s Make-a-Wish program.
Upon the start of the 2023/2024 academic year, she resumed a position as the Director of Marketing for Business Ambassadors at Arizona State University’s west campus. She also holds a position as an Administrative Assistant with Arizona State University’s Business Planners at West.
What’s more, she mentors the Honor’s College’s first-year students to ease the transition from high school to college. In the face of all of this responsibility, Bui reports that “[i]t makes me happy knowing that I’m someone that someone can reach out to whenever they need help.”
Learn More About the Thumbs Up Guys Scholarship
MDSW makes its Thumbs Up Guy Scholarship available to two students every academic year. Incoming and current students attending a United States college, university, and/or graduate school can apply. MDSW requires applicants to submit the following materials to qualify for consideration:
- Transcripts with GPAs of 3.0 or higher
- Proof of acceptance or attendance at an accredited institution
- An essay detailing their compassionate advocacy within their community
Scholarship winners receive $2,500 in academic support. Anyone interested in applying for MDSW’s upcoming scholarship opportunities can visit the scholarship’s terms and conditions page to learn more about the process.
MDSW Celebrates Bui’s Dedication to Mental Health
Once again, MDSW congratulates Jessica Bui on her concentrated effort to increase mental health awareness in Arizona and beyond. The team was endlessly impressed by her dedication to a healthier future. We look forward to hearing more about her achievements as she finishes her undergraduate degree and enters the workforce.
Current and incoming college students who want to apply for financial support can explore MDSW’s array of 2024/2025 scholarship opportunities today.
