As Thanksgiving is right around the corner, it has been a time of reflection for me, as I’m sure it has been for many of you. We like to remember the things we are thankful for and things that we may have been taking for granted the rest of the year. I am thankful for my friends, my family, and my health. I am thankful to be going to the greatest school on the planet (GO DAWGS!). I am also thankful that mental health has been coming to light this year.

Mental health is an issue that has been long ignored in the press and political arenas. In the past years, there has been a lot of focus given on helping stress levels and promoting mental well-being. Though there hasn’t been a lot of focus on mental disorders, this is still a huge step forward towards advocating for mental health and to displace the stigmas about people suffering from mental disorders.

In the political arena, Hillary Clinton presented a comprehensive mental health plan dedicated to helping people with mental disorders. She called for better treatment options as well as money dedicated to the research of these disorders. This is a huge step forward as many politicians avoid the topic due to the controversy it causes. I hope to continue to see the advocation of mental health policy in the government.

Lastly, I would like to take a moment to thank you, my readers, who have let my voice be heard. Every week, I try to come up with an interesting topic to write about, but as we all know, science can be a little dry sometimes. Thank you for taking the time out of your week and reading my articles. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!