I advocate for suicide prevention in my field placement at the Ann Arbor VA psychiatric inpatient unit and as a research assistant with the Suicide Prevention, Treatment, & Research (STAR) Lab. The School of Social Work has given me so many opportunities to connect with people in their darkest moments and help remind them of their inner light. I defend the rights of those experiencing serious mental illness & transform their ability to participate in community/build lives of meaning, dignity, and value.