About Me
Welcome!! My name is Natalia Jonas-Thomas, and I am from Albany, New York. I am a current psychology major attending Hudson Valley Community College in the Honors program with a strong passion for breaking the negative stigma surrounding mental health in minorities, specifically for children in the black community.
𑣲 What are my biggest strengths and weaknesses?
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One of my strongest qualities is empathy. I care a lot about being in a supportive, cordial environment, so understanding people’s points of view and the emotions that stem from them allows me to give people space to grow and approach situations with patience and second chances. Although I am also learning to balance my perfectionism with time management. When it comes to submitting work, I value producing thoughtful, high-quality work while taking my time, so I work hard every day to learn how to pair those standards with better pacing and deadlines.
𑣲 What motivates the work I choose to do?
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My desire to work as a PMHNP stems from my coming from a black family that doesn’t believe in mental health. I, personally, have experienced people who suffer from mental disorders and have seen how negatively it can affect the person when not on medication or attending therapy. Not only that, but many people, specifically minorities, can’t properly afford to provide their child with therapy or medication.
𑣲 What are your long-term career goals?
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My overall end-goal in life is to pursue a career that allows me to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and their families. Currently, I’m very passionate about becoming a Pediatric Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), which is a perfect combination of my interests in psychology and working with children! I’ve seen firsthand how minorities treat mental health, and I want to work towards breaking the stigma while showing how treating mental disorders early is very beneficial.
𑣲 What do I do in my free time?
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When I'm not busy with school, I enjoy finding a various different type of ways to relax, stay active, and keep myself entertained. I love reading books, watching and rating movies, practicing yoga, and doing cardio! Of course, I also enjoy spending time with my friends, listening to music, and occasionally blogging. I'm always open to picking up a new hobby or finding something new to enjoy in my free time!