From Classroom to Real Life … Thanks for Supporting Me in Team-Up for NARSAD!

Posted: December 8, 2010

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Being a recent graduate of a bachelor’s degree program in Psychology, it has become my passion to help those that I dedicated long hours of study and thought to during my college days. I still remember sitting in Psychiatric Disorders class when my interest in this field immediately sparked. I am drawn to understanding cognitive science and what happens when things go wrong, to cause mental illness. That’s why I work at NARSAD as a Grants and Accounting Assistant – and why I formed my own team in ‘Team-Up for NARSAD’ to raise money to support brain and behavior research scientists.

Learning about the symptoms of mental illness in class and from a textbook is one thing … working to understand them and to develop treatments, preventative measures and cures is an entirely different ball park! That’s what NARSAD Investigators do, whether they receive a Young, Independent or Distinguished Investigator Grant to fund their work. We only have one life – “live your best life” says Oprah – and each and every NARSAD Investigator inspires me to do that with their example. They study and dedicate each day of their lives so that the millions of people with mental illness will have a chance to live their lives to the fullest.

I want to take the time to thank everyone that participated in Team-Up for NARSAD and a special thanks to those who joined and donated to my team, “Granting Cures.”  You have also inspired me and I am grateful to have such wonderful family and friends to support me in a cause that I care so deeply about.  To alleviate the suffering of mental illness is what we raised money for together, and while there is a long way to go, with your help we helped take a few more strides.  I just received my ‘Team -Up’ t-shirt which will constantly remind me of our contributions to this important cause, my Team, and our success.  Thank you for your help in making this experience a meaningful one!

by Sho Tin Chen, NARSAD Grants and Accounting Assistant