I liked the experience and exposure that it gave me to the mental health field. I have read about disorders and treatment but none of that can compare to the genuine understanding that I gained through seeing these disorders affect the human beings around me. Most of all, I formed meaningful therapeutic relationships that made me feel as if I was contributing to their mental health journey and their treatment as a whole.
What I wish was different
The hospital itself is understaffed and often flawed, and these flaws most commonly a result of the disproportionate compensation for mental health in the US healthcare system.
Advice
I would say that a summer internship was something that provided me with invaluable knowledge and bolstered passion in the mental health field. If anyone is interesting in entering this field working in a clinical assistant or nursing assistant position during undergraduate years is something you should definitely consider.
