Good afternoon everybody, my name is Bich Ngoc.

I am a freshman in Logistics and

Supply chain management. It’s my honor to be standing here to tell you how important
mental health means to your life and how I overcame the darkest time of my life. Let’s
get started!
To the best of my knowledge, stress is a common feature of modern life for people of all
ages, but it can be more common among younger adults. Every young adult is different,
but there are some common sources of stress that tend to have a greater impact on this
age group.

The topic of mental health and wellbeing has grown in popularity, and for good reason:
they characterize the condition of our minds. As a consequence, you've probably seen or
heard terms like self-care and resilience in the media. These are not passing trends, but
they are part of an essential discussion about how to care for yourself so that you can
appreciate life despite its daily stresses. With the aim of letting people understand how
vital a positive mindset can be to their lives, I chose the topic of mental health and
wellbeing.

When we talk about mental health and wellness, we refer to emotional, psychological,
and social well-being. These all have an impact on how we think, how we feel, and how
we behave, and contribute to what is described as our 'mental wellbeing'.

A person's ability to be productive in their activities, to have fulfilling relationships with

others, and to handle and overcome adversity all depend on having good mental health.

Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence to
adulthood. Throughout a lifetime, an individual can experience mental health issues at
any point. This affects not only their mood and behavior but also changes their way of
thinking, of looking at life, and of facing challenges. For examples, a child who is born
into and raised in a violent or conflictual household is more likely to develop irritable
moods, mental illnesses, negative social outcomes, and deficits over time.

There are some important causes of mental health issues. These variables include life
events like stress or abuse, biological variables like genes or brain chemistry, and even a
person's family background of mental health issues can have an impact. Stressful work
environments, quick societal change, gender prejudice, social exclusion, physical
sickness, and violations of human rights are all associated with poor mental health.

So the concept of having good mental health, or being mentally healthy, is more than just
the absence of illness; rather, it’s a state of overall wellbeing.

And how can we take care of our mental health? There are some tips that everyone can
follow.
 1. Get enough sleep and rest to lower your risk for serious health problems, reduce
stress, and improve your mood.
2. Take time out for things you enjoy: Spending time to give yourself a refreshment
can make a difference in how you think and feel.
3. Be active and eat well. Exercise and a healthy diet can help us feel better because
our physical and mental health are intertwined.
4. Be comfortable in your own skin. Everyone is unique and should be celebrated.
Knowing who you are and what makes you happy is key to maintaining your
mental health.
5. Reach out for help when you need it. People have a long-held belief that those
who ask for assistance are weak and defenseless. But for real, they have learned to
put their egos aside, and to my knowledge, they are the bravest people ever.

I have a story of my own that I want to share with you guys. I was turned down by my
favorite university when I was 18 years old. That was shocking news to me, because I
was used to being a girl who was praised for her academic success. Failure felt like a
swift slap in the face. I struggled and frequently asked myself “Why is your grade so
bad?” “Why don’t you try harder?” And I must admit, I was frightened. Any inquiries
about the outcome at my institution were declined by me. I struggled with my grief for
about a month, doing everything I could to stay away from other people.

I asked myself several questions during that one month of soul-searching, such as "Is
going to that college the only way I can succeed?" “Is attending that university my only
option for happiness?” And it is clear that "No" is the response. I rose up and began my
new journey as a result. And now that I'm here, I'm still discovering and stepping outside
of my comfort zone. This is how I also discovered contentment. My GPA for the
previous semester was 3.92, which to me is not a feat but rather a reward for having the
courage to continue on my path. I want to express my sincere gratitude to my family and
friends for being there for me during this difficult time in my life.
That’s the end of my speech, thank you for paying attention.