My name is Orlando Kearney. I’m an undergraduate student at Old Dominion University pursuing a human services degree. I intend to use my degree to start my career in the mental health field. I have been very passionate about mental health work from a young age and it inspired me to pursue a career as an advocate for mental health. I first became interested in mental health while volunteering at a local community service board in high school. I had the opportunity to provide peer counseling to young teens in the city I grew up in and I became very invested in the work. I established relationships with the supervisors at the site I volunteered at over the years and they encouraged me to pursue a career in advocacy work which lead me to be where I am today. I’m looking forward to starting my career so that I can make a difference in my community and fulfill my duty as an advocate for mental health.