Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Perennial Purple Heart, Anonymous

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Let’s talk about Veterans’ sacrifices. I must admit that I didn’t know much myself about veterans until one of my siblings entered the Navy. I’m very proud of his service, sacrifice, and dedication to protecting the United States. It’s probably not a common thought to all of us, but I think often of what it is like to be away during wartime serving our country. Military folks sacrifice a ton – whether it be lower pay, moving around a lot, being away from family for a long time, going into risky military operations, etc. These men and women sacrifice comparatively …

We'll See You Tomorrow, Devin N. Garnick

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On July 14th, 2015, Hannah climbed to the top of Half Dome, a stunning rock formation that rises thousands of feet above the valley floor at Yosemite National Park. She had talked about wanting to climb to the top of this breathtaking cliff for years and frequently mentioned that she had to tackle this feat “before she died.” I was amazed and proud to see photos of her impressive accomplishment, and wondered what she might achieve next. On July 21st, 2015, Hannah committed suicide. [excerpt]

In Plain Sight, Anonymous

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I went through my childhood hearing these statements daily, for I lived with my abuser. While there was physical abuse, the scars from the verbal abuse are what still haunt me today. [excerpt]

Social Mania, Brianna Dipanni

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Ten.

That’s the total number of times I’ve checked Facebook and Instagram within the past hour alone. Ashamedly, it’s become a sort of compulsive habit. No matter what I’m doing, turning on my phone or laptop wouldn’t be complete without checking Tumblr, Facebook or Instagram. Within the past year or so, social media has become a big part of my life. It’s become part of my daily morning routine. Before the thought of getting out of bed to face the day even crosses my mind, I have to check social media and see what’s been going on in the world …

Fearless Friday: Sarah Van De Weert, Christina L. Bassler

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Sarah Van De Weert ’16 has been fearlessly striving to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health disorders. As the current president of Active Minds, Secretary of APO, and a member of the Honor Commission Sarah works toward a more inclusive campus community, especially for those suffering from mental illnesses. Sarah also conducts research for Dr. Berenson and works for a non-profit called Libero Network. Sarah’s participation in Active Minds on campus focuses on spreading awareness of mental illnesses and reducing the stigmas surrounding them, along with advocating for Gettysburg College to be a safe and open environment for discussions about …

Sincerely, The Quiet Girl, Brianna Dipanni

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When I was younger, I used to think there was something horribly wrong with me, as if I had this mortal flaw. Some nights I used to lie awake in bed and just stare at the flickering red numbers of my bedside clock, wondering to myself when things would change. How long would it take to overcome my quiet phase? When will I finally be normal? [excerpt]

Mirrors, Manipulation, And Me, Anonymous

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Yesterday I was sick to my stomach. Literally.

I tossed and turned all night, woke up and felt sick, and spent the first two hours of my day in bed trying to calm down while. I was worrying that I was a bad friend, student, and girlfriend. The hardest part was that I was criticizing myself for having these insecurities. It’s tough to get out of that cycle, but it’s what I need to do. [excerpt]