““I thank FAITH for their kindness and generosity and for giving this opportunity to many students like me to purse their dreams and aspirations.” - Elefteria Qatipi, 2019 FAITH Scholar
With August being National Wellness Month, we are highlighting FAITH Scholars who are contributing to the field of mental health and wellness.
From studying neuroscience to understand what factors can affect behavior, memory and cognition to advocating for and raising support and resources to promote stress management and healthy routines on campus, these FAITH Scholars are working towards a society that reduces the stigma surrounding mental illness and recognizes the importance of mental and emotional health in total wellness and healthcare.
Sophia Delis; 2020 FAITH Scholar
Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley
As an associate for the Mental Health Commission at Berkeley, Sophia enacts policies, provides resources, and addresses intersectionalities of mental health on campus. She works in the lab at the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute studying effective treatments for cognitive deficits. She is the editor of the Undergraduate Journal of Psychology, serves as vice president of outreach for the neurotech club and provides professional development, mentorship and skill-based health curriculum to high school students as a Peer Health Exchange teacher. She volunteers with Special Olympics and during the summer, travels to Katerini, Greece to assist refugees with medical exams through Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). She is pursuing a minor in Public Policy.
Athanasios Michalakis; 2019 FAITH Scholar
Psychology, Loyola University Chicago
Athanasios is passionate about improving campus mental health and wellness by advocating for his peers to engage in their communities and support networks. He works with residence life to provide resources for students transitioning into dorm living, he promotes cultural connection to the arts as a Film and Arts Committee member for his city's Department of Programming and coordinates large-scale efforts to donate food and other necessary supplies to local organizations as Philanthropy Chair for the Hellenic Student Association. With an additional minor in Sociolegal Studies and Bioethics, he aspires to use his studies of human interaction combined with neurological and bodily responses to effectively advocate for change and mental health support.
Elefteria Qatipi; 2019 FAITH Scholar
Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Maryland
As a Registered Behavior Technician at the Language and Behavior Center, Elefteria provides one-on-one care with clients. Prior, she collaborated on a research project studying the effects that isolation has on social play and non-play behaviors. She is a peer mentor, ambassador for her university’s neuroscience program, the community service outreach chair for the Biology Professional Society and is active in the Greek Heritage Society. She aspires to obtain a Master’s in Clinical Neuroscience with a focus on behavioral pharmacology. She hopes her career path will reduce the stigma of mental health in younger generations and support them through their journey of mental health and wellness.
Anna Smith; 2019 FAITH Scholar
Nursing, Loyola University Chicago
Anna completed one of her clinical rotations in the Mental Health Inpatient Psychiatric Unit at Northwestern Memorial Hospital where she led group therapy sessions.This opportunity made her deeply passionate about this specialty, and she is now working towards becoming a psychiatric mental health nurse. Back on campus, she is the outreach organizer for the Tutoring Training and Professional Development Committee and serves as the cultural director of the Hellenic Student Association. Along with completing her clinical rotations, she works with and rehabilitates stroke survivors and was a translator and patient educator for immunization clinics.
“Students struggle to seek help when they are in need of support, so our goal is to create an environment where we de-stigmatize that notion.” - Sophia Delis, 2020 FAITH Scholar