By Lyric Mention
Former Western Michigan University Seita Scholar Liz Burns, 24, has managed to deal with mental health issues and overcome the challenges of aging out of the foster care system to graduate in 2020. A 2018 study by Sean Hogan in the Journal of The First-Year Experience & Students in Transition found that foster youth students with greater mental health problems demonstrated significantly poorer academic performance during their first year at a four-year university. Now an alumna, Burns continues many of the habits she used to finish her studies and overcome the stigmas around foster youth.
-
- WMU Seita Scholar Liz Burns survives anxiety, depression, ADHD, and PTSD. Burns, 24, manages mental health problems. “I knew I had these problems and there were resources for people to help, but I didn’t know they were safe to help me,” Burns says.
-
- Burns spends time with her dog Phoebe after she returns home from work on Sept. 27. Burns, 24, purchased her dog Phoebe during COVID-19 quarantine. “I was lonely at home by myself when boyfriend was at work,” Burns says.
-
- Burns plays with her dog Phoebe outside of Cooper’s Landing Apartments. Burns, 24, tends to the needs of her dog Phoebe needing fresh air. “Because I had a dog that needed to go outside and for walks, it was like, ‘Well, I don’t want to go outside for myself, but I have to for her’,” Burns says.
-
- WMU Alumna Liz Burns refills antidepressant on the counter in her kitchen. Burns, 24, takes medicine in order to manage daily life. “Thankfully it works for me, at least for right now, it’s been a huge tool in my stress management,” Burns says.
-
- Burns writes her schedule for the upcoming week. She follows a weekly routine to stay grounded in day-to-day tasks. “Having a solid routine, something that I do every day really helps to minimize my stress,” Burns says.
-
- Burns listens to a favorite podcast episode called “Trauma, Resilience and Healing” in the parking lot of WMU’s Bernhard Center. Burns,24, explains listening to podcasts helps her stay focused and positive.
