Psychology Student Focuses on Mental Health Advocacy

By Luna Canham

Psychology Student Focuses on Mental Health Advocacy

Miyah Walker is the recipient of the 2025 Dean of Students Award for Outstanding Leadership. Photo by Luna Canham

Miyah Walker has had a passion for listening and offering a hand to hold since she was just 13.

Being a middle child among three sisters, Walker was often the person who would help and listen to her siblings, cousins and close friends when they needed someone to discuss their feelings or mental health challenges. Without even realizing it at the time, Walker was already heading down the path of psychological sciences.

Coming to Cal State San Marcos, Walker felt introverted and nervous to talk to others, but that did not stop her from pushing herself to step outside her comfort zone.

Walker has been inspiring her peers and helping create a safe space on campus through her work as a residential adviser, as a collection, delivery and access student assistant in Kellogg Library, and by educating and advocating for BIPOC mental health awareness at Student Health and Counseling Services as a HOPE peer health educator.

Walker's efforts led her to be selected as the recipient of the 2025 Dean of Students Award for Outstanding Leadership.

"I was just watching true crime and crocheting when Dean of Students Jason Schreiber called and told me that I won the award," Walker said. "I was shocked. After I talked to him during the candidacy process, I felt really good about our conversation. I was kind of just thinking, 'Wow, I just finished talking to the Dean of Students.' "

Walker first knew that she wanted to work in the psychological sciences at 13 after experiencing her best friend going through a challenging time. Walker was a constant advocate for her best friend by being there for meetings with social workers and comforting her when others were dismissing the friend's mental health struggles.

Walker was able to separate herself from the situation and truly just be there for her best friend.

The experience opened Walker's eyes to the need for mental health advocacy, specifically for BIPOC communities when she would hear people dismiss the mental health experiences young individuals were facing.

Walker reflected on the rhetoric used during her experience advocating for her best friend.

"People would say, 'You're too young to be depressed. You don't have anything to be depressed about. You don't have anything to be stressed about,' " Walker said. "There were a lot of things that were happening in her life and happening to her that people were dismissing, and that was taking a toll on her mental health as well. Just seeing how big of an effect it was having on her, I was shocked by the lack of support. It made me aware that people in communities of color do not care as much as they should."

Walker is from Los Angeles and a first-generation college student, so coming to San Marcos was a big transition. But being so active on campus helped Walker thrive, leading her to believe that you always end up where you need to be.

After graduating next month with her bachelor's in psychological science and a minor in Spanish, Walker has big plans for the future.

She plans to return to Los Angeles and work as a mental health counselor specializing in underserved communities and communities of color.

Her educational and career goals, however, do not end there. Walker plans to obtain her doctorate to work as a psychologist, along with continuing her advocacy and educational work for BIPOC communities, which is similar to her focus at CSUSM.

Walker's hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed.

"Miyah's commitment to excellence in leadership, scholarship and service is clear, both as an RA and as a HOPE peer educator," Stephanie Burga, a residential director, wrote in her nomination of Walker for the Dean of Students Award. "In all of her roles at CSUSM, she has challenged herself to think creatively and communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals. She has also played a significant role in developing programs and initiatives that advance the university's mission, and each of the programs she's hosted has contributed to enriching student life at CSUSM."

There's little doubt thatWalker's legacy at CSUSM will live on as she moves forward with her education and career goals of being a pillar for mental health awareness in the BIPOC communities.

Miyah Walker has been inspiring her peers and helping create a safe space on campus through her work in many areas, including as a residential adviser, a collection, delivery and access student assistant in Kellogg Library, and by educating and advocating for BIPOC mental health awareness at Student Health and Counseling Services as a HOPE peer health educator. Photo by Luna Canham

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