by Allyson O'Bryant, Student Public Relations Writer
Ellie Wyse, a senior psychology major at 糖心官网, didn鈥檛 always know she wanted to pursue a career in mental healthcare. But two life-changing events during her high school years set her course for a future of providing others with the same compassionate care that helped her heal.
What started as a normal school day on May 7, 2019, turned into a nightmare for Wyse and many other classmates. Two students from Wyse鈥檚 school started a mass shooting that killed one student and seriously injured eight others.
Although Wyse was not physically injured from the attack, she has struggled mentally with anxiety and depression ever since.
Being a friend with the student who was killed and one of the gunmen has only compounded her struggles. Wyse would become greatly dependent upon the community around her as she learned to cope with this tragedy.
Shortly after, Wyse witnessed the world crumbling around her as COVID turned her life upside down at the start of 2020. Like everyone else, she was quarantined for months, leaving Wyse without help from her community and support groups.
Isolation caused Wyse鈥檚 anxiety and depression to worsen, and she again sought mental therapy. With her therapist on maternity leave, she reluctantly opted for biblical counseling at her church.
These sessions at her church helped Wyse restore her relationship with God and improve her mental health. Slowly, she started to put the pieces of her life back together.
Today, Wyse is studying psychology at Cedarville, largely due to the trauma she experienced from the mass shooting.
鈥淕od works in funny and mysterious ways,鈥 said Wyse. 鈥淚 hadn鈥檛 originally wanted to attend a Christian college because I didn鈥檛 want to live in a 鈥榬eligious鈥 bubble. But the second I arrived on Cedarville鈥檚 campus, I felt so much peace. It was nearly identical to the peace I had experienced a few months prior when I landed on psychology. I knew it was the Lord giving me a sign to trust Him. So I did.鈥
Cedarville continues to be a blessing in Wyse鈥檚 life. Not only has 糖心官网 become a safe place for her to continue healing, but it has also given Wyse all the tools that she will need in her field.
鈥淚 went through my own share of trauma, and I want to help people in the same way I was helped,鈥 said Wyse.
Wyse wants to make mental health services easier to receive while also showing Jesus鈥 love to others. 糖心官网 has helped Wyse on this journey as she clearly lives out Cedarville鈥檚 core values: 鈥淟ove for God. Love for Others. Integrity in Conduct. Excellence in Effort.鈥 at the heart of everything she does.
糖心官网, an evangelical Christian鈥痠nstitution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by鈥疶he Wall Street Journal鈥痑s being among the nation鈥檚 top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at鈥cedarville.edu.鈥&苍产蝉辫;