Zach's Presentation

Going through a college career can produce a large amount of stress. Cramming in time for homework, studying, a job, social life, and other relationships can have serious detrimental effects on one’s health and well being. If you are someone that is struggling with these issues, just know – you’re not alone. That is exactly what Zach Harbauer wants you to know. Zach is a psychology major here at Boise State that has seen the ways in which school negatively affects all of us. Zach is an advocate for the awareness of this mental epidemic and wants to end the negative stigma that is associated with feeling this certain way. Zach believes that by creating an atmosphere that allows a person to get help and not be ashamed of their perceived self, is the first step to take in order to end this plagued veil draped across campus.

---

About Zach

I am currently a sophomore at Boise State University majoring in Psychology and getting a minor in International Relations. For the majority of my teenage and adolescent years I was deeply involved with competitive debate and I was extremely successful, even competing at the collegiate level at Arizona State University. My original plan was to become an English teacher and coach high school debate but circumstances altered my course.

I have found a new passion in psychology, focusing on helping those struggling with mental illnesses. My new goal is to become a clinical therapist and work with teenagers and adolescents with mental health problems. This year I started my first step towards this goal by becoming involved in an on campus group called “Tender Thoughts,” a mental health advocacy and support group. The people I have met through this group have radically changed my life and has strengthened my resolve to someday be able to help people on a large scale.)

I spend most of my free time playing video games and binge watching a wide spectrum of shows, ranging from light hearted cartoons to some of the darker dramas. I also have a passion for writing and I hope to someday get a book published. I absolutely love writing research papers (I guess I’m a masochist) but I do write a lot of original poetry which I perform at some of the local poetry slams around the Boise area.

There is nothing I want more than the chance to help people as much as I can and I’m certain I am on the right path to do so.