The Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship is funded by Dr. Terence O. Hayes Sr. in honor of his mother, Ethel Hayes, who struggled with mental health issues and ultimately took her own life. The scholarship aims to promote open dialogue about mental health challenges, particularly within the Black community, where such discussions have historically been suppressed. It is designed to support students who have faced mental health struggles personally or through family members, encouraging them to share their experiences through an essay that reflects on how these challenges have shaped their beliefs, relationships, and aspirations.