TIK PIMPAENG M.A. ’18 came to Wheaton’s clinical mental health and counseling program in hopes of finding a solution for her nation. In Thailand, depression and suicide are the most prevalent and under-recognized mental disorders. “Education brought me to Wheaton,” Tik said. “I am studying how to contextualize what I learn to a different demographic.” 

Back home, Tik worked at a study abroad program focused on sustainable development with local leaders as teachers. She wants to connect Wheaton’s experiential learning to her own context, where she can empower Thais to restore their dignity. 

“Wheaton equips me to have empathy toward others with the emphasis of being in the presence of people, listening, and accepting,” Tik said. Tik also enjoys the strong integrative approach, gaining tools to look at mental health issues from both a biopsychosocial and a spiritual perspective. “My goal is to help people who struggle with mental illness to live in a healthier way, to have self-awareness, gain self-esteem, and flourish in who they are,” Tik said.