Living on her own since age 18, Diamani Waugh juggled work, academics, and the weight of a childhood marked by instability, abuse, and periods of homelessness.
“I always felt like I knew something wasn’t right,” said Waugh, who suffered panic attacks, struggled academically, and continually felt unsafe. “I just didn’t have the words for it.”
It wasn’t until she began therapy in college at Rutgers–Camden that she was diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety. That breakthrough changed her trajectory. Encouraged by a mentor, she enrolled in a new introductory class on psychiatric rehabilitation offered by Rutgers School of Health Professions.
The course not only reshaped her career goals but also helped her envision a new way of making a difference. She is now among the first students enrolled in the new psychiatric rehabilitation certificate offered by SHP at Rutgers–Camden.
“I thought I wanted to go into psych nursing. But once I learned about the healing process and how it really focuses on working with a whole team of doctors, counselors, and social workers, it changed my perspective. I wanted to have a deeper relationship with patients.”
—Diamani Waugh, Class of 2027Now a junior majoring in health sciences and psychology, she plans to pursue medical school to become a psychiatrist—one who works in a community-based rehabilitation setting. She’ll begin the certificate program this fall, gaining clinical experience and a deeper understanding of the recovery process.
“For a long time, I felt so lost and so alone. And when I finally found the thing that worked for me, it was literally life-changing,” she said “I feel so much more accomplished and like I can handle so much more. And now I want to provide that kind of help to others.”
