Breaking the Stigma

Growing up, I was surrounded by people who suffered from mental/emotional health and I quickly realized that not does it only affect them but others around them as well. At the age of 10, I found someone I love unresponsive with pill bottles surrounding them. I found them, I had to call for help, I watched their lifeless body get hauled away. At the age of 16, a friend hinted to me that morning that they were going to commit suicide, a few hours later I was called by one of their family members yelling “WHY DIDN’T YOU SAY ANYTHING?” I took that guilt, I blamed myself. I was devasted. When I say I haven't felt pain more than the pain I felt in these two situations I hope you believe me. I really thank God that they are both alive and well right now. At the age of 18 and 20, I myself tried to commit suicide. I don't know how to describe how I felt in those moments, but I can say that I was hopeless and faithless. Suicide is never the answer. Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) ' "For I know the plans I have for you", says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and hope." ' No matter what you're going through, as long as you are living there is hope and things WILL get better.

To take better care of each other, we need to break the stigma of mental and emotional health conditions. Many of you know I was majoring in Nursing and minoring in Psychology. I recently made a change to fully focusing on/majoring in Psychology. I will always and forever believe that changing my major was the best thing I could’ve ever done. Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing was a specialty I didn’t really think I would care to dive into, but this has really become something I am very passionate about and I believe is my calling. Having the opportunity to be better informed and to have more knowledge gives me some peace, knowing that I’ll be apart of the positive change gives me peace. I can’t wait for the opportunity to raise awareness on a global platform. I pray every day for the day that we treat mental/emotional health and physical health in the same way. I'm taking it one step at a time, starting with a conversation.

The year 2019 really destroyed me, never in a million years did I think the things I encountered would happen to me and I let all of that consume and define me. I recently took the necessary steps to better myself and I am seeking professional help. I am my fathers' daughter, so admitting I needed help and actually going to get it was a big accomplishment for me. I’ve started going to therapy and I would definitely recommend this to EVERYONE. I was one of the people that use to ask “Why am I paying someone to tell me what I already know?” and “What is me telling a stranger my problems going to solve?” I was raised to keep everything "in house" which later evolved to me keeping my problems to myself ass well. But there's just something about talking to a person who is gifted in listening and providing a different perspective while also encouraging you to strengthen your faith. No issue is too small to go seek help for. May God really bless all the people in this field. I understand that financially some may not be able to seek out this option, for my college students take advantage of the free counseling sessions. You will be surprised how much you can accomplish and realize in just one session. On top of this read the word. I can't stress this enough, ALL the answers to your problems are there. It is ok to not be ok. It is ok to need and ask for help. This is one chapter in the book of your life that will surely pass. Get help in any way that you can.

I love you guys.