MENTAL HEALTH AND TRANSPARENCY

For years I learned how to tap into the magnificent power of mental health and allow it to propel me from shy to bold, from welfare to financial freedom, and from insignificant to influential. I’ve also seen it neglected and passed down from generation to generation. 

I thought that I’d learn how to master my mind and determine my outcomes and future. Then at age 41, I had the hardest year of my life. In fact, the past 3 years have been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to endure. I can’t speak to most of the things I’ve had to endure but let me tell you just a few; I went from my sister passing away, to climbing to the top of the corporate ladder, quitting my job the day of the pandemic, gaining guardianship of my two nephews, building one of the fastest-growing companies in the nation. That’s just a snapshot of my past couple of years. There’s much more that is too deep and impactful to discuss at this time. 

Then 2021 hit me like a ton of bricks. All the burdens I was carrying became too much for one person to endure, I saw myself drift into depression. I went from being able to overcome any obstacles in my way to not being able to get myself out of bed. I could not pick up the phone, drive a car, or make many leadership decisions without feeling like I was falling apart. The anxiety came, as well as the lethargy and weight gain. There were days that all I wanted to do was sleep. I wanted to lock myself in a dark room and not appear again for a week. 

I was fortunate enough to be able to work my way out of it. However, it wouldn’t have been as easy if I didn’t have the resources to work my way out. The experience I’ve gained from working my way out of every situation I’ve ever encountered, the knowledge towards a master’s degree in Counseling, and the financial freedom to be able to hire my best friends so that I could spend some time taking care of myself. I’ve learned the need for self-care, the need for community, and the need for transparency when we talk about mental health. 

I had never learned how to take care of myself, how to relax, or how to not always have to be strong for everyone else. I’ve had to learn these things just like I’ve had to learn everything else in my entire life. I’ve had to learn them the hard way, through experience. The hard way is not the most fun way or the most talked-about way, but I’ve learned that it’s the most enlightened way if you allow it to be. I’ve learned that all the experiences in my life have turned out for good. All the pain I’ve endured has been to give strength to others. All the challenges I’ve encountered have given me stories for others. Lastly, all the things I’ve learned have given me wisdom for others.

Mental health IS health. For those that know me, know that I don’t like talking about myself or drawing attention to myself. I share these things because we all need to know that we are not alone. If you can use my story to draw strength then the story must be told. We MUST start talking about mental health.