As the prevalence of mental health issues increases and affects an ever larger number of our friends and family, it becomes essential that we create spaces for folks to talk about how they overcame or persisted despite mental health challenges. Here, we’ve tried to create a safe space for people to come together and discuss their stories, experiences, triumphs and failures with managing their mental health issues.
Lupe Hernandez
I became diagnosed with anxiety by a doctor when I was in middle school or high school. I can’t remember which. It was on my chart, and I didn’t realize I may have had a problem till after a bad breakup. I suffer from anxiety/ depression and am bipolar. Bipolar illness runs in my family. My oldest sister and mother have it. My sister and I are very open about our mental health. I take my medication every day and attend therapy. There are days all I want to do is stay in bed. There are days I can be having a panic attack and I have to use coping mechanisms to calm myself down. I tend to not surround myself with people that think mental health problems are all in your head. I’ve gone to group therapy, and it really helped to hear other people’s stories. Read more>>
Bernie Naranjo
As an associate clinician and a second-year doctoral student in the field of mental health, I have acquired valuable insights into the diverse aspects of mental health and its implications. Although life, academia, and professional responsibilities can be sources of significant stress, it is essential to navigate these stressors with an understanding of one’s capabilities and the distinction between achievable goals and unrealistic expectations. Throughout my involvement in various projects, I have frequently been the youngest participant, which has at times benefitted my perspective while also raising questions regarding my credibility. Read more>>
Aaron I. Sanchez
Being a dual-diagnosis individual since I was 12 years old has pushed me to find balance within all that I do. From therapy, psychology and psychiatry appointments to institutions and rehabs, the avalanche continued to plummet throughout the next 15 years. Finding the rooms of AA/CA and being able to fully understand that a Divine presence could and would give me strength to start anew was a colossal shift in life. Read more>>
Adina Nazarbay
Living with trauma and depression was something I had to figure out. Some days were better, others were much worse. Sometimes, as I fell asleep, I wished I could wake up as someone else, in a different body.
During COVID, I realized something needed to change. My major at the time, Environmental Science, left me feeling unfulfilled. My life felt meaningless, and the depression completely consumed me. The only thing that brought me any relief was creating art. Drawing and painting allowed me to pour my sadness and frustration into something meaningful, helping me see things more clearly. Art became a way to express my feelings comfortably, and that’s when I decided to pursue it as a career. Read more>>
