🕒 Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes Article Summary: What happens when you’re the first in your family or culture to name trauma , seek therapy, or talk about mental health out loud? This post explores the: emotional labor isolation resilience of being a cycle-breaker, especially for those living with mental illness In honor of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month , we also look at how cultural stigma adds weight to the healing journey, and how healing anyway is a radical act. I didn’t realize I was “going first.” I just knew I couldn’t keep going like this. When I first started confronting my mental health struggles, I felt like I was betraying something sacred. My family never talked about emotions, at least, not the hard ones. We swallowed grief and masked pain with strength. Therapy was something “other people” did. I didn’t have the words for what I was carrying, but I knew I couldn’t keep carrying it silently. At first, I felt proud. I was choosing healing, choosing ...
This is a welcoming space where we can talk about mental health! As someone who has navigated the challenges of depression and anxiety for much of my adult life, I understand how isolating it can feel. Here, I’m excited to share my journey of healing and the coping strategies that have helped me along the way. My hope is that by opening up about my experiences, you’ll feel inspired to share your own story and talk about your mental health too.