My Journey

But it didn’t always look like this. I, too, have undergone my own difficult mental health journey. Just as I was about to start college my beloved grandmother passed away. On top of that I began to suffer from health-related issues that wouldn’t resolve until years later.

Being the first in my family to attend college, I became overwhelmed and found myself feeling hopeless, confused, depressed, and anxious. I became isolated from friends and family, unsure of what was wrong or how to fix it. I had no idea how to ask for help. 

I had the support of friends and family to aid in my healing. However, while well-intentioned, their support often proved misguided as mental health is not in our first-generation, Mexican-American cultural vocabulary. Overwhelmed, confused, and desperate for help, I stumbled into the wise advice of a college professor, who identified my depression.

This gave me much needed direction, motivating me to dive into self-help literature and to reach out to friends and family, this time armed with a little more guidance. I pushed myself to take a risk and be vulnerable with others--something unheard of in my family and culture. I learned that these difficult experiences contributed to my growth and my success. They were opportunities to build strength and resilience.

I also learned that emotional healing takes time and requires investing in yourself. Mental health education is important, and a willingness to ask for help and be vulnerable is crucial in order to see the change you want to achieve. Unfortunate circumstances can help us identify the parts of our life that need healing.

Help is out there. That’s where I come in; my passion is to help others in their healing journey.