A Note To Self
Mental Health Awareness Project Participant Gallery
James Velasquez
What mental health challenges do you experience?
As my therapist put it, I was “mind fucked” since my early childhood. From age five, I experienced sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. I was in survival mode most of my life. As I got older, raising my own family, the challenges didn’t get easier. Men generally aren’t the most emotionally intelligent. In my family growing up, we never talked about mental or emotional help. You were just supposed to be strong and carry on like nothings wrong. Finally, when my 19 year marriage collapsed, I had what would be best described as a complete mental and emotional breakdown. I didn’t recognize the man I was. It was a very dark time in my life. After a good friend reminded me over a two conversation to “stay in the fight”, I finally asked for help. I will forever be grateful for those who provided that help.
What helps with your mental health challenges?
What helps me most is realizing I’m not alone. Therapy is wonderful! Assuming your mental issues aren’t severe enough to merit help is a horrible mistake. Talking about my challenges and navigating stressful situations helps as well. Learning to be present, limiting my impulse reactions, and prioritizing my peace helps the most.
What are some things you would like to share about your mental health challenges?
There’s no situation you cannot grow from, learn from, and come out happy and healthy. It takes work.
Write a positive note to yourself, share anything you would like to tell yourself about your mental health challenges.
James, Today is a great day to be human. Show yourself the grace and love God has given you. You’re loved.
Phelisha Dimas
What mental health challenges do you experience?
I have struggled with depression and anxiety for about 12 years. What triggered it was severe postpartum depression but lead to so much more as time went on. At the time I was not educated on the mood disorder that can happen after having a child. I became aware when I started studying mental health with my degree. I have come a long way but do struggle still with anxiety and depression. The symptoms I have struggled with throughout this time period of the 12 years is: racing thoughts, lack of motivation, irritability, feelings of being alone, helplessness, depressed mood, panic attacks, low self-esteem, poor concentration, and suicidal ideations. Some of the stated symptoms have been on and off and some only a few times, however any severe mental health symptoms are a battle to overcome when one is not aware, not educated on the issue, no support, or embarrassed to share because of the stigma. The biggest challenge was within myself and overcoming my fear to share my mental health issues. Without overcoming that fear I might not be here today.
What helps with your mental health challenges?
The things that help with my mental health challenges are working out, guided meditations, calming music, daily vitamins, enough sleep at night, time alone, being present with my children, being outside/walks, therapy, and journaling.
What are some things you would like to share about your mental health challenges?
My journey has been an uphill battle as anyone that faces mental health issues will understand. Being a mental health clinician had me thinking that I knew it all and I was able to do it alone because I have the understanding and background. I feel like I am harder on myself because I have that knowledge, but regardless of my education I had to remind myself that I was human, and my behaviors were reactions of my past. As you get older you get a better understanding of life and what is important. What’s helped me is my maturity to understand why I did the things I did and move forward by learning how to forgive myself as well as others. Although the struggles of my mental health issues were/are difficult it has made me who I am today and today I am stronger than yesterday.
Write a positive note to yourself, share anything you would like to tell yourself about your mental health challenges.
You have come so far Phelisha, and I want to thank you for being so strong. I see you fighting everyday. I see that smile everyday. I see you showing up everyday. Putting yourself first has brought you so far, and filling your own cup has done you wonders !!! Keep putting in the work into yourself it will always be worth it, because at the end of the day you’re the only person you can count on. But the most important reminder is you have two beautiful girls that count on you as well, so you can never give up on being the best you. The best you is the best for them, the happy you is the best for them. Keep up the good work. YOUR WORTH IT. LOVE ME. ALWAYS.