I chose who I am today.
Unsinkable Storytelling Author: Jazmin Alba
My name is Jazmin Alba, I am the woman behind @advocating.mentalhealth I am 20 years old, turning 21 in June.
Since I was 14, I have been very heavy on mental health advocacy. I’ve struggled with my own illnesses. I was diagnosed with manic depression & severe GAD a few years back (I been on medication till this day & personally, they do help me!) Till this day, my depression got better, but my anxiety continues to sneak up every now & then. I try my best not to let it though.I’ve learned to cope. I’ve learned to heal. I’ve learned to accept. A lot has changed through out my years with anxiety & my number one change has definitely been mindset. Mindset is everything. Mindset will take you where you need to be. I have a tattoo that reads “No rain, no flowers” because well, it’s pretty self explanatory, without rain, the flowers won’t grow. & Metaphorically speaking, without pain, we don’t grow from it. We don’t learn. We don’t change.
If I learned something, it’s that pain is inevitable & suffering is optional. I CHOSE not to suffer anymore. I CHOSE happiness. I CHOSE positivity. I CHOSE who I am today. I am not afraid of my mental illness & you shouldn’t be either! Pain is apart of the process. When I was younger, I gained some bullies, some weight, some mania & anxiety. But I also gained many other things. I gained courage, self love & an opportunity to help others. I’ve gained mental freedom.
Don’t waste your pain. Simply use it to your advantage. Pain is not here to scare you! Pain is not here to stop you! Pain is here to PREPARE YOU! To DEVELOP YOU. You can either come out feeling defeated or you can come wanting a new desire to keep pushing. I’m so grateful that I was given such a huge platform that I can amplify my voice on. I always get asked “how can I be a mental health advocate” & my answer to that question would be to maintain your focus on shifting the world one day, one post at time.
Mental health advocates have one goal & one purpose & that is to take risks & show our vulnerability by telling our truth in hopes of encouraging someone else. Being an advocate means we stand up for those who do not have a voice & are afraid of standing up. I would say just support people when they need it or DM you for example. I know we can’t always answer on time or even at all but if you can just be a listening ear, that’s all that really matters. Correct those who use stigmatizing language.
We can change how the world views mental health simply by continuing to be apart of the mental health movement/community by speaking out, sharing our stories & showing others that they are not alone. Our societal perception of mental health, including mental illness, will not change if we do not take action to change it ourselves.