I may be new to 1N5, but mental health is not new to me. I joined this rockstar of a nonprofit company because I’ve seen firsthand how cognitive health is impacting today’s teens, educators, and parents. I’ve witnessed far too many struggling students, hopeless humans, anxious parents, burnt-out educators, and, unfortunately, lives lost. We must do better.
For me, it started in 2017 when my husband and I welcomed our first child into the world. I expected sweet lullabies and baby snuggles, but I was not prepared for the profound impact on my brain and body. I recall feeling abnormal and unfit as a mother when seeing other new mothers appear to be thriving. We quickly recognized some postpartum anxiety and depression, and I knew I needed professional help. Eventually, by finding the right therapist and incorporating healthy habits, I slowly healed and returned to a positive place, allowing me to fully enjoy motherhood.
Lesson learned: Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
While motherhood was and will always be my greatest work, being a working mother presented its own challenges and quickly led to little to no time for self-care. I knew I had to prioritize this when we realized we’d be welcoming another baby in 2020 – yep, Covid quarantine included. Thanks to new habits such as physical fitness and setting some boundaries, I was able to have a much healthier postpartum experience that impacted the whole family in beautiful ways. Today, life and parenthood continue to add work, school functions, sports, and surprises to our schedules, so this area is an ongoing work in progress.
Lesson Learned: Self-care is a calendar item, not a luxury.
Anyone who knows me might tell you that I’m a bit of a nerd. If it didn’t cost so much, I believe my major would have been “lifelong college student”. Thus, I ventured into the world of education. I’ve been blessed to work with students for the past 15 years, where I lived and passed on Maya Angelou’s idea of know better, do better. I witnessed countless students who felt stuck in a class, unsupported by a loved one, or burnt out by a sport, believing there was no way through life’s unavoidable trials. But if we step back and see how far we’ve come, I think we’ll eventually see that we’ve grown wiser because of those very same trials. All we can do in those moments of despair or struggle is ask for help, educate ourselves and others about whatever it is, and then do better for ourselves. For them. For all.
Lesson learned: We are built for growth. Never stop learning and do better.
It’s a full circle moment to get to work with 1N5 and educate others on mental health and suicide prevention. I’m blessed to be a part of instilling hope, help, and strength in the world. Let’s change the narrative together.