What a decade of mental health advocacy taught me
Nothing changes, if nothing changes.
Speaking at the 2024 Slashie Summit on the panel entitled, “The Art of Activism: How to Make your Voice Matter in Today’s World”
There is NOTHING more EMPOWERING than speaking your TRUTH.
Hiding who you are and holding shame in your heart, only produces one thing - self hate.
Hearing your own voice speak words of inspiration and motivation breeds confidence.
You can only build yourself, when you believe in yourself, your being and every fabrication in the way that God made you.
Even when advocacy is sparked from injustice and bias, it is passion, necessity and survival that truly make an advocate.
Support becomes a luxury on a journey of advocacy. There will always be nay sayers. It is vigor, commitment and dedication that truly make you thrive.
Not everyone will applaud or appreciate your authenticity. That is okay. People pleasing is just another form of self doubt.
Tenacity, strength and courage are characteristics that ONLY you can gift yourself.
Any battle requires armor. The battle to be heard and to be seen, can only be fought with an armor of self belief.
Days of self doubt and defeat are inevitable. On those days, look back at your journey. Listen to your own words and find the hope within.
Advocacy doesn’t have to be loud. It doesn’t have to make noise. Advocacy is not measured by followers or likes. Advocacy is your own belief and passion fueled by a need for change. Change comes in all forms. It is not always TED talks and viral videos. Change are the conversations and messages that say, “I’ve been through this. Thanks for telling me I’m not alone.” These are the conversations that slowly break through stigma. Ending the stigma is the change.