I am the face of mental health—a survivor of suicide and a testament to the resilience of minding your mental. Did you know that 59.3 million Americans suffer from mental health challenges? Mental health encompasses our psychological, emotional, and social well-being. It influences how we think, feel, and act, shaping our relationships, our ability to manage stress, and the decisions we make.
My journey took me to the darkest place I’ve ever known. Weighed down by years of mounting stress, grief, and hopelessness, my life is a story of rediscovering strength, purpose, and faith in the aftermath of despair. Through my experience, I’ve learned that while mental health challenges do not discriminate, they can forge connections among us. With time, healing, and courage, those challenges can become a source of strength—empowering us to help others on their own journeys. Through self-care, setting boundaries, staying connected, practicing mindfulness, seeking professional help, and cultivating gratitude, I’ve found the tools to effectively mind my mental and embrace a healthier, more balanced life.
A Cycle of Overwhelm
Two years ago, I was at the lowest point of my life. I had lost seven family members in a short time. Grief weighed heavily on me, compounded by relentless work-related stress, a failing marriage, and the sadness of being an empty nester. I had no balance. Peace felt completely out of reach. I tried to stay present, but I was consumed by an overwhelming heaviness that seemed impossible to escape.
Every day felt like a cycle of unending challenges, like being on a carnival ride I couldn’t stop. It reminded me of summers in my childhood. My cousins and I would visit a rural community center with a playground. While the tall metal slide and high swings made us feel invincible, the merry-go-round terrified me. The bigger kids would trap us on it, pushing us faster and faster until it felt like we’d be thrown off. We couldn’t get off and were left dizzy and scared.
Years later, my life felt just like that ride: spinning out of control. I was trapped in a cycle of anxiety and depression, unable to cope with the grief, stress, and loneliness. I wanted the pain to stop. In desperation, I tried to end it.
Surviving and Finding Strength
When I woke up in the hospital on life support, I felt a mixture of shame and guilt. I was alive, but just barely. My stay in a mental health facility during that time became a turning point. Initially, I was overwhelmed with self-blame, believing I had failed myself and everyone around me. In our society, mental health struggles are often met with silence and stigma, especially in the black community. But during those days, in that safe space, I found hope.
I discovered I wasn’t alone. Conversations with other patients, support from nurses and therapists, and my own growing faith helped me see a path forward. I reconnected with my faith and started sharing my story instead of hiding it. When I opened up to friends and community members, I realized many of them were also struggling with depression, anxiety, grief, or burnout. Most felt unsafe discussing it, but as I shared my journey, they felt empowered to share theirs too.
Finding Purpose in Pain
For two years, I asked God why I had to endure such immense pain and loss. My healing process was messy and nonlinear, filled with ups and downs that tested my resolve. Then, while traveling to give a speech, I finally heard the answer in my heart: I knew that I could use you to help someone else.
Those words brought me peace. I understood then that my pain wasn’t in vain—it had a purpose. Today, I’m committed to being the face of mental health, using my experiences to break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Many people, just like me, feel isolated and overwhelmed. By sharing my story, I hope to show them they’re not alone and that healing is possible.
Breaking Down the Stigma
Mental health is neither a sign of weakness nor failure—it’s as real and vital as physical health. Yet, it’s often overlooked. Growing up young and black in the South, mental health was rarely, if ever, discussed—not at home, not in school, and certainly not in the church, one of the most influential spaces in the black community. Emotions felt like a luxury no one could afford, and people avoided vulnerability for fear of judgment.
This silence around mental health creates isolation. Breaking it is essential to fostering a culture of support where people feel safe discussing their challenges without fear of scrutiny. In our communities, workplaces, and families, we must create environments of acceptance. Mental health challenges affect people of all ages, backgrounds, and lifestyles. Recognizing this truth makes it easier for individuals to reach out for help when they need it.
Moving Forward Together
Mental health awareness isn’t just about understanding—it’s about action. It means supporting mental health services, advocating for education, and making resources accessible. By normalizing conversations about mental health, we can create a community where people feel seen, supported, and understood.
Being a survivor has taught me that healing is possible, but it requires courage and support. Facing your pain isn’t easy, but it’s a journey worth taking. My hope is that my story inspires others to keep going, to seek help, and to realize they don’t have to face their struggles alone. We’re all connected, and by standing together, we can build a world that truly values mental health.
Building a Culture of Healing
As we move forward, let’s challenge misconceptions about mental health and recognize it as an essential part of overall well-being. Let’s be voices for those struggling in silence and let them know they’re not alone. I am the face of mental health—and you can be too. Together, we can create a world where support is readily available, where no one feels ashamed of their struggles, and where mental health is valued just as much as physical health.
Sharing my story has allowed me to connect with others on a deeper level. I’ve realized that growth often happens through vulnerability. My friends and I often discuss breakthroughs from therapy, deepening our understanding of one another. These shared moments of growth remind me that healing isn’t just individual—it’s collective.
By creating a culture that values mental health, we’re moving toward a more compassionate, understanding world. My hope is that my story encourages others to share theirs, to seek help, and to embrace the healing they deserve.
- Minding Your Mental – by Ikeko Bass - November 19, 2024
Thank you for this open view of your heart and mind. My friend committed suicide. One day I saw him talking and smiling Two days later he was gone. I was angry with him, sorrowful for his daughter and ashamed that I couldn’t help.
What is the best probing or opened ended questions I could ask to someone I suspected of wanting to harm themselves? Is there a training that I could attend to learn more?