Me & My Mental Health Series: Episode 2.

It’s been two months since I shared the first episode of the Mental Health Series(work choke😤).
Now that we are finally in the mental health month (woohoo🥳), the three remaining episodes would be shared and a lot more content in the coming months, brace up to read from meeee💃

Mental health problems don’t define who you are. They are something you experience.
You walk in the rain and you feel the rain, but you are not the rain.

Matt Haig

In Episode 1 of our mental health series, we interviewed a lady who is managing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), If you missed it, you can catch up here.

The Mental Health Conversations

Today, we are interviewing a lady who is living with a mental health condition, and also to find out how she’s winging her way through life:

(Key: GwG = Gleaning with Grace; A = Guest)

GwG: How are you doing today?
A: I am doing okay, thank you.

GwG: Can we meet you? if that’s okay by you.
A: My name is Uche

GwG: Hi Uche, so what mental health condition are you managing at the moment?
A: Well, I am managing Bipolar disorder

Mental health challenge – the journey

GwG: Wow! When were you diagnosed of this?
A: I was diagnosed with it in 2017

GwG: How has the journey been like for you?
A: To be honest, I sometimes usually feel hindered in someway because the illness affected my willingness to do life at its peak. I had doubts about myself and compared myself with others.

GwG: Oh my! This must be a lot for you especially when you think there’s more to you than what this health challenge is bringing. whew!
If there was anything you could have changed about your condition what would that be? And why?
A: Well, I wished it never happened to me because I would have been better than I am now.

GwG: I am so sorry!
But, did you have caregiver(s) at any point? If yes, what role did they play in your recovery?
A: Thank you.
Yes, I had care givers in my siblings & parents as well. They are very supportive and are doing the best they can to help me.

The struggle

GwG: It’s good to hear that you have these ones to take care of you.
What challenges are you facing with regards this mental health condition?
A: Low self-esteem

GwG: Hmmn! How are you dealing with this?
A: I listen to a lot of podcast that reminds me to think better of myself, and I do a lot of introspection.

GwG: That’s amazing!
What word(s) do you have for people who are struggling with mental health issues?
A: Do whatever you can to get your life again

Powerful words, Uche. I hope this journey is a lot easier for you, and I pray that you’re equipped with grit to keep pulling through with grace.

Thank you so much for sharing a bit of your story with us, and at the same time amplifying the message of mental health.

What next?

What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.

Glenn Close

This week, Dr. Chinonso Egemba, a.k.a. Aproko Doctor, interviewed M.I Abaga and his wife Eniola about their journey with ADHD. It is one of those conversations you should listen to because it brings you in on people’s struggles, and how you can better relate with them.

It was very wholesome. I read some people’s comment saying they felt seen, and how they could relate with everything that M.I and his wife shared.

One of my mantras when relating with people is to offer grace to them and not assume everyone is okay, when in real sense, they are not.

Mental health struggles isn’t child’s play. From how it can completely change the behavior of those affected, to how it makes them feel some type of way about themselves. I’m really grateful to everyone who has shared their stories here, as it gives us insight into what some people go through and how we can be a little more empathic.

Your mental health is everything – prioritize it. Make the time like your life depends on it, because it does.

Mel Robbins

There are two more episodes to go in the Mental Health Series. Please subscribe to get notifications when they drop.

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