You ARE Worthy!
Mental Health: You Matter!
You are not alone. You will survive. You will be happy.
You are loved. You are worth it. You are Valiant!
You are loved. You are worth it. You are Valiant!
Meet Kori Paul Swabey
My name is Kori Paul Swabey, I am 25 years old and I want to share the personal struggles I have faced in life and my experiences with mental health to raise awareness and hopefully spread light to those living similar lives who may feel alone, lost and afraid.
What awareness do you want to bring?
I want people like me to know that it does get better, life can be beautiful, even when it’s dark. We can’t see the beauty of the stars without the darkness of the night.
What tools or advice would you give someone else experiencing the same thing?
Honestly, the greatest tool we have is our voice. When we speak up, not only are we freeing our minds from some of the pain, but our voices will be heard for those who aren’t here to voice their pain. We remind one another that no matter who we are, what we have & what we don’t have, we all have our demons.
Growing up I played the role of the class clown, when in reality, I was hurting.
What awareness do you want to bring?
I want people like me to know that it does get better, life can be beautiful, even when it’s dark. We can’t see the beauty of the stars without the darkness of the night.
What tools or advice would you give someone else experiencing the same thing?
Honestly, the greatest tool we have is our voice. When we speak up, not only are we freeing our minds from some of the pain, but our voices will be heard for those who aren’t here to voice their pain. We remind one another that no matter who we are, what we have & what we don’t have, we all have our demons.
Growing up I played the role of the class clown, when in reality, I was hurting.
I hid how I felt for a long time, for years. I didn’t understand why I felt the way I did, why I felt different.
School was tough, I was an angry kid, angry at myself, angry at everyone around me & I didn’t know why. I loved to swim, but fully clothed, so nobody could look at me. At the time I couldn’t explain why, I just knew I hated my body, my skin, I didn’t want to be seen.
I would tell myself that I’d be happy when I’m older, when I can be free, open about my sexuality, accepting of myself.
I came out as gay at 18, but I still felt unhappy. I asked myself, what else could there be? What is hiding inside of me? I always knew, but denial was my best friend and I never thought I’d have to tell anybody, I prayed that I’d forget someday.
At around the age of 14, maybe earlier, I developed an eating disorder. I obsessed over my appearance, I would only ever wear baggy clothes, I would pull on any clothing that felt too tight, I would literally walk holding onto the fabric near my stomach area so that nobody could see the shape of my body.
At 18, I met my boyfriend and next month marks our 7th year together. He saw the beauty in me that I couldn’t see, he saw my scars but he didn’t look away.
It was also around then that I could no longer hide the truth, I knew I always had the support of loved ones, but I needed professional help. I was referred to an eating disorder service, that’s when everything began to fall into place, I began to understand. - I had to visit a dark place in my mind that I desperately wanted to forget, for years I tried to convince myself it didn’t happen, but the truth is, I survived years of abuse at the hands of someone who I was terrified of, bullied and manipulated by, he made me fear for my life & to this day is the cause of so much pain, but I keep fighting, he can’t hurt me now, I am no longer afraid. The truth can now only hurt him & he now fears me.
At 21, I was diagnosed as emotionally unstable. I live with depression, anxiety & PTSD, managed by medication and therapy and with patience, I’m almost where I want to be. I am often physically and mentally exhausted, I have to work 10 times harder just to reach a starting line. Like snails, it doesn’t matter how slow we go, just as long as we don’t stop.
Share some tips to the readers on some preventable measures that someone can start taking if they feel they are experiencing these same struggles.
My advice to anybody that may be experiencing these same struggles is to reach out, seek medical attention from a professional and note down somewhere private how you feel. Keep a journal, you can share this with a medical professional, it will help them with a treatment plan.
For me, the outdoors helps a lot. I love the beach, animals and spending time with those I love.
My dogs have played a huge role in my road to recovery. On days when I feel I can’t leave the house, they’re there to remind me that they need a walk, so outside we go, off the leash we run free.
I have to stay strong for the animals I share my home with, because nobody else could love and care for them the way I do.
School was tough, I was an angry kid, angry at myself, angry at everyone around me & I didn’t know why. I loved to swim, but fully clothed, so nobody could look at me. At the time I couldn’t explain why, I just knew I hated my body, my skin, I didn’t want to be seen.
I would tell myself that I’d be happy when I’m older, when I can be free, open about my sexuality, accepting of myself.
I came out as gay at 18, but I still felt unhappy. I asked myself, what else could there be? What is hiding inside of me? I always knew, but denial was my best friend and I never thought I’d have to tell anybody, I prayed that I’d forget someday.
At around the age of 14, maybe earlier, I developed an eating disorder. I obsessed over my appearance, I would only ever wear baggy clothes, I would pull on any clothing that felt too tight, I would literally walk holding onto the fabric near my stomach area so that nobody could see the shape of my body.
At 18, I met my boyfriend and next month marks our 7th year together. He saw the beauty in me that I couldn’t see, he saw my scars but he didn’t look away.
It was also around then that I could no longer hide the truth, I knew I always had the support of loved ones, but I needed professional help. I was referred to an eating disorder service, that’s when everything began to fall into place, I began to understand. - I had to visit a dark place in my mind that I desperately wanted to forget, for years I tried to convince myself it didn’t happen, but the truth is, I survived years of abuse at the hands of someone who I was terrified of, bullied and manipulated by, he made me fear for my life & to this day is the cause of so much pain, but I keep fighting, he can’t hurt me now, I am no longer afraid. The truth can now only hurt him & he now fears me.
At 21, I was diagnosed as emotionally unstable. I live with depression, anxiety & PTSD, managed by medication and therapy and with patience, I’m almost where I want to be. I am often physically and mentally exhausted, I have to work 10 times harder just to reach a starting line. Like snails, it doesn’t matter how slow we go, just as long as we don’t stop.
Share some tips to the readers on some preventable measures that someone can start taking if they feel they are experiencing these same struggles.
My advice to anybody that may be experiencing these same struggles is to reach out, seek medical attention from a professional and note down somewhere private how you feel. Keep a journal, you can share this with a medical professional, it will help them with a treatment plan.
For me, the outdoors helps a lot. I love the beach, animals and spending time with those I love.
My dogs have played a huge role in my road to recovery. On days when I feel I can’t leave the house, they’re there to remind me that they need a walk, so outside we go, off the leash we run free.
I have to stay strong for the animals I share my home with, because nobody else could love and care for them the way I do.
I created a safe place. My safe place is my home, my garden. I recommend finding ways to ground yourself, make time for yourself, do something you love. I make sure I have at least one day a week to myself to wind down, practice self care and leave work responsibilities for another day. I do this every Monday, which I now call my “Mental Health Monday” - but if I need time on a Thursday, I take it where I can. My mental health is my priority & yours should be too.
Where are you now in your life?
I am here. I take each day as it comes, reminding myself every day of how far I’ve come, what I’m here to do, who I’m growing to be and who I stay here for.
Some days I live life on cloud 9, other days I feel like I’m living life under a stormy rain cloud praying for a rainbow.
Where are you now in your life?
I am here. I take each day as it comes, reminding myself every day of how far I’ve come, what I’m here to do, who I’m growing to be and who I stay here for.
Some days I live life on cloud 9, other days I feel like I’m living life under a stormy rain cloud praying for a rainbow.
Somebody asked me recently: “At what point in your mental health journey have you been most proud of yourself?” - At first I couldn’t answer, but now I can.
On October 19th, I woke up feeling low, I didn’t want to leave the house, but I got ready and I began my journey to work. On my way, I drove by a young woman, she was alone, standing by a bridge, watching a busy road beneath her.
It was then that my pain disappeared. I opened my car window to ask if she was okay, I received no response. I desperately tried to get her attention, begging her to listen to me, but the voice in her head was louder than mine.
I hit the hazard button on my car, unclipped my belt, grabbed my mask and told her I was going to stand beside her. I told her my name, I told her she wasn’t alone, I asked if I could hug her. After what felt like hours, she started to hear me. I asked if I could take her somewhere, anywhere, where we could just talk. I took a complete stranger into my car & we drove away. I drove us to a car park nearby, my whole body shaking, I thanked her for her bravery & for trusting me. We spoke about why she was there, I told her more about myself than I have told my friends, we were both brave that day.
The police were notified, but I needed her to know that I wasn’t going to leave her, so I sat with her in the back of the police car, as she held on tightly to my hand.
She was taken to the hospital, where I met her and I waited with her until she was seen by a professional. I have felt the pain she felt but that day she had someone, that someone, a stranger, was me.
It’s been almost 2 weeks now, we have been in contact every day, she invited me to her home last week, I met her family and their faces alone spoke a thousand words.
This is my proudest moment in my journey, because she is still here. At a time when we both felt alone, we found each other.
My message here is that no matter what happens in life, we all have a voice to be heard, a story & a purpose. Find yours and remember to be kind, to all, including yourself.
Love, Kori x
@koripaulswabey
On October 19th, I woke up feeling low, I didn’t want to leave the house, but I got ready and I began my journey to work. On my way, I drove by a young woman, she was alone, standing by a bridge, watching a busy road beneath her.
It was then that my pain disappeared. I opened my car window to ask if she was okay, I received no response. I desperately tried to get her attention, begging her to listen to me, but the voice in her head was louder than mine.
I hit the hazard button on my car, unclipped my belt, grabbed my mask and told her I was going to stand beside her. I told her my name, I told her she wasn’t alone, I asked if I could hug her. After what felt like hours, she started to hear me. I asked if I could take her somewhere, anywhere, where we could just talk. I took a complete stranger into my car & we drove away. I drove us to a car park nearby, my whole body shaking, I thanked her for her bravery & for trusting me. We spoke about why she was there, I told her more about myself than I have told my friends, we were both brave that day.
The police were notified, but I needed her to know that I wasn’t going to leave her, so I sat with her in the back of the police car, as she held on tightly to my hand.
She was taken to the hospital, where I met her and I waited with her until she was seen by a professional. I have felt the pain she felt but that day she had someone, that someone, a stranger, was me.
It’s been almost 2 weeks now, we have been in contact every day, she invited me to her home last week, I met her family and their faces alone spoke a thousand words.
This is my proudest moment in my journey, because she is still here. At a time when we both felt alone, we found each other.
My message here is that no matter what happens in life, we all have a voice to be heard, a story & a purpose. Find yours and remember to be kind, to all, including yourself.
Love, Kori x
@koripaulswabey
Meet Misker Kassahun
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Mental health is a personal subject for me. I first had a struggle with my mental health when I started medical school. I was 18 years old and my plans of studying space science weren’t going as planned. To add to this, I was losing my faith. I went through my first year of medical school while struggling with depression. Every morning it was difficult to get out of bed and go to class. I felt hopeless and empty. Above all I felt alone and thought I was the only weak person going through it. People in my campus assumed I was antisocial because I never interacted with anyone and never smiled. Depression took my self esteem and made me feel like I have nothing to offer to my community and the world. My education suffered a lot during this period. But through time I was able to seek help and take measures that help me recover and continue my life free of depression. It helped me that I kept myself busy by developing hobbies like representing my country on pageants and doing modeling. I also started reading about human psychology, neuroscience and mental health which helped me understand myself and others better.
The awareness I would like to bring to anyone who is reading this is that mental health issues are much more common that we are led to believe. We all experience these problems and setbacks at some point in our lives. Especially this is true for those of us living in the age of technology and social media. I wish people could be a little more understanding and tolerant. I also wish people could take preventive measures before small issues escalate and lead in life changing and devastating mental health disorders. We all can make small modifications in our daily lives that in the long term will help us to have a solid mental life. The advice I give to others going through depression or other mental health issues is to seek help. We all hear this repeatedly but it can never be said enough times. It can be our friends, family or a health professional that we decide to talk to. The first step is to be able to tell someone else we trust what we are going through. These disorders tend to get worse as we ruminate and worry about it by ourselves. So take that first step and be able to share what is happening in your life. @Misker Kassahun |
