05/02/2026
May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
A cause that anyone who knows me knows is incredibly near and dear to my heart. Mental health affects every single one of us, whether we realize it or not. It shows up in how we think, how we cope, how we connect with others, and how we move through our everyday lives. Taking care of our mental health is just as important as taking care of our physical health, and it deserves the same attention, compassion, and understanding.
This year, I want to talk about mental health medications and the stigma that still exists around them, even the kind we don’t always recognize as stigma. I have to admit… I had my own feelings wrapped up in that stigma. After some negative experiences with two different SSRI medications when I was younger, I built up a lot of hesitation. I carried those feelings even after working in the mental health field for over three years! I saw the benefits medications had for others, but still couldn’t bring myself to talk to my therapist about trying them again.
It took me over 10 years of growing, healing, and accepting that I’ve recently been in a place that I couldn’t just push myself out of on my own. With a lot of reassurance from my partner and my therapist, I finally started Venlafaxine this January. During that first week, all I could think was, “wow… I wish I had done this five years ago.”
Medications aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution, and there isn’t one “right” option for everyone. They can feel intimidating; we hear other people’s negative experiences and it can make the idea overwhelming. But finding the right fit often takes open-mindedness, research, self-advocacy, support, and patience with yourself along the way.
I’m a mental health advocate with both personal and professional experience, and I’m always here to listen. Whether you need help figuring out where to start, want insight on different treatment options, or just need someone to talk to, I’ve got you 🙂💚 Be kind to yourself, be kind to others, and most importantly, be kind to your mind!