Sharing the story of a fellow sister queen & the importance of mental health to her.

Tell us a little bit about you & your journey with mental health? 

“My journey with mental health has had many ups and downs. After my great grandmother passed .. I remember telling myself I’d never be happy again.School seemed hard, friendships seemed hard, lots of things weren’t the same. “

Why do you believe it is important to use our voices to tell our stories? 

“I think people should be open about their situation as long as they are comfortable. Many people everyday struggle with horrible thoughts. Knowing they aren’t alone helps. EVERYLIFE matters! “

What are some tips you’d like to tell young girls that may not know how to handle their mental health struggles? 

“Some tips I’d give to others struggling. Is let family know and try to seek help. It seems hard to talk about it but it really will help. Another thing is don’t be ashamed you aren’t alone .”

Tell us about your platform!! 

“My platform is Mental health cause I as a individual has struggled with it. As a peer mentor I help younger kids and talk with them making sure they are ok. Trying as much as I can to support and let others know they are loved.”
- Haley ( @haleyh100 on Instagram) 

AAPI Heritage Month

Not only is it Mental Health Awareness Month, it is also AAPI Heritage Month! I had the honor of interviewing my best friend Kai to give you all a little insight on her life, family, and culture! It is extremely important to be educated on different cultures and how each individual may persevere things such as mental health. Kai and their family have always been amazing role models in my life, so it is my pleasure to offer kai this space to share a little of their story!! 

What does AAPI Heritage Month mean to you?

It’s a time where I can really appreciate the community, the art, and the food and everything. I love when AAPI creators are highlighted so I can support them even more. It’s also a time where people bring AAPI problems to the front of the table which I really appreciate. Every community has their own set of unique issues and challenges living in the US and I think it’s important to be able to have open discussions on everything so everyone can be safe and happy!

Who do you look up to in the AAPI community?

My family, Mama, GongGong, and all the Gagas. Ever since I was little, and certainly outside this month, I’ve always, always, looked up to my family. They mean the whole entire world to me and I aspire to be as driven and strong and successful because of them AND for them. They really are my rock and I don’t know what I’d do without them.

What would you like to highlight about your own heritage?

I would like to highlight the strong sense of community that I have because of my family. They always have this mentality of bringing everyone into the success and making sure no one gets left behind. Despite their jokes and bits, they really do care deeply and I have to credit that to growing up with them.

What’s it like being an Asian American in regards to art & growing up?

I definitely think my art is influenced by east-Asian and southeast-Asian iconography. Growing up I would visit Canal Street all the time since my grandma worked there, and I would go on holidays and to visit family.

Any advice for young Asian kids who may be experiencing bullying or mental health struggles?

I always think the answer lies in community. Having mental health struggles is not easy, but it does get easier as time passes. To my AAPI out there, your family cares, that’s why they push you. However, they probably don’t understand your situation, they only understand theirs. This world is always changing and there are now opportunities for success and happiness that aren’t simply just going to school and college and becoming whatever it is they want you to be.

Important links: 

Stop AAPI Hate

Asian Americans Advancing Justice

Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment, Advocacy & Leadership (APPEAL)

National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum

https://www.verywellmind.com/mental-health-resources-for-asian-pacific-islander-communities-5116843#:~:text=The%20National%20Asian%20American%20Pacific,Pacific%20Islanders%2C%20and%20Native%20Hawaiians.

Interview with Alex Faith Fordy

When I was fifteen I fell in love with a cartoon called Miraculous Ladybug. One of the very first fan accounts I ever followed was Alex’s! She is truly resilient, beautiful, and so kind. I had the honor of getting to interview her as part of my Mental Health Awareness Month posts!! If you don’t follow her already you totally should! Her Instagram handles are @alexdrienette & @alexfaithfordy 

My name is Alex, I’m 22 years old and I am currently working towards my acting career. I have been posting content on social media, more specifically for Miraculous Ladybug, for several years now. Starting with instagram and then TikTok as well.

I remember when I first made my instagram account. It’s 2016, I’m 15 years old and my friend and I had noticed how “popular” every account was because the show was so brand new… We gushed about the idea that we could reach 1,000 followers or more like all of them… Little did I know…Again, I was only 15. I had no experience with the feeling of popularity and suddenly, my account kept growing and growing and more people came to know my name. It was all happy and cheerful until I noticed a lot of negativity was coming my way. And I’m not sure if it was out of spite or envy, but it just kept on coming. I already had low self esteem as is, like any other teenager would. But this was just the beginning of something so terrible and harmful to my well-being. It effected me so greatly because it was very rare I’d experience any bullying. I almost didn’t consider it bullying, I genuinely just thought there was something wrong with me that I wasn’t seeing.  I had to see my face cropped onto these disgusting images and read all these messages about myself that made me truly believe that I was the issue, and that I deserved this. It lead me to a very dark and secluded place in my mind that ultimately changed so much in my life, not a good change. I started having panic attacks every night, but I would keep them to myself. But alongside those panic attacks, I couldn’t even sleep. I would twist and turn because my mind kept giving me all these bad ideas as to what they could do to me. And I had to be awake to see it. I convinced myself I wasn’t allowed to sleep because it’s better I see it first, rather wake up to it.  It stopped, but then started again with different people. I had some people with their usual mean messages, then I had people find my phone number and spam me with face times only to mock me when I would answer to ask them to stop, and then I also had one girl make my life miserable for a very long time.

It was like I couldn’t catch a break. And I constantly felt suffocated and overwhelmed. I used to tell myself every day that one day it will stop. That I could breathe again. And yes, we’ve reached that day. But the breathing is still laboured. I still have panic attacks when certain memories trigger my mind and I have scars on my body that won’t ever go away. But I just wanted to

be here. And my love for this show and the friends I have gained, kept me there. No matter how hard it got. Recovery is all still a work in progress, but it took a lot of deep breaths and fight in me to overcome what once caused me so much pain. To anyone who is struggling — Whether it be with mental health, bullying or unfortunately both. I know it’s scary. I know it’s overwhelming. And I know you feel out of control. But you deserve light and you deserve love. You can imagine yourself as a flower. One day you get stepped on, despite being so beautiful… but eventually. You’ll grow back. Maybe in a different way, more petals than before. But those petals are your story and your strength. Allow yourself to grow. Take deep breaths and connect with good people who will take care of you. Overall getting to speak up about mental health has been a pleasure for me to do, despite the meaning behind why I do. To give people a voice, one that I went so long without having… is a wonderful feeling. And I will continue to share my storie(s) if it means making someone else feel seen and heard. I will always advise people to share their own story. Everyone’s story matters. 

Though the anxiety is high, and the depression lingers… I am just so incredibly thankful for the good people in my life who got me through it all. So thank you.

———

Once again I’d love to thank Alex for sharing her story and being such a light in this world!!