Content warning: Reader discretion is advised as this personal account includes references to assault.
My journey with mental health has been a rollercoaster, marked by profound highs and devastating lows.
For eleven years, I was trying to navigate through my own healing process. The pressure was immense; I was bullied, harassed and racially discriminated against at work, the result of which was I had a major mental health breakdown.
“These experiences shaped me into the “strong one,” but they also isolated me in a lot of ways. It’s been a struggle to make others understand that mental health has its ups and downs, and that it doesn’t define or make you a write-off. One day you could be out socialising, and the next day you might not want to leave your house.”
Entering therapy, I started unpacking years of trauma. I had never revealed that I was sexually assaulted at the ages of nine, twelve, and fourteen. The trauma was deep-seated and affected my self-esteem and my ability to relate to others. I felt judged, guilty, ashamed and misunderstood. Education became my refuge; I collected degrees but remained socially awkward.
In 2020, during Christmas, everything came to a head. I decided it was time to leave my husband, and by January 2021, I was homeless.
“This marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I started to believe that I deserved better and that my experiences had a purpose – impacting others facing the challenges I did.”
My advocacy work began to flourish. I started volunteering and took on a leadership role. Despite the unpaid nature of the work, it gave my life meaning. I shared my story openly, realising that my vulnerability could inspire others. I wanted to show people that they were not defined by their past traumas.
COVID-19, in a way, validated my experiences. It showed the world what isolation felt like and how it impacted mental health. My advocacy found a new platform during the pandemic, and I began to reach more people.
Telling my story became my way of healing and giving hope. It was about stripping away the judgments and showing that you can be better than what you were. I learned to disconnect from the fear of judgment and focus on self-care. This journey of recovery, advocacy, and personal growth continues to shape my life.
Through my work, I strive to create a legacy that transcends my personal struggles. I want to show others, especially in my home country where mental health resources are scarce, that they can overcome their challenges.
My life, marked by pain and resilience, is now a story of hope and empowerment.
Joy is the NSW Leader for the Mental Health Foundation of Australia and sits on several committees and advisory boards such as the Multicultural Health Collaborative, along with being an Embrace Multicultural Mental Health Lived Experience Group member.
Photos by K B Photography.
