Joaquín
Joaquín
Mental health is something you have control over
Although Joaquín does not believe that his condition was linked to a single factor, he recalls that his feelings of resentment and sadness began at the age of 9, after having to change classes at school due to an episode of bullying toward a close friend.
I had to start from nothing. My relationship with my parents was not good. And all that led me to isolate myself.
Yes, I had friends, but my relationships were superficial. I had no confidants. Nothing.
As Joaquín grew up, so did his negative feelings. He began to underperform at school and became overweight.
I didn’t really care about school. I didn’t see the point in studying or being with my friends.
I felt I had to change my personality and I hid my true self. I didn’t let anyone get to know the real me. I also got quite fat. I weighed 220 pounds just at the age where you started to meet girls.
Because of my negative thoughts, I lived a different life than my peers.
Inside, Joaquín always felt that he needed help, and that people around him realized it as well but did nothing. This led to strong feelings of resentment and eventually he began misusing alcohol.
After several episodes of intoxication, he sought professional help.
That’s when I said I need a psychologist, who referred me to a psychiatrist. Finally, at 17, I was diagnosed with major depression.
I went to a psychologist for a year, but I wasn’t ready for the process. Although, he did plant the seed for my recovery.
“Today, I feel amazing and I want others to feel that way, that people really recognize that the responsibility is theirs and they always have the opportunity to choose.”
Since he was a child, Joaquín had wanted to become a priest, but his condition led him to move away from his faith as well.
Upon entering college, he decided to study psychology, a decision that changed the course of his life.
It was the best decision I could have made. I learned to self-analyze.
This career path ended up giving me the tools I need to help myself get out of my head and see things more fully.
At college, I was also able to work with a psychologist and really realize that I was responsible for myself and that I had to make an effort.
During his career, Joaquín finally felt he could face his condition—learning new social skills, taking care of his health, and focusing on helping other people from a place of empathy.
I became like my own psychologist a little bit. I learned things about myself. When I was able to work, I was able to show real empathy toward others.
When we talk about mental health, we confuse being responsible for ourselves with being to blame for what happens to us, and very few see that.
Currently, Joaquín tries every day to live his best life. He is also working on a project with his brother to normalize seeking help for mental health struggles so it can be seen as a preventive measure, not just for critical situations. They also want to address that there are still few people who have access to care.
One day, I realized that I could smile. I thought ‘I really made it.’
Today, I feel amazing and I want others to feel that way, that people really recognize that the responsibility is theirs and they always have the opportunity to choose.
And so, this challenge of living with mental health challenges becomes something you have control over.
Joaquín’s story is also available in Spanish
