Marlena
Marlena
Sometimes, words can’t express your feelings
A year ago, Marlena stopped the antidepressant medication she had been taking for a dozen years. She had hoped to have a baby. But instead, she developed memories of childhood abuse.
It happened more than 30 years ago. The perpetrator had abused other kids. The trauma had blocked it from my memory.
What Marlena had remembered was the depression, irritability, and isolation. As a child, she would rather doodle on her notebooks than be around people.
Still, she was a good student and got accepted to college. Then in her freshman year, suicidal thoughts led to hospitalization.
I’ve had some people say, “Don’t worry. Be happy.”
Well, if it was that easy, I would have been well years ago. They just don’t understand.
Marlena uses photography, drawing, poetry, and painting to express the way she is feeling.
Through PeaceLove Studios in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, she honed her expressive art skills through their CREATORS program, with hopes of teaching the technique to others, including kids and teens with autism.
On Facebook, she talks about her own battle with mental health, and launched an imagery project, a series of rich, moving photos that instill emotion.
The visual helps people who don’t have mental heath conditions understand.
You can say all you want, but when you see it in a photo, it just clicks with people.
When she’s not behind the camera, Marlena surrounds herself with animals—including a 2-year-old pitbull, Kemo, and her rabbit, Penelope.
She now sees her therapist of 13 years weekly to work through her childhood memories. And she hopes to revisit her dream of motherhood soon.
She is committed to speaking up about her mental health, to change attitudes about a condition that is not unlike any other.
Some people are afraid. They wonder if they could lose their job or their kids if someone finds out.
We need to send the message that we are no different than anyone else.
