Natasha
Natasha
I am the screenwriter of my story
Natasha was always a calm and lively child. But at age 15, she started to feel “weird” about herself and the people around her.
Those feelings persisted and a few years later, she decided to go to the doctor and psychologist for a checkup. She was diagnosed with acute depression and a psychotic disorder.
At first, she refused to accept her diagnosis.
I felt like I was in a movie where I was the main character, talking to myself, taking medication, and not understanding what was going on.
Natasha faced many obstacles because of her denial that she had a mental health disorder, including challenges at work and issues with friends and family.
The biggest issue she faced was when her mental health condition caused her to lose a leadership position at work.
They thought I was weak and couldn’t keep that job. They saw me as quite fragile.
After several relapses and years of struggling with her mental, emotional, and physical health, Natasha accepted that depression is part of her and has learned to embrace the good side of her diagnosis and treatment.
I will always need work on overcoming my diagnosis.
To deal with the challenges of her mental health, Natasha researches and reads about her diagnosis. She also seeks out people who share their story so that they can relate to each other.
I can now say that I pay more attention to the details and situations around me.
I consider myself a more empathetic person and I want other people who also have a mental health disorder to be able to understand and accept themselves.
Natasha is a much stronger person now and is aware of how important mental health can be. She is excited to be able to continue to share her story and make an impact on the lives of others who may be going through a similar situation.
It is time to break the stigma that society has put on mental health disorders and the obstacles that can present themselves throughout any individual’s life.
After many years of struggles, Natasha is proud to have taken ownership of her life.
I direct and star in my own movie. I am the screenwriter of my story.
I am very happy to be able to be part of this campaign and tell my experiences to the rest of the world—to people who may be feeling similarly and do not know how to face their diagnosis and accept themselves.
Natasha’s story is also available in Spanish
