Why I Write About Mental Health

Mental health is not just something I write about — it’s something I live, witness, and advocate for every day. My awareness comes from a lifetime of lived experiences and the voluntary work I’ve done with individuals and communities struggling in silence. I write because I know how isolating it can feel when you don’t have the words to explain what’s happening inside you.

I come from a generation that was taught to keep going no matter what. We were raised to take life’s hardships “on the chin,” to be strong, silent, and stoic. We didn’t talk about our feelings — not because we didn’t have them, but because we were never taught how to express them. We buried our pain, ignored the signs, and carried the weight of unspoken traumas for years. Then, somewhere down the line, the emotional storm arrived — sudden, overwhelming, and confusing. That storm was never sudden; it was the slow build-up of suppressed emotions, undigested pain, and unnamed struggles.

The truth is, many people suffer not from the intensity of their experiences, but from the inability to express or make sense of them. Words matter. Language gives shape to what we feel. If we can’t name our stress, our grief, or our anxiety, we carry it silently in our bodies — and that silence becomes its own kind of suffering.

For today’s generation, the challenges are different, yet just as heavy. We live in a world that promotes perfection at every turn. Social media, peer pressure, and societal expectations have created a constant fear of not being enough, of standing out, of being flawed. Young people are afraid that if they speak up about their mental health, they’ll be seen as weak, broken, or “different.”

This is why I write.

I write to give a voice to the quiet battles many people are fighting. I write to normalize the conversation around mental health and help remove the shame, fear, and stigma that still surrounds it. I write because I believe that every person — especially every young person — deserves to grow up in a world where talking about mental health is seen as strong, not shameful.

One of my greatest passions is helping children and communities learn the language of mental health. When we equip our youth with the vocabulary to understand and express their emotions, we give them a powerful tool for self-awareness, connection, and healing. We can’t prevent all pain — but we can help ensure they never have to carry it alone or in silence.

The books in this series reflect that mission. They address common struggles with compassion and clarity, opening up pathways to talk, reflect, and grow. Please know that while these writings are rooted in my professional experience, they are not a substitute for professional support. If you or someone you care about is struggling, please reach out to a doctor or a mental health professional. Help is available, and you are never alone.