How did you get through the most depressing times?
I think having support and love from friends and family is so important in going through hard times. My best friend in the entire world is the reason I am here today. Everyone needs support and someone to talk to regardless of it being friends, family, significant other, therapist, professor etc. We all deserve the same resources and we all deserve to live our best and most authentic lives by being the best version of ourselves.

How can you go from rock bottom to now being happy?
Well I wouldn’t say I’m always always happy, but I will say I talk about it a lot more. My life didn’t just magically become fixed I just now have the coping mechanisms and mindset that help me live my best and healthiest life.

How did you learn to exude confidence?
I think confidence is something that comes with time. Learning to love yourself can be quite challenging especially when you’re in a dark state of mind. I still have my days like everyone else, but i think most importantly something that helps with my confidence a lot is to not compare myself to others.

When did your mindset suddenly change on the way you viewed mental health after a life threatening car accident?
It took a few days to get through the shock and panic I had experienced. However it was only a couples days after that I reflected on this horrible experience and began to truly appreciate life for what it is. I saw how fast life can flash before your eyes and I saw just how in one second we can go from life to death. It taught me to appreciate life and to not take things for granted.

What is something you would say to your 16 year old self?
More than anything I would tell her she needs to believe in herself. I think it is very easy to start doubting yourself when others do but it’s about pushing through and having grit not letting anything or anyone bring you down. I also think confidence for me was nonexistent at 16 so that took a toll on my mental health. Being a teenager is hard as it is but having mental health issues makes it ten times harder.

Who is your biggest inspiration in your life?
My sister. She doesn’t realize how much she has shaped me into the woman I am today. She was a great role model for me even when I lost sight of myself and headed down the wrong path, she was always there. Something I greatly admire about her is she is so selfless and puts everyone else before herself. Some of my best attributes are because of her. She has taught me that life is about finding something to have faith in even when I felt hopeless. She has always been greatly involved with her faith and she was the one that made me realize I needed church again. Even in my darkest days and though I pushed her and everyone I loved away she was always there. She is my first call and I am so lucky to have her as my sister and best friend.

Why did you write “unbreakable”?
I was compelled to write this book because I feel that there is a lack of communication of mental health in the world and only is talked about when it is too late. I wanted to help even one person and save one life. I also wanted gen-z to understand that it is okay to be vulnerable and real.

What do you want people to take away after reading this?
More than anything I want people to know it is okay not to be okay but if they aren’t okay they need to seek help before it is too late. People need to realize their life has a purpose and even in the hardest times life is never worth giving up.

Other than the book, how else are you sharing your voice?
Actually I wrote a song with my sister and it was something that was really special. It’s a similar message to the book and has the same title. A love for singing is something we both share. I recorded the song recently to help spread my message. Song: “Unbreakable”

In the future I hope to record an acoustic version with my sister. My hope is that people will connect to the message either through the song or with the book, or maybe even both.

I am also beginning to speak to groups about my own personal journey. I really am enjoying sharing my experiences in such an authentic way.

What’s next for you?
Hopefully a lot more speaking engagements and opportunities to use my voice. Singing and writing songs/books are two things I am very passionate about. I want to continue to spread mental health awareness and encourage those who are struggling silently to get help. Most importantly I want to help change the stigma surrounding mental health as a whole.

Do you have a favorite line in the book?

“You are Enough. You are Worth it. You are Unbreakable.”

Book: Unbreakable: Breaking the silence, Finding my voice, Sharing my Story

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