Joyz (Not her real name)
Growing up in a family with a history of mental health disorders was challenging. Through those years, Joyz (not real name) herself struggled with mild depression. Though she felt very alone amongst friends, the culture in her family that embraced talking about these emotional issues helped her cope with some of the thoughts and emotions. Her mum in particular was a great support, often providing a listening ear. Like a plant that takes time to grow, Joyz learnt that she too needed to be patient with herself and the journey. Eventually, that openness, the support of family and friends, and most importantly the hope that she found allowed Joyz to walk out of depression. It continues to be a journey with deliberate efforts of self-care, such as exercise and building a support network of close friends, Joyz now looks back on those years with gratitude for what they taught her about treasuring life and living well. This is her story to tell.
In this video, Joyz (not real name) has elected to use a pseduo-name in an effort to protect her family members from a society that remains harsh towards people with mental health issues and their families. It is therefore the mission of THE M.A.D RACE to engender changes within society in how we relate to them. Join us on our ongoing efforts to make this a possibility, and encourage people like Joyz, that they will see brighter days ahead.
