Mental health is a deeply personal and often invisible struggle, one that can be difficult to articulate and even harder to understand from the outside. The principle of "show, don’t tell" offers a powerful way to express the realities of living with mental illness, allowing us to reveal the emotional and psychological landscape in a way that resonates with others.

Language is a powerful tool for understanding and expressing the complexities of mental health. The Words of the Week (WoW) series has provided a platform for exploring the vocabulary that surrounds mental illness, offering a way to articulate the often-invisible struggles that many of us face. This blog delves into how language can help us navigate the challenges of mental health, offering insight, comfort, and connection through carefully chosen words.

Physics has always been a guiding light in my life, offering a sense of order, structure, and understanding in a world that can often feel chaotic and overwhelming. However, my journey with mental illness has added another dimension to my relationship with this science. The challenges I’ve faced with mental health have not only shaped my perspective on physics but...

As I set my goals for the next year, I’m acutely aware of the impact that mental illness has had on my journey. While these challenges have shaped many aspects of my life, they have also fueled my determination to grow, learn, and achieve. This year, my goals are focused on balancing my ambitions with my well-being, ensuring that I pursue growth in a way that is sustainable, mindful, and aligned with my mental health needs.

My identity is a complex tapestry woven from the rich cultural influences of Congo, Uganda, and Canada. However, another significant thread in this tapestry is my experience with mental illness. Navigating life with mental illness has profoundly impacted how I perceive myself and how I relate to my cultural heritage. This blog is a reflection on how my journey with mental health intersects with my cultural identity, shaping the person I am today.

When I first thought about starting a blog, the idea felt overwhelming. The fears were almost paralyzing—what if I couldn’t write well? What if I exposed too much of my personal life and was judged for it? These fears were deeply rooted in my struggle with mental illness, a battle I had fought long before I even realized what was happening to me.