Sarah
“Being a woman is solving impossible problems. It’s about creating boundaries. Giving people support without destroying my own mental health. It’s about being vulnerable and strong, and not having all the answers and that it is okay to not be okay!”
*Content Warning: Discussions of suicide and an ED.
Sarah is a warm soul who appreciates the simple things in life, whether it is solo camping, a freshly brewed cup of coffee, or a sunset. These are characteristics that transcend into her TikTok videos, where she has created a safe space that celebrates little victories, discusses hardships, as well as platforms her mental health journey. Having been improperly treated by the healthcare system in the past, she is passionate about transforming and improving structures that assist with mental health in order to ensure no one else has to experience what she did. Her kindness, resilience, bravery and openness provide so much value to her audience, as she casts a net of comfort and reassurance out to others who are struggling and might need a friend along the way. Meet Sarah. This is her story.
K: Please introduce yourself!
S: Hi! My name is Sarah. I'm from British Columbia in Canada. I'm 19 years old. I'm a socially anxious, bubbly person. I'm really quiet when I first meet you, but I'm a social butterfly once I get comfortable.
K: What is your favorite thing about yourself?
S: One of my favourite things about myself is that I have a big heart. I love helping people, I'm always that friend that will drop everything to try my best to try to help with whatever you're going through.
K: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
S: One story that always comes to mind is not a positive one. (If you get triggered with talk of suicide please skip this part!) I was in a really dark place. I've struggled with depression for a while, but that night was really bad. I didn't want to live anymore. I didn't feel worthy enough to live on this earth; that everyone would be better off without me. A friend was worried about me, so she called the police to do a wellness check on me. I got a call saying that the police were headed to my house. When the police came, they put me in handcuffs and shoved me into the back of the police car and took me to the hospital.
While in the hospital waiting for hours to get checked in, still handcuffed, everyone was staring at me, like I was some criminal. A couple hours later, I finally got a room. Waited an hour to see the psychiatrist. She gave me a "safe plan" and discharged me. I had a scheduled psychiatrist appointment 5 months later from the hospital. That experience has shown how flawed the mental health system is. This experience doesn't define me, but it has made me realize that there is so much that needs to be changed. Which has made my passion for fixing the mental health system even stronger after being treated like a criminal.
K: What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
S: One piece of advice that I would give my younger self is that life is going to suck. It's going to throw you so many curveballs, but remember that no matter how alone you feel, there is always someone who cares and will always be there for you and life does get better!
K: What does being a woman mean to you?
S: I live with mental health issues including an eating disorder. Being a woman is solving impossible problems. It’s about creating boundaries. Giving people support without destroying my own mental health. It’s about being vulnerable and strong, and not having all the answers and that it is okay to not be okay!
K: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
S: The woman who has inspired me, is myself. I know that isn’t the most common answer, but honestly, I am the person who believed in my own strength. A lot of my life hasn't been easy & a lot of the times, I've felt alone. That the only person who was always there for me, was myself. After everything I've been through, I've always picked myself up. I've fought. I've realized my strength. I've never let myself down. I inspire me, and I hope by sharing my mental health struggles, I can inspire others.
