Sruthi Jayadevan's Story:

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Growing up in a rural village in South India, mental health was something so overlooked that I never even realized that "wellness" or the health of my mind was something I needed to be aware of. There were so many things to worry about, like finding your next meal or trying to get an education, and mental health was simply not a priority. The biggest struggle I had growing up was the feeling that I never fit in anywhere. I always felt out of place and distant from people, places and things around me. Being raised by a single mother in the desi community made me feel even more out of place. Divorce wasn't normal in the community. Having a mother who was independent, ambitious, smart and strong seemed to be something that was looked down upon rather than praised. Due to this, I always had many insecurities about myself without realizing that these insecurities were simply brought on by society, and did not define who I was. After I moved to the U.S, I went through a really dark phase during my high school years due to bullying. Simply because I looked different and was connected to my Indian roots. I kept to myself and focused only on my academics. I never nurtured my creativity, but rather rushed towards the world's definition of success. Pursuing biology and pre-med in college only left me even more drained as an individual. Although I pretended to be a fun and happy person on the outside, on the inside I felt detached and alone. After years of forgoing the wellness of my mind, I discovered meditation. I discovered the importance of self-awareness, self-love, embracing my roots, and pursuing a career that I was really passionate about. I started talking to my mom about mental health, and she shared her experiences with me as well. We both started on a healing journey a couple years ago, and I see a world of a difference in both our lives. I have always been a positive and bubbly person, but at this point in life, I finally feel as if though it is coming from deep within. It's not a false sense of happiness, or anything forceful. It's the feeling of finally being able to be myself, whether that be in my personal, professional or spiritual life. Everything in life started aligning once I started to take care of my mental health. I encourage every single person I come across to start on their journey of wellness. That's the only way to thrive and be joyful. Your outlook, perception and your mind define your entire life experience. Why would you not prioritize and nurture the single most important thing that defines your entire life?