Humans of Brown

My journey of mental health recovery surfaced after moving to Sacramento, CA, in 2007. I relocated to UC Davis Medical Center with a clinical research team I worked with during high school at Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine. I began undergrad at California State University Sacramento studying pre-med. Risky behaviors linked to bipolar I disorder led me to a diagnosis in 2009 of HIV positive. Living on my own 2000 miles away from my family, the responsib...Continue reading

My journey to social work has been a long time coming My childhood experiences are ultimately what have led me here. I experienced first hand the effects of domestic violence, substance abuse, undiagnosed mental illness, verbal abuse, and absolute poverty during my childhood. I remember what it was like to feel lost and helpless in my situation. I remember what it was like to turn to self-harm in order to cope with all the adversities I had to face My life changed in 2...012 when one single person decided to love me and help me fulfill the potential to be who I am today. This person loved me for who I was and accepted that I was flawed and broken. They ensured that I got connected to the resources I needed in order to thrive and stop self harming. That person believed in me, and saw my potential and that made all the difference in the world Unfortunately, My adversities didn’t end at childhood. I suffer from anxiety and depression, struggle to create and maintain boundaries with people whose relationships are toxic to me, and even found myself in an emotionally abusive relationship in college. But, I overcame these obstacles as well, and was the first person in my family to graduate from college. I believe this was simply because someone loved me, believed In me and saw past my circumstances. When people ask me why I want to be a social worker who works with young adults impacted by violence, I tell them it’s because I want to return the favor that was done for me. I tell them that I want to make someone smile at a time in their life when they thought they couldn’t, I tell them it’s because I truly believe that if one person believes in us and sees us for who we are, that we can accomplish anything

I am First! The First-Generation Human's of Brown