I’m a 40-year-old bilingual Black Central American based in South Central Los Angeles, working as an arts educator and a trainer of Peer Support Specialists. I hold the Medi-Cal Certification for Peer Support Specialists in California and am deeply committed to using creative expression as a tool for healing and holistic wellness. My journey includes navigating severe anxiety, deep depression, and suicidal ideation that began as early as age six, alongside frequent childhood moves, social challenges, and multiple psychiatric hospitalizations. For years, I coped with the effects of chemical imbalances without fully understanding the root causes. During the pandemic, I used the space and time to seek out intentional, meaningful care for the first time—building a supportive team of professionals and starting a medication regimen that finally feels effective. Today, I share my experience to help others feel less alone and more empowered in their own healing journeys.