People may recognise me and my story, and while it has become part of how some people know me, I am also much more. In the quiet, everyday moments of my life, I’m an introverted extrovert. I enjoy being with those who matter most to me, and those who know me well understand how loud, giggly, and outgoing I can be. Yet, at my core, I am a true introvert. I cherish quiet moments, my own company, solo coffee dates, spontaneous drives to pick up fresh flowers, and activities that replenish me. I need these peaceful times for myself.

I've always seen myself as someone who wants to make others happy. Trying so hard to please everyone has sometimes left me feeling worn out, burned out, and a little disconnected from who I truly am. These days, I find that being myself, genuine and present, is what feels most real. I believe that showing vulnerability can be a real strength, and it’s important to be careful not to let others take advantage of that. I also feel that we don’t tell the people in our lives enough just how much they mean to us or how much we love them. I think now is a wonderful time to start sharing those feelings more openly.

Experiences where I was recognised as a person rather than a label, and treated with respect, understanding, kindness, love and empathy, have truly made a lasting impression on me. For a long time, I struggled with judgment, misunderstandings, and lingering misconceptions and stigma around my mental health diagnoses, even within our own mental health systems. To this day, certain experiences still leave me traumatised.

Being treated with respect, understanding, kindness, love and empathy, and being listened to, heard and given a safe space to share my emotions without fear or repercussions, has always stayed with me. These experiences were not only healing, but they have also become the reason I am so determined to create change around how society responds to mental health and suicide.

When someone first reads my story, I truly hope it helps them feel less alone in their mental health struggles. I want them to know that no matter how tough things may seem, there’s always hope and a chance for things to improve. I also hope it encourages people to speak up about their mental health and to share when they’re struggling, because there’s absolutely no shame in doing so.

My two dogs have been such incredible sources of support. They aren’t trained therapy dogs, but the love, understanding and unwavering support they give have truly been life changing, maybe even lifesaving. My family welcomed Indy, my eldest dog, a few months before I lost my legs in a suicide attempt. She was just a puppy when all of this happened, but she knew right away. One day while I was in hospital, my parents and the nurses arranged a surprise visit from her.

Honestly, I’m getting a bit teary eyed writing this. There was a moment when she realised who I was. She jumped into my arms, started giving me kisses and made this adorable howling noise. She hasn’t left my side since that day. She’s been the most wonderful companion and a truly healing presence for me.

Now that I have two dogs, Indy and Zahra, I feel like I have twice the understanding and support. I always feel so safe around them. They constantly make me laugh and brighten my day, and that’s something I honestly don’t know what I’d do without.

Reflecting on the challenges I’ve faced, both physically and mentally, has been quite a journey, more impactful than I could put into words. Through it all, I’ve gained so much insight into myself. The most important lesson I’ve learned is about my own resilience. When you're in the middle of fighting to survive, it might feel like you’re at your weakest, but I’ve discovered that I’ve been incredibly strong all along. Looking back, I now cherish that strength instead of being too hard on myself. This experience has also helped me recognise my own worth, and that realisation has been truly empowering.

If there’s one thing my journey has taught me, it’s that showing genuine care for someone who’s quietly struggling begins with simply checking in. Let them know you care and that you’re there if they want to talk. If they do open up, listen with an open heart without judging or trying to fix things. Create a safe space where they feel supported and understood. Ask what they need, meet them where they are, and most importantly keep showing up, not just once, but for the long haul.

If my journey could carry one quiet offering to another woman today, the thing I hope she really carries with her is this: her body, exactly as it is, always has been and will always be beautiful and enough. There has never been anything wrong with our bodies, but there has been everything wrong with beauty standards. Our bodies weren’t made to fit a number on a clothing tag. Clothes were made to fit our bodies, as they are. While I mainly do advocacy work around mental health and suicide prevention, I hope that by showing up in my body as it is, I encourage and empower other women to do the same.

I am about to launch my own Mental Health Movement, launching in May, watch this space.