Stand Up For Mental Health Comedy Routine - childhood trauma

Video of my routine for our graduation show. This is an important program that allows those who have suffered with mental health issues to share their experiences so we can start talking about mental health and stop the cycle of silence, blame and shame. The reason I joined this program is because I want to be one of the people helping to remove the stigma and silence around mental health by being vulnerable and speaking about my own experiences. So many people are suffering in silence and feel they can't talk about what's going on. We need to be more supportive and not see mental health as any different from other health issues. People who struggle or have struggled with mental health issues are not some crazy bunch who are incapable of living fulfilling and productive lives. I have accomplished a lot in my life in spite of these struggles and there are many others like me. Admitting that I had to work through difficult things does not make my accomplishments any less valid; in fact, maybe they are even more valid because I've had to overcome a lot. And I know many people like me. We are not responsible for what we have inherited genetically or what has happened to us as a result of trauma that we suffered. But it is up to us to take what we have been dealt and make the absolute best of it and heal ourselves so we can be our best selves and, in the process, maybe we can help or inspire others facing similar challenges. Yesterday was our second graduation show and also the 35th anniversary of my dad's suicide. I want to dedicate this routine to him because when he was suffering he did not feel safe to talk about what was happening to him nor get help because he thought word would get out and people would judge him. I don't want to live in a world where people feel that way. Had he gotten help I am sure he would still be with us. The world lost an amazing person because of the stigma that existed and still exists, if to a lesser extent, around this issue and I wish to be part of the movement to change this and save lives. Every voice counts.

P.S. As you can see I changed my middle name again (lol) as I did not want to be named after someone who was killed by the Communists - there came a point when I realized they also killed a part of me but now I want to move past all that ... and my new middle name, Kālindī, was given to me by my Sanskrit teacher and I love it very much. Names are important.