JulieMango, a Jamaican-American comedian, in a recent conversation with Caribbean National Weekly, a Florida-based media outlet, shared her mental health journey and advice for those struggling with the disorder.
Despite her meteoric rise to social media stardom, JulieMango struggled with mental health issues, including multiple suicide attempts and self-mutilation. She associated her name, Juliet Bodley, with these battles and felt like she had to hide behind her JulieMango moniker, the comedian who makes everyone laugh but is not able to heal herself. She shares how cognitive distortions and imposter syndrome would take over her mind and cause her to experience emotional pain, which led to the return of her suicidal tendencies.
“I was ashamed of my name Juliet Bodley, because I associated it with years of mental health struggles, multiple suicide attempts (three worth noting), consistent self-mutilation, and struggles with my faith as a Christian.” she said
Further stating, “I associated the name “Juliet” with an unhappy, yet successful, engineer trapped in a body that she hates, but exuded dexterity in putting on a face of glee; pretending that she has everything under control.”
She sought therapy for depression and anxiety and was able to regain control of her emotions and find joy in creating content that uplifts others.
JulieMango shares her story to break down the taboo surrounding mental health discussions and provide advice from the perspective of someone who has been through mental health struggles. She emphasizes the importance of emotional resonance and empathy when discussing mental health and breaking the stigma associated with it. She encourages open and honest conversations around mental health and policies that encourage understanding and preventative measures.
To those struggling with mental health issues, JulieMango reminds them that they are not alone and that help is available. She explains that neuroplasticity allows individuals to change the way their brain thinks and process information, providing hope for those seeking to heal. Overall, her story and advice serve as a reminder that mental health struggles are common, but there are resources available, and the stigma surrounding mental health needs to be broken.
