Katrina Sta Cruz

I learned about mental health when I was 16 years old. At first, I didn't fully understand it and often questioned why some people couldn't simply suppress their emotions like I did. Over time, I realized that doing so was unhealthy and damaging not only to my relationships with my family and friends, but also to my relationship with myself. I had become so used to pushing down my feelings that I grew numb to many emotions and lost confidence in expressing myself, simply because I couldn't describe what I was feeling. Although I still struggle, I've seen meaningful change in myself and in how I connect with others as I've focused on healing and understanding my inner self. My relationships have grown stronger, I've found the courage to speak up more, and I feel increasingly aligned with who I truly am.