area of life have you been most successful and comfortable to share with the
world about? Mental health.
What
inspired you to pursue this journey, and how did you overcome
initial challenges? My inspiration occurred in 2019 after being
diagnosed with a Bipolar disorder condition. I was at a rehabilitation center when I decided to go public with the issue. I remember getting various
reactions and feeling the stigma around bipolar disorder how it can make you ‘sick’
and might actually cause death. My mother did not like the idea of me going
public on the matter and speaking about it. It’s been a journey of many ups and
downs, a journey that made me lose friends, people looking at me in a different
way, but still a journey that has opened many doors and a journey that has
given people awareness on matters of mental health. ‘The one with the wound
knows the pain.’ I decided to portray my story as a case study and decided to
take the stones and all the ridicule so that I can make someone out there understand
what mental health is all about.
Please share a significant
moment or decision that played a significant role in your success? Back in 2017, a wave
of depression hit me. I am a mother of two sons. On one Monday morning, we were
in a hotel room and that night I could not sleep. At 7am, early morning, I went
into town, found an open agro vet shop and asked for ‘ Difenacoum’ rat poison.
‘Luckily’, I had enough money and I bought it. I mixed it with water and was
ready to give it to my sons and later consume it after they had died.
Fortunately, a friend who had once accommodated me at her place called and I was
hesitant to pick the call at first as I felt she was interfering with my plans.
She asked how my sons and I were doing and I broke down. She managed to calm me
down, I told her what I was planning to do and within no time she came and
picked us at the location, as instructed by my elder son. While also struggling
with mental issues, there was this time I had a strong voice telling me to kill
my mum. I felt this was not going well at all and I remember admitting myself
to a rehabilitation centre. I was 32year old then. This was my turning point. I
understood the condition I was suffering from and started receiving the
appropriate guidance, care and medication. By the great support from my
parents, I can proudly say that I’ve come from far.
How do you navigate work-life
balance and maintain your well-being amidst the success? Learning the act of time management has been
key. My family also supports me a lot. This has pushed me all through.
What advice
would you give to aspiring women on a similar journey or who dream of the same
kind of success? Accept your
condition and make peace with it. Have the thought in mind that someone is
looking up to you and you must stand up and save them. Be real to self.
In the face of setbacks, how do
you stay resilient and continue to thrive in your journey? The ‘thank you’ from
the people I’ve helped. It moves me so much upon realizing that I made a
difference in someone’s life. I feel like many are out there are waiting for me
and I have to hold on because if it ain’t me, then it’s me.
We are grateful to Jackline for allowing us to share her journey. If you need support in navigating your own journey like Jackline has done, please let us know.
Please give some love to Jackline by leaving a comment below. You can also reach out to us via the contact section if you know a woman whose story will encourage other women globally like Jackline’s story today. God Bless You!
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