Taking Care of Ourselves & Each Other

Health & Well-Being

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In Focus: My Mental Health Healing Journey - Cherrial's Story

While a mental health diagnosis can be illuminating and validating for some, it can also make others feel trapped and hopeless. We have made strides in breaking stigmas around mental health, yet I don’t think we always communicate what healing looks like or that it is even possible. This is a piece of my story. 

CONTENT WARNING: depression, anxiety, and suicide

 

Cherrial's Story

When I was thirteen years old I attempted to take my own life twice. I was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. I felt hopeless. I thought things would never get better, that my life would always be suffering. 

However, after my second attempt I am extremely grateful to say that I found a nonprofit organization, the Inspiring Children Foundation, that gave me the tools, support, inspiration, and wisdom I needed to begin to heal. In that process, a wise man once told me “Adversity can be a gift, if we choose to make it so.” 

I used to resent my mental health and life challenges, falling into ruminating thoughts and feelings that convinced me how awful I was and how awful my life was. For a long time, I stayed stuck in rumination, which prevented me from pursuing healing. I saw my challenges as a curse that I would have to live with for the rest of my life. This mindset continued to create more and more pain for me, until I hit my bottom — and when I hit the bottom — desperation set in — then a willingness to take action. I decided then and there that I was willing to do whatever it took to be happy, that I wasn’t going to quit. So I decided to adopt the “adversity is a gift” outlook and take action. 

My struggles required me to hold myself to a higher standard of wellness, to be willing to go through short term pain for long term happiness, to address and let go of my unhealthy coping mechanisms, and through all of this to become a more loving, healthy, and wise version of myself. This has been the greatest gift of my life.

I am now at the point where I cry tears of joy on a regular basis, which I never could’ve imagined in the depth of my struggles. In times of difficulty I now know how to cope in healthy ways, am able to better manage my depression and anxiety, and I am no longer suffering like I used to. I now share the tools I’ve learned in community with others through Wellness Buddies, a mental health and wellness community I started on campus. With the right tools and support, I believe others can experience the joys of healing. So if you are out there right now reading this, I hope I can leave you with the belief that healing is possible.

Written by: Cherrial Odell, Class of 2025

May is Mental Health Awareness Month!

It's essential to remember that mental illness does not define you. Here are some tips on how to live with a mental illness and explore other healing modalities:

1. Seek professional help: It's crucial to seek professional help if you're struggling with your mental health. Consider reaching out to CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) for support. 

2. Practice self-care: Self-care is essential for maintaining mental wellness. Take time to do things you enjoy, prioritize sleep, eat nutritious foods, and exercise regularly.

3. Explore different healing modalities: There are many healing modalities beyond traditional therapy, including meditation, yoga, art therapy, and more. These can be helpful in managing symptoms and promoting well-being.

4. Connect with others: Isolation can worsen mental health issues, so it's crucial to connect with others. Join a support group, talk to friends and family, or reach out to a mental health advocacy organization.

Remember, mental illness is common, and you're not alone. Seeking help and support is a sign of strength, and there are many Mental Health Resources at Stanford available to help.

Resources

Stanford Resources

  • Counseling and Psychological Services: If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or challenged, know that you are not alone in these difficult times, and there are CAPS therapists committed to helping you work through what you are struggling with. Schedule an appointment by calling 650.723.3785 on weekdays from 9am-4pm. Crisis counseling for urgent concerns, call: 650.723.3785 and ask for the “on-call counselor,” available 24 hours a day.
  • The Bridge Peer Counseling Center: Your peers may be a good first step to sharing your struggles and identifying what support you may need. The Bridge offers anonymous peer counseling by trained students in person and by phone (24/7 support for phone calls). 
  • How Cherrial Odell ’25 began to heal A bit of a deeper dive into Cherrial’s story as featured in the Stanford Daily
  • Join Stanford Wellness Buddies Led by Cherrial, this campus program, in partnership with Stanford Mental Health Outreach, aims to support students with their physical, emotional, and mental health. 

Emergency Services and Non-Stanford Crisis Hotlines:

If you or someone you know is in crisis and in need of immediate emergency support, call 911 (9-911 from campus phone).

  • 988 Emergency Services: An easier and quicker way to call/text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The current Lifeline phone number (1.800.273.8255) remains available. Call or text 988.
  • Crisis Text Line: Access support through this volunteer-run text support line without speaking on the phone. Text ‘HOME’ to 741741.
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: For immediate support around issues of power and control in intimate relationships. Call 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) / Text ‘START’ to 88788.
  • The Trevor Project: An LGBTQ+ centered line offering volunteer support via phone or text. Call 1.866.488.7386 / Text ‘START’ to 678678.