Continuing healing

By: Sofia Jimenez

Most students have their own share of stress, anxiety and more. Not having stability and support can make students feel overwhelmed like in the case of Jade Gonzalez Mendoza, a student at Yerba Buena High School. 

Gonzales Mendoza , who went through struggles including the psych ward, is now on her healing journey and building strength after being in there.

Over the course of her teenage years, Gonzales Mendoza has endured family and personal issues. Throughout all of these challenges in her life, Gonzales Mendoza only had mainly herself. She developed an addiction which made her crave more and more out of the addiction. This led her  to be in the psych ward to get the support she needed. 

While being there, Gonzales Mendoza felt alone. Being solitary during hard times in the psych ward can be very difficult. “ Hardest part is not being able to control my thoughts when I'm in there and not being around people I know just ugh I don't know makes it worse.” She said  not having her loved ones there did not give Gonzales Mendoza that support she needed and made it worse.

Furthermore, she started adapting and finding her ways to deal with being in the psych ward. She got closer with staff who supported her and were there for her. Creating relationships with the staff enabled her to get a sense of support. “ They were very understanding and nice.” she said. Also  Activities like reading books and drawing helped her get those thoughts out of her head.  Lastly, something nice she enjoyed that helped her was calling her loved ones. During her time in the psych ward she called her mom, family friends, friends mom and sister.  Hearing familiar voices gave that sense of comfort. 

Getting out of the psych ward was a fresh start for Gonzales Mendoza. Gonzales Mendoza started at Yerba Buena high school where she got to meet new people, made new friends and settled into a new environment. This all felt healthy to Gonzales Mendoza. 

Now as life progresses, Gonzales Mendoza is healing from everything she went through and going through fresh starts. Looking into the future and creating a plan for herself gives a sense of something to look forward to. “Going to college and studying to be a medical examiner or lawyer.” She said.