Stories of Hope: An Interview with Ashanti Cheatham
This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked college student and mental health advocate Ashanti Cheatham about her journey and her current activities. Here’s our interview:
DS: Tell us about when you first started becoming aware of concerns related to your mental health. How did these issues continue to affect you before you sought treatment?
AC: I became more aware of my declining mental health after my first hospitalization. I always had very troubling signs of mental illness but since I was so young it was thought to be more of a neurological problem than a psychological problem.
Before treatment, I was a polite but very shy and nervous young girl. I also had a very difficult time in school. I was placed in Special Education classes. I was afraid of my peers and teachers and I would constantly run out of my class at random moments. It was beginning to be a problem.
DS: What was the turning point that led you to decide to seek help?
AC: It was when I was in the middle of my pre-teen years. I had a psychotic break. I was paranoid of everyone and everything for weeks. It was to the point I was having active hallucinations daily. I heard voices and saw shadows constantly. It was a nightmare.
I was so afraid that I locked myself in the bathroom as a way to escape. It was very concerning to school staff. They had to call an emergency to get me out. I was also making threats of self harm.
My parents were notified and with their permission I was sent to my city’s nearest pediatric emergency room. After a few hours at the ER, I was placed at the Children’s Hospital inpatient behavioral health unit for a few weeks.
DS: What has your treatment and self-care consisted of, and what have you found that has worked well for you?
AC: My treatment is taking medication daily. I also received services through my local mental health clinic. I have had therapy to teach me healthy coping skills and occupational therapy. I received an IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) for school and I received my own case worker. I found many of these services helped me a lot through the years.
DS: How are things going for you now? What challenges are you still facing? What have you learned that has helped you stay positive and healthy?
AC: I am still hallucinating and I still have paranoia. Being in my early 20’s is hard. I am adjusting to new transitions such as school, moving out, keeping a job and a new married life. It’s a lot of stress and change. I think maybe it has caused my disorder to become much more difficult to manage.
But I am not at that point I was years ago. I just received an increase of medication, I continue my therapy and I also talk to my love ones about my struggles. It helps to know someone is there!
DS: You’ve been active in mental health advocacy. Tell us about your involvement in those activities.
AC: I have been very active in mental health advocacy. It helps to get the story out and to defeat the stigma! I have done volunteer work for many organizations. I help with changing laws to make a better mental health system. Also, I even volunteered with children with special needs. I want to build a great experience, help my community, learn more about myself as a person and be there for someone in need.
DS: What would you like to say to encourage others who are still working on their journey of recovery?
AC: We have to take care of ourselves. I know it’s hard to ask for help, maybe terrifying. Don’t let fear take over you. Its okay to say “I need your help.” It’s better to have someone work with you through hard times than to handle it alone. Just know that you are loved!
About Ashanti
I am a college student working on getting a degree in Primary Special Education K-6. I am also a mental health advocate and a person with lived experience. My goal in life is to become a Special Education teacher and to also draw illustrated children’s books! You can reach me through Facebook and Instagram.
Thanks so much to Ashanti for her inspiring story of hope!
Would you like to share your story of hope? I plan to feature more personal accounts like this from time to time on my blog. If you are interested in sharing your story, please notify me via my contact page. Also, please subscribe to my blog and feel free to follow me on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram, “like” my Facebook page, or connect on LinkedIn. Finally, if you enjoyed this post, please share it with a friend. Thanks!