As a child, I exuded enthusiasm. I excelled academically and immersed myself in pageants, quiz bees, and speech contests. I naturally gravitated towards leadership roles, journalism, and music. I embodied a multitude of identities, each brimming with promise and potential. However, the onset of the pandemic dealt a severe blow to my well-being. My mental health spiraled downward, plunging me into a state of despair.
Various factors contributed to my struggles—whether genetic predisposition, environmental influences, faith, social isolation, exercise habits, diet, or a combination thereof. Whatever the cause, it shattered me, culminating in a clinical diagnosis: Bipolar Disorder 2. Consequently, I faltered in my rigorous premed studies in Medical Laboratory Science. Seeking solace and support, I transitioned to AB Psychology, only to be forced to leave after a semester due to ongoing illness. I found myself in crisis, grappling with suicidal thoughts.
Despite being surrounded by love, I felt undeserving and worthless, burdened by the repercussions of my choices. Following a failed suicide attempt, I turned to Reddit for guidance. There, amidst anonymity, I poured out my heart, recounting my struggles and setbacks. In a serendipitous turn of events, a compassionate stranger approached me from Luzon, offering to send me unused crochet materials and a jigsaw puzzle. Despite being miles apart, her empathetic gesture touched me deeply.
Taking a leave of absence from school, I embarked on a healing journey. With my brother, I pieced together the jigsaw puzzle sent by the kind stranger. It became more than just a pastime; it served as a metaphor for reconstructing my shattered self.
With each piece that fit into place, I felt a glimmer of hope—the hope that one day, like the completed puzzle, I, too, would find wholeness and be able to say, “So am I.”
Connect with Quisha Latiban: latibanquisha@gmail.com
