Thread by @DisInHigherEd

1/ Thread: This thread will discuss my journey into mental health, disability, and DEI advocacy in higher academia: it started because struggling with my mental illnesses as a Latina in a STEM degree felt alienating.

2/ Per my last thread: many marginalized folks involved with advocacy in academia speak out and do extra work because of traumatic experiences. For me, I needed an outlet. I pursued self-advocacy and advocacy to stay in my field and higher education.

3/ I also speak out to normalize mental illness and bringing awareness that disabled people deserve a seat at the table with DEI initiatives. Higher education was not built with mental health and disability in mind.

4/ We must make higher education accessible for Disabled folks and those who struggle with mental health.

5/ We also must acknowledge the intersections of Disability, Mental Health, and BIPOC communities. Not doing so is a disservice to Black and Brown people who identify with these. This is a huge reason why @nolan_syreeta and I co-found @DisMHMatters – to create a safe space.

6/ Being vulnerable did not happen over time. It was scary. It felt raw. It was overwhelming. I slowly opened up over time. As time passed, I would receive messages of thanks and encouragement. All I wanted to do was to assure folks that they are not alone.

7/ I was not expecting to find such a rich and accepting community of people who love deeply, support wholeheartedly, and validate confidently. From being alone in the dark, I found lifelong friends through hashtags like #DisInHigherEd #DisabledInSTEM #AcademicMentalHealth, etc.

8/ What went from standing up for myself to doctors, folks in higher education and the institution for the sake of my survival in Geosciences and academia changed my entire life for the better. However, I want to be candid...

9/ Advocacy is exhausting. There is a lot behind it now that there is context. A lot of us are doing our advocacy work in our spare time – when there should be rest and self-care – and it is oftentimes uncompensated labor.

10/ There has been a lot of joy. However, in the process, I oftentimes revisit trauma. It wasn’t until quite recently when someone told me that I am a ‘survivor.’ When first told this – I almost didn’t want to come to terms with it, but they were right.

11/ No one deserves to experience stigma, ableism, and discrimination of any kind. My hope in my work is that I prevent this from happening to anyone. But the system is working exactly as it was intending to work – it was not built for BIPOC, Disabled, marginalized communities.

12/ I used to believe lies: that I was not ready for graduate school, that I would not get into a competitive program. I did it. I am living my ancestors’ wildest dreams. If I can make it here despite climbing all these mountains that seemed insurmountable, I know others can too.

13/ CW: suicide
What was once a seed has blossomed into something beautiful. Three years ago, I wanted a way out and now… I am living the life I once could not imagine living. That is a victory for me.

14/ As my experiences as a Latina, mental health, mental illness, and disability are taboo topics. Therapy and treatment are just not normalized, and oftentimes looked down upon. The term ‘suck it up and keep going’ is and has been common.

15/ But people need to understand this: BIPOC Disabled folks are oftentimes overlooked and experience stigma, ableism in their own communities along with stigma, ableism, and racism outside too... It's a lot and it is not discussed nearly enough.

16/ Sometimes we yell from the rooftops only for folks to continue to ignore us. We pour our hearts into advocacy only to be told that we aren’t doing enough. My father’s words are true: even we work 2x harder and it oftentimes is still not 'enough.'

17/ If anything you get from this thread, please understand this: Listen to BIPOC Disabled people, amplify us, our communities, our stories, our experiences. We are here. /End