Ways to Reach Tori
Instagram: @tori.waunn
Email: tori.waunn@gmail.com
About Tori
T: I enjoy playing softball, reading, and listening to music.
Mental Health
HS: Describe your mental health experience
T: When I was 13, I went to therapy for the first time. I was feeling very stressed due to some things that were going on in my life. I also felt so anxious around people- my hands would shake and I would stutter and my heart would beat so fast. Therapy helped me deal with the hardships in my life. I learned how to calm down when I felt nervous and not to let things like anxiety or bad situations have power over me. I wasn’t diagnosed with anything, but therapy has been a huge help to me. During quarantine, my mental health started to get even worse. I began staying in my bed all day and I felt numb. I returned to therapy and my therapist helped me find the motivation to be productive and feel happy. The thing that has had the biggest effect on my mental health is softball. Some of my past coaches told me really harsh things and I felt a lot of pressure to do well. There were many days where I cried on the way home from practice and replayed their words in my head. I even started having panic attacks at practice where I felt like I couldn’t breathe. Although mental health is still a struggle for me, I think I am doing better. I am less nervous when I talk to people and I am so proud of my progress. In terms of softball, I now feel a lot safer and more relaxed when I go to practice. I know that my current coaches and teammates have my back and I actually enjoy playing again. Some days are harder than others, but I always try to make the best out of it.
HS: If you yourself suffer from a mental illness, how do you deal with it each day? What are some of the
methods you use
T: I go to therapy anywhere between once a week to once a month, depending on how things are going in my life. It’s good to talk about my life with someone, even if I am doing alright, just to stay on the right track. I also tell my family and friends about how I’m feeling and they always help me feel better.
HS: Why are you or why do you want to be an advocate for mental health?
T: I want to be an advocate for mental health because I think it’s really important. Most people only focus on their physical health, and as much as that’s important, mental health is too. In fact, poor mental health can cause physical health issues, such as heart disease and diabetes. I think that people need to value their mental well-being just as much as they value their physical well-being. Mental health is also such a taboo subject, and I want to help more people understand it and become more comfortable talking about it.
HS: How are you trying to end the stigma of mental health?
T: I am trying to end the stigma of mental health by having open conversations about it with my friends and family. I ask them how they’re doing and I do my best to be a good listener when they share their struggles with me.
HS: Why should mental health be talked about within the community?
T: I think mental health should be talked about more in the community because so many people struggle with it. Not many people talk about it, so you might be surprised how many people you know have mental health issues. There are also many misconceptions about mental health. Many people think that those with mental illnesses are “crazy”, which isn’t the case. They are just dealing with difficult symptoms, just like many people with physical illnesses are.
HS: What are other resources you use to learn more about mental health?
T: I learn a lot about mental health from books. I’ve read many novels about characters with mental health issues, and it gives me a lot of insight into different struggles with mental health. My biggest resource would be my friends because they give me a lot of insight into the things they’re dealing with. They’ve taught me that there are so many more symptoms of mental health issues than I originally thought and that everyone copes in different ways. Their stories have helped me understand more about different issues.
HS: If you yourself don't suffer from mental health issues but know someone who does, how do you help them to fight their battles?
T: If one of my friends is struggling with mental health issues, I do my best to be a good listener for them. I want them to feel comfortable sharing their stories with me. I also encourage them and tell them that even if things are hard, they will get through it. I let them know that I am always here to support them.
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