03/11/2025
Mental Health Is Real!
When both my husband and my son were hospitalized just days apart, my world turned upside down. I was totally deprived of sleep—watching my husband suffer helplessly in the ICU while worrying about my son with autism, who needed me too. I couldn’t be in two places at once.
Days passed without sleep. My heart pounded furiously, my head spun and ached. I began to lose myself, thinking of ending it all—a rope, jumping on a building—anything to escape the pain. My family was terrified as I drifted away from reality.
Then came a whisper that pulled me back:
“Mommy, I love you! Please stand up.”
Those words from my son pierced my heart and woke me up. His hug reminded me—I was not alone. I brought him into this world, and I couldn’t abandon him.
To my friends and relatives who stood by me—thank you for listening, for comforting me when I needed it most. Maybe that’s why I’ve learned to listen deeply to my student’s pain, to calm their hearts and remind them they matter.
I remember Emman Atienza—a 19 year old girl, with mental health problem, gone too soon—who taught us kindness, compassion, to protect our children from cyber bullying. She taught us to watch out for the red flags of mental health. Her father, Kim Atienza, a well-known TV personality who believed that her daughter, who seem so vibrant, outspoken, a mental health advocate but ended her life due to excruciating pain and inner struggle. Her story touched and changed many lives.
When my son was diagnosed with autism, I made a promise to protect him. I stopped hiring nannies after learning one had verbally abused him. Once, he swallowed a hook that got caught in his face—I will never forget that pain. From then on, I vowed no one would ever hurt him again.
People may never understand why children with autism behave the way they do. Some call them spoiled or undisciplined. But in truth, they live in a world that feels too loud, too bright, too harsh. Every New Year, while others watched fireworks, we hid under the blankets, holding each other tight, shielding his ears from the noise.
They are sensitive—not weak. They feel everything deeply, especially bullying and humiliation.
💛 Let’s show kindness—to our children, our families, our neighbors, even our online friends.
Because sometimes, your words may be the only ones that can save someone’s life.
Images-Ctto (Pinterest)
November 2, 2025
