When Jordyn Dunlap’s six-year relationship ended, she went through a whirlwind of emotions that led to her attempting to commit suicide. Her own battle and journey to wholeness inspired her to create iLive The Movement.
Dunlap is a full-time student and part-time news reporter in Ohio. Her non-profit organization is dedicated to promoting positive mental health and serves as a platform of support for those who’ve continued on despite their mental illness. Through their story telling, wellness tips and blog posts, iLive The Movement strives to help change the narrative and break the stigma that society has placed on our mental health.
“The only way to change the way mental health is perceived is to talk about it.”
“God used me as a vessel to create this platform,” says Dunlap. “iLive The Movement is not an Ohio thing [or] a Jordyn thing, it’s for people who have suffered with mental illness.”
According to Nami.org, African-Americans are 20 percent more likely to experience serious mental health problems than other ethnicities. Unfortunately, many factors contribute to African-Americans deciding not to seek professional help for mental illness such as: health insurance, religious beliefs, lack of knowledge and pride. Many opt out of seeking help due to fear of judgment and being viewed as “crazy” or “weak.”
Dunlap opens up about her experience.
“I had to legally seek a psychiatrist when I got out of the psychiatric hospital,” she explains. “I tell my therapist all the time, ‘From the first day I met her, I was just so mean and I was so rude to her.’ She would ask me questions like, ‘Who are you?’ and I’m like ‘Why?’ I was just so rude to her.”
Despite how Dunlap first felt about the therapy sessions, she credits her therapist, family and the Lord for her growth.
”The girl who attempted suicide, she did die”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BeIsU13AD2v/?taken-by=iamjordyndunlap_
The journey to healing and forgiving yourself may be a long one, but it is important. You don’t want to walk into a new situation with burdens from your past.
“If you constantly replay and create the same cycles, you’re not going to get a different outcome,” Dunlap explains. “I’m not dating currently, but if I was to step into [my next relationship] with all the baggage and all the wounds of my past, that relationship is bound to be corrupt, and to crash and to burn.”
“I know everyone has their own beliefs, but no healing is found apart from the lord. Healing is a choice and not healing is a choice. Choosing not to heal is a damaging pattern.”
There was a time when Dunlap was surprised people from different states were reaching out to share their personal battles on the site. But the endless submissions (she has plenty lined up for the next months to come) shows that people no longer want to be silent about this issue in our community.
“I feel like the more people are transparent and the more people that actually share, it’s just becoming kind of like a domino effect in a positive way,” she explains. “For me, one of the things I struggled with is perfectionism. We all strive to be this perfect girl, with this perfect hair, and this perfect life but that does not exist, that’s unattainable.”
” I think the more people open up and are real about their struggles and their journeys, that’s kind of been the way that is beginning to cultivate change within our society.”
It’s hard not to struggle with perfectionism when we live in an era where social media dictates everything.
“Social media dictates beauty, success, relationships, friendships and it’s like social media is literally a false reality,” says Dunlap.
“We see what people want us to see. And that’s kind of why I’m so transparent on social media, because I want people to know: regardless of what I may post, or how you may view me, my life is not perfect.”
If you have a story, you don’t have to be ashamed. Use it to inspire others by submitting it for #survivorsundays. If you’re looking for resources and practical ways to improve your mental health, check out the posts on the official site.
*Photo Credit for feature image: Olivia Kristin Photography*
Jazz Marie 