"A Person is Bigger Than Their Illness": Gabriella’s Journey with Caregiving and Mental Health

Meet Gabriella, a psychology student who is passionate about understanding people, supporting her community, and embracing new experiences. With a strong interest in child psychology and development, she hopes to pursue a career supporting children and families. Having explored 15 countries, her travels have strengthened her curiosity about different cultures and ways of life. Outside of her studies, she enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, and making memories with family and friends.

Recently, Gabriella sat down with us to share her deeply personal journey with mental health and the invisible weight of caregiving.  

A Shifting Perspective on Mental Health

Over the years, Gabriella's relationship with her own well-being has shifted dramatically. "I would describe my relationship with my mental health today as much more intentional and proactive," she explains. "A few years ago, I viewed mental health as something you paid attention to only when something was wrong". 

Now, she approaches her well-being with a preventative mindset. "I see it as something that requires ongoing care, just like physical health," she notes. By actively recognizing the habits and routines that support her, she feels much more equipped to navigate life's inevitable stressors and uncertainties.  

The Invisible Weight of Caregiving

A common misconception about anxiety is that it only stems from your own life experiences. "For me, a lot of my anxiety has come from worrying about the people I love," Gabriella shares. She has navigated family health scares, surgeries, and the agonizing wait for test results. The true struggle was often the fear, anticipation, and lack of control that accompanied these medical events.

She highlights how overwhelming it can be to watch a loved one go through something difficult while trying to remain strong for everyone else. During these heavy seasons, she realized that pity was never what she needed. 

"When conversations turned toward chemotherapy, surgeries, or health concerns, I often found that what helped most wasn't people feeling sorry for me," she recalls. "It was people listening, treating me normally, and allowing me to talk about what was going on without making it the only thing they saw when they looked at me".  

Turning Anxiety into Movement

Anticipating the next piece of medical news constantly left Gabriella on edge. Knowing that mental health conditions run in her family, she intentionally sought a healthy coping mechanism rather than turning to substances, which ultimately led her to running.  

"What started as a way to manage stress quickly became something much more meaningful," she says. "Running gave me mental clarity. It allowed me to step away from my thoughts for a while and focus on something tangible". 

Time spent outdoors also helped her reconnect with fond memories of her nature-loving grandfather, bringing her peace during uncertain times. Through running, she learned a vital lesson: she could not control everything around her, but she could completely control how she responded to it. 

Daily Tools and Authentic Support

When life feels heavy, Gabriella returns to the basics: sleep, movement, nutrition, time outdoors, and connecting with people she trusts. Small, consistent habits like reading, journaling, baking, and stepping away from social media help her regain perspective.  

When it comes to support from others, Gabriella found that the most meaningful help came from her mother, who listened without trying to immediately fix the situation. "Sometimes knowing that someone is willing to sit with you through uncertainty is far more valuable than receiving a solution," she reflects.

Conversely, well-intentioned comments like "just stay positive" can often make people feel unheard. "When someone is going through a difficult experience, they often need validation before they need solutions," she advises.  

Advice to Her Younger Self

Growing up witnessing family members navigate Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, and OCD, Gabriella used to believe that excessive worry could protect the people she loved. Today, her advice to her younger self is simple but profound: "I would tell myself that worrying is not the same thing as helping".

She would remind herself that it is perfectly okay to enjoy life, laugh, and be present in happy moments without carrying the weight of every possible outcome. Reflecting on her grandmother's battle with Alzheimer's, she emphasizes that the disease cannot erase their shared memories.

"A person's life is so much bigger than their illness, and that even when circumstances change, love and connection remain," she says. 

The Mind & Brain Student Network BC operates as a safe space for students to voice their struggles and build an inclusive community. We extend our sincere gratitude to Gabriella for sharing her vulnerable story. Remember that your feelings are valid, you are not alone, and support is always here.  

Written by Cindy Wang & Clara Suh

Members of Mind & Brain Student Network BC