Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Barrett.
Hi Brittany, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey to mental health recovery began in 1996. I’m an Atlanta native and began life with my parents and older sister. By the time I reached kindergarten, however, my parents had divorced and my mother experienced her first of several psychotic breaks. For the next eight years, I visited my mother in mental health facilities all across the state. By the time I was an adolescent, I too was exhibiting symptoms of my own mental health conditions.
Following my mom’s suicide when I was 14, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Until I had my first hospitalization at the age of nineteen, I suffered greatly due to my resistance to medication and psychiatric treatment. But once those double doors closed, I was faced with my biggest fear: wearing the same blue, fuzzy socks my mom had worn for so many years in so many treatment facilities. After 30 days of treatment, I decided to take control of my mental health and turn from mental illness to mental wellness. In the 12 years since my first diagnosis, I’ve done everything on my power to stick to the treatment plan that works best for me and to advocate for others who struggle with their mental health. I’ve been subsequently hospitalized, as well, but I know now that there is light at the end of the tunnel when I experience a mental health setback.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road was very rocky for me as a child. Not only did I not understand the conditions my mother was suffering with, but I did not know that many of the issues I was experiencing were also due to mental health conditions. I never talked to anyone about my mom or my own problems, but instead, I walled myself off in silence. I struggled the most in the five years after my mother’s suicide until I began to receive consistent treatment for myself. My mood swings were frequent and unpredictable- varying from deep depression and suicidal ideations to extreme mania were I did not sleep for days and was the life of the party. My life was a rollercoaster in those years. My grades declined, I lost jobs, and I eventually dropped out of college due to the uncontrollability of my life. Once I began to receive the necessary treatment, my biggest obstacle has been to monitor my symptoms and notify my healthcare providers of any harmful changes as soon as possible. Creating and maintaining relationships is another difficulty I’ve encountered, so I have to be deliberate and intentional in fostering the connections I make.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a public speaker, mental health educator, and peer advocate. My mission is to provide a voice for those who feel alone in mental illness or recovery, just as I did as a child, adolescent, and young adult. I hold two degrees in clinical mental health services, as well as several certification in suicide prevention and mental health first aid. I’ve partnered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Georgia and the Georgia Public Safety Training Center to provide mental health awareness and crisis intervention trainings statewide to over 5,000 students, teachers, families, legislatures, police officers, and first responders. I pride myself on having a uniquely unbiased method to my sharing, whereas I use humor and honest discussion to assuage any discomfort from my audience.
I would say I’m most proud that I have stayed in this life, even when I wanted nothing more than to end my pain. Remaining here allows me to advocate for change, reform, and care for those struggling with their mental health.
What makes you happy?
It’s simple things that bring me the most happiness: delicious food, laughing until it hurts, and coming home to my loving, supportive husband, Jeff, and our two rescue dogs, Odie & Daisy, and the boss of our home, our cat, Gypsy. Relaxing in my own space with a good true crime documentary really speaks to my soul! I find joy in meeting new people and having them see themselves in my journey and understanding that there is hope. Traveling abroad and experiencing other cultures are right up near the top, too.
Contact Info:
- Email: brittanysweatman@yahoo.com
- Instagram: barrett_brittany
