Hello, my name is Alma Felix. I currently work in the call center at Segal Trials, an institute dedicated to researching potential new medications for mental illness and women’s health. I am a wife, mother of five children, as well as a grandmother to two beautiful girls. I was born and raised in Racine, Wisconsin and moved to Miami just three years ago. I am out-going and big-hearted. Since personally dealing with mental illness, I have dedicated myself to helping those in need.
From the outside, I am just like any other person you may know. What you can’t tell by looking at me is the years of abuse I endured from the ages three through 14 years old. Years of physical abuse have left me with depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Additionally, my father was murdered on Christmas day when I was only five years old. My mom had emigrated from Mexico and was unaware of any necessary resources that could help her, my siblings or myself deal with our traumatic events. Unfortunately, in my culture, it was better to keep quiet about these events to avoid being embarrassed or shamed by other family members. After my second nervous breakdown, my mom finally realized that I needed professional help and I began therapy. My real breakthrough happened when I started working; it was an outlet to help me deal with my own traumatic experiences.
This is my story. Everyone has a different story and ways to cope with such traumatic events. The effects from my childhood have carried through my lifetime, and led my dedication to helping those who suffer from mental illness.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) raises awareness, provides free programs for people suffering with mental illness along with advocating for those with mental illness. As part of my awareness building, both within my profession and in my life, I just recently attended the Broward NAMIWalk kick-off luncheon and I’m starting to spread the word about NAMIWalk Broward County, the only fund raiser NAMI Broward has each year which enables them to provide the free programs that help those suffering or have loved ones suffering from mental illness in our community.
Now that you know my story and dedication to mental illness, I am asking for your help in contributing to such an amazing cause. All donations will go directly to NAMI.
Please find it in your heart to donate to NAMI Broward and help us continue to raise awareness and remove the stigma around mental illness.
https://www.namiwalks.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=190229
