I was born and raised in Turkey. My mom was a nurse, and my dad was an artist. They were the first in their generation to move away from their hometowns and do things differently. While I was growing up, there were only four of us: mom, dad, me, and my older sister. We didn't have a 'family life.' There were a lot of fights. I left for college when I was seventeen. I graduated and got hired by the university. With my job's salary, I made it to San Francisco. That's when everything I knew about myself, my family, my relationships, and all around them changed.
There is this saying: 'It gets worse before it gets better.' It has gotten to a point for me where I was unable to function, including sleeping and eating. With the help of a friend, I made it to the school and told N. and J. that 'I couldn't do it.' I remember it so vividly sitting in between them and crying my heart out while they looked me in the eye and said: G., you are more important than any of it.
It was evident that I needed help. That day, they took me to D., who helped me find Westside Community Services. Everything that happened after that was because I reached out. It took me a long time to get there and make a simple call, not only the first time but every time. When J. at school told me that if I had a doctor's report, I could stay in the country without continuing school, I asked: 'but who would know about it?'
The most significant barrier to reaching out is not the lack of help but the fear of stigma.
Whoever out there worries about being stigmatized, especially at work, or losing their job, which is the most common reason for people not seeking help and, as a result, not reaching out, you are not alone.
I hope this film will help some people take a step or two toward reaching out.