Blue Cross Blue Shield -The State of Mind 2025: A Return to Myself
I wasn’t sure what to anticipate when I chose to attend the State of Mind Mental Health Conference. My only goal was to show support for mental health advocacy and to prioritize my self-care.
Mental health has been a deeply personal journey for me, marked by years of silent battles with depression, anxiety, and overwhelming times when I felt I couldn’t hold myself together. My path to healing has been non-linear; I am still learning, growing, and evolving. Despite this, I’m proud of the progress I’ve made, the tools I’ve gained, and the community that’s supported me. When I heard about this conference, my instinctive response was: Go.
The first session I attended upon arrival emphasized building connection and hope amid division. It pointed out that greater disconnection from others and us can harm our mental health. However, when we come together, remember our common humanity, and treat each other with kindness, we create a sense of belonging. This feeling of belonging then encourages healing.
Belonging says:
You matter.
You’re not alone.
You are allowed to take up space just as you are.
After the session, an awards ceremony celebrated leaders fostering safe, supportive environments, including for youth. The youth's stories resonated deeply with me. A young leader shared her experience of being bullied for being different and explained how she turned that pain into a purpose by launching an anti-bullying campaign at her school. Hearing her, I was reminded of my own past feeling misunderstood, unseen, or diminished just for simply being myself. Yet, alongside that memory, I also felt hope seeing her stand in her truth and choose to love regardless.
That reflects bravery, healing, and compassion.
Later that day, I took part in a volunteer breakout session assembling hygiene kits for community members affected by recent storms. This quiet, purposeful act of giving created a sense of grounding. It was simple, human, and filled with kindness.
The conference concluded with a session on Thriving Through Self-Trust, and that idea stayed with me.
The speaker highlighted that thriving isn’t defined by our achievements or appearances, but by trusting ourselves deeply. It emphasizes being human-centered, compassionate, and aligned with our values. Success involves taking small, deliberate steps rather than huge leaps. It also means honoring our needs and listening to our inner voice, even amidst external noise.
When we trust ourselves, we tend to move more gently and allow ourselves space to breathe. We come to understand that our worth isn't based on our actions, but on our true selves.
I left the conference feeling open, relaxed, curious, and grounded. I was proud of my progress, felt acknowledged, and was reminded of important truths.
Healing is a continuous journey, not a final endpoint, and we walk it step by gentle step.
Sometimes, the most healing act is allowing ourselves to be supported by community, purpose, hope, or personal growth.
Afterwards, I enjoyed some pizza along with a glass of wine, because progress also warrants celebration.
Always dreaming,
Deja 🤍
