On Sunday, 16th July 2023, @mamamiaaus published an article I wrote where I, for the very first time, publicly share my positive diagnosis of HSV2 - Herpes Simplex Virus.
After receiving the diagnosis a week before my book launch, my life felt like it came crashing down. Over the following months it got a whole lot worse before it got better, and I have finally reached a place of acceptance. So why am I sharing this with the world?
I know firsthand how much a positive diagnosis for HSV can impact someone’s mental health and I know that suicide often crosses one’s mind after receiving their diagnosis. Enough is enough. We don’t need to lose anymore lives. We don’t need to determine someone’s worth based on their diagnosis. We need to look past all of their layers, HSV or no HSV, and find their heart. That is all that should ever matter.
If I am so passionate about mental health and suicide prevention, then there is no way I can sit on the sidelines and keep quiet about this. I don’t ever want anybody to feel how I felt these past few weeks. From diagnosis to rejection, I don’t want someone to feel like they have to face this alone. So even though herpes broke me, it also built me back up. It showed me that I needed to turn this pain into purpose and use my voice to help advocate for those faced with this challenge.
If this is you, then I am here for you. I am in your corner.
Herpes does not define you.
You are worthy.
You are loved.
You are important.
You matter.
Your world might look different but please remember, you are never alone. I’m going to keep using my voice to break down the stigma surrounding herpes because your mental health is more important than any diagnosis.
Whether herpes is something that affects you or not, I encourage you to read my article through this link.
Believe me when I say, I am only just getting started.
