Viral video pushes local woman to advocate for mental health

After a Facebook video went viral locally a woman received backlash for speaking out about mental health.

Now she wants to speak out about the importance of seeking help if you need it.

“We put so much heavy energy on mental health, it’s this thing and this stigma that we don’t want to talk about but it’s healing your brain and an injury to your brain is no different than an injury to your back,” says Shante´ Morgan Anderson.

She made a Facebook Live video after her husband’s backpack was stolen from his truck in a home depot parking lot a month ago.

It was about more than just a backpack.

“Inside of it was some sentimental items from me being in mental health care treatment. Letters I had written home, little art projects and things like that.”

The video went viral locally.

Some people showed support but the video did come with some backlash. She says it was because she decided to speak out.

“It’s very interesting, we stop talking about bullying, we talk about it in regard to middle school and high school kids and then we stop discussing it as if it goes away but it doesn’t. Adult bullying and cyberbullying is a real thing.”

Now, she says she wants to speak out against bullying and advocate for taking mental health seriously.

“You’re not broken, there’s nothing wrong with you, you just need help and you need healing. It’s in a way that isn’t getting the love and attention and mostly the respect that it deserves.”

She hopes by sharing her story others will also seek help if they need it.

Her family has not gotten the backpack back. They hope to someday get those letters back.