Jess Grimwood is a fighter. In this incredibly candid portrait, the former QS competitor details her struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder, an inner conflict that pushed her to try to take her own life in a hotel room in Los Angeles.
Since, Jess has rediscovered her first love, the ocean, which has played a crucial role in her recovery.
“Mental illness affects 1 in 5 Australians aged between 16-85, with more than half of those people not seeking any help or treatment,” reads the video’s description. The numbers are about the same stateside. “The stigma of mental illness needs to be eradicated,” the text continues. “Speak up before it’s too late, because it’s ok to not be ok.”
Depression, PTSD, and other similar debilitating mental illnesses can make the sufferer feel trapped, alone. If Jess Grimwood’s testimony is any indication, if you suffer from mental illness, you are not alone.
Here are a few more perspectives on how others have overcome battles with mental illness:
From Starved to Stoked: How Surfing Saved My Life
A Story About Surfing, Depression, and the Need for Identity
