Suzanne’s Superpower
Content warning: this story talks about suicide and suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you know needs help, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 000 if it’s an emergency.
‘I go by the motto. Just do it. Every day that’s what I’m thinking, just do it.’
Suzanne Dang, 34, is a mental health advocate and motivational speaker.
She works full time in government as a Mental Health Peer Worker.
She has a website, a YouTube channel and 5 different Instagram pages that cover art, fashion, cooking and even her cat.
She has also made a short film, A Letter To My Younger Self, for the Focus on Ability Short Film Festival. This film is honest and strong and talks about domestic violence, sexual abuse and mental health.
Suzanne lives a full and creative life, but it hasn’t always been this way. Her journey to get here has often been dark and, at times, difficult. She has Bipolar Disorder Type 1.
Suzanne says, ‘I didn’t understand what mental illness meant until I was 19 years old. I struggled with my mental health, self-esteem and confidence.’
‘I remember I was going through a psychotic episode. I was having hallucinations, both audio and visual. I remember calling the ambulance because I was also quite suicidal.’
‘The ambulance came and I didn’t open the door.’
‘So the police were called. When they came, my grandma woke up and she said, “what’s going on? Why are the ambulance and police here?” The next thing I know, I was in the mental health emergency ward.’
‘I was in a locked ward, and I waited there for hours and hours to see a doctor. Finally they admitted me into the psychiatric ward. It was my first psychiatric admission.’
‘I ended up being in hospital for 3 months,’ Suzanne said.
‘Fast forward a couple of years. I found myself at a mental health rehab. I stayed there for almost 2 years. I learned how to deal with my voices, how to budget, how to cook, clean. And then I moved into social housing.’
‘I’m now in a private rental. Things are looking great!’
‘The beginning was really hard, but I finally found my faith in this mental health journey. I can now share my story and not just focus on the traumatic side of things. I’m focused on hope and becoming more emotionally resilient.’
One of the main ways Suzanne gives back is through her work in social media.
‘I have a YouTube channel and have shared some of my most vulnerable moments on there’, says Suzanne.
Her YouTube channel is filled with content to help people who may be struggling with mental illness.
There are videos aimed at breaking down stigma around mental health and supporting people who may be struggling.
Suzanne’s positive approach stems from her mindset that bipolar disorder is not an impediment. It’s the secret to her inner strength and positive outlook.
‘Bipolar disorder is my super superpower!’
‘The hardest part of having bipolar disorder is the medications.
‘I’m learning to meditate each morning. A person may have the same diagnosis as me, but we are very different. I love Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.’
Suzanne’s positive outlook and her drive are evident in the things she does, including cooking and fashion.
‘I love to cook mainly Asian food. I have an Instagram page for my cooking and baking. I also have a fashion blog. I’ve been into fashion since 2013. I love going to events and being part of the action.’
‘I’m a walking business card! When I meet someone new, I say, “hi, I’m Suzanne. I’m a fashion blogger and have a lived experience of bipolar.
‘My little spiel is to introduce myself like that. I want to make a lasting impact, showing that someone like me can be at these events and talk about mental health in a positive way.’
“I try to break the stigma around bipolar disorder.”