Gemma Garcia

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT GEMMA GARCIA

I am passionate about mental health, and a fierce advocate for mental illness and those living with it. Having been diagnosed with bipolar I disorder at the age of 27, I embarked on a journey of loss, acceptance, discovery by trial and error, and above all, love. Since then, I have made it my personal mission to help those starting similar journeys, in hopes that we can all learn to love and care for ourselves as best as possible, and to understand that there is nothing wrong with caring for our brains and psyches as we care for the rest of our bodies. Aside from being an MSW candidate, I also run a small Instagram community dedicated to those who need a hand starting their journey post diagnosis (and everyone else too, really). You may find me at @thegemmaisabell. In my early years of working in the mental health space, I worked in the suicide prevention program at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas, aiding soon-to-be deployed and recently returned soldiers in recognizing the signs of suicidal behavior in themselves and their peers to help combat suicides in the armed forces. I believe that helping these brave men and women understand that it is more than ok to seek out help when they are feeling affected by their experiences has been one of the most important roles I\'ve ever been in. In the near future, it is my goal to be a therapist as well as a mental health coach to aid those fighting invisible battles every day so they may live their lives to the fullest.