Mental Health Awareness Month: Latanya
“I call myself mentally challenged, not ill because I can cope. I can pay my rent. I know how to get along with people, and I have a very good support team. Compared to where I was and where I am today, I’m on the money. I’m on the right path, and it’s beautiful on this side.”
Latanya’s upbringing was surrounded by individuals struggling with addiction. Her mother, who served in the military, faced her own battles with mental health. Latanya shared, “My mom was an alcoholic and an addict. She was a Navy SEAL. The only girl in her platoon. They did things to her, so she did things to cope.”
Mental illness runs in Latanya’s family, and she was diagnosed with various conditions throughout her life. However, recent evaluations indicated that her experiences, including a history of crack cocaine use, have led to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) rather than bipolar disorder. “I went to a different psychiatrist and did a study. It came back different than what other people have told me. Maybe when I was getting high I was bipolar because of crack cocaine, but at this point, they see PTSD because of the situations and lifestyle I’ve lived.”
Her struggles with mental health and addiction lead her to a surviving years on the streets and almost cost her her life. However, in 2019, while residing in a homeless shelter, Latanya’s housing specialist informed her about an opportunity that could transform her life and break the cycle of homelessness. She learned about Muller Residences, a new affordable and supportive housing development in the Bronx by The Doe Fund, and was selected as one of the first tenants.
She was no stranger to The Doe Fund, stating, “Ready, Willing & Able saved my brother’s life. He’s been 20 years clean now. I know the program works if the person wants a better life. It’s all up to the individual. If you want better, you’ll do better.”
And The Doe Fund helped Latanya do better. At Muller Residences, she receives the support she needs to manage her mental health challenges. “I’ve gotten stability, soberness, and consistency from The Doe Fund. I’ve learned to be humble. My faith has gotten outstandingly stronger,” she continued. “I’ve progressed a lot in the two years I’ve lived here, and for once, someone has listened to me and understood me. Someone has seen the positive in me.”
Latanya highlighted the importance of having a strong support system. She advocates for awareness and the well-being of vulnerable individuals in New York City, expressing her frustrations on an incident resulting in Jordan Neely’s death on the subway. She condemned the unacceptable behavior and emphasized the need to remember our shared humanity and the struggles people face. “Even just saying hello to someone can brighten up a person’s day and save a life. What happened to Jordan Neely on the train was unacceptable. That was uncalled for. That was hurtful. I knew that man. People forgot to be human. No one is too far removed from getting into a deep depression. This is a different type of energy going on right now in the world.”
Now, 45 years old, 8 years clean and sober, and recently married, she is grateful for The Doe Fund’s support in keeping her life on track. “I’m grateful for my apartment. It’s a beautiful building with beautiful, respectful staff. I have a job as a cleaner, I learned how to save money, and I’ve maintained housing since I’ve been here,” she told us.
Latanya aspires to become a peer specialist and is currently pursuing online classes. Reflecting on her purpose, she shares, “I pray that I can touch one person. I try to encourage people because I would like someone to encourage me if I were lost. I’m just paying it forward, giving back, and not expecting anything for it. I just do it out of the kindness of my heart.”
She also envisions opening her own cleaning business and a group home for young women who have lost their way or run away from home. Her hope is to provide them with an alternative to turning to the streets, engaging in dangerous activities, and surrounding themselves with negative influences.
When offering advice to those facing mental health challenges, Latanya emphasizes the importance of maintaining hope. “You can’t give up hope because once you give up hope and give up being a human, you’ll stay stuck. You have to breathe, enjoy the fresh air, and take a walk. Imagine something better. You need friends and positive people.”
She added, “You have to stay focused. If you allow your mentality or your addiction to override your life, it’s only going to lead you to death. Wear your bouncing armor on, so that when people say negative stuff, it bounces off. Just take one day at a time. Easy does it.”
