“At 28 years old, I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. For 28 years, I had been living with a thing that I could not put a name to. A thing that I genuinely thought was just a part of who I was. Something that defined a huge part of my personality. Something that I would live with for the rest of my life. I would wake up with a pressure in my chest and my heart racing every single morning. Walking into a room full of people was a nightmare, and I always walked away from a conversation feeling like no one truly knew who I was.
I was at a point in my life where there were more downs than ups, and I made the decision to ask for help, not knowing that that decision would change my life forever. I heard the doctor give me my diagnosis, but seeing it in writing made it real. And once it was real, that meant I could overcome it. And that's really where my story began…”

I posted that on Facebook on November 30, 2017. I was 28 and terrified to share such a vulnerable part of myself. Would anyone understand? I was also naive as hell. I used words like “overcome” and thought that what worked for me would also work for others.

The messages were pouring in, and I was feeling ill-equipped to have these conversations as people shared with me their pain and the endless cycle of meds, therapy, inpatient, rinse, repeat. Oh, I was lucky. Mental health care is flawed and complicated.

But being there for each other isn’t.

I remember sitting in the audience at my cousin’s performance with Of Moving Colors, where they had interviewed the mayor and choreographed her story for this performance.

Wow. Her story, told beautifully through movement.

Can we do this?

The following day, I designed a logo for the You ARen’T Alone Live Art Event (hence the name, which is not exactly grammatically correct and difficult to remember). Once again, I took to social media and asked if anyone would be interested in an event where stories of people’s mental health journeys were portrayed through art.

And that's really where THIS story began…

We held our first Live Art Event on July 26, 2019—more than 40 artists, hundreds of attendees, and advocates. We also announced that we were officially a 501(c)(3) nonprofit after getting our letter from the IRS just days before.

Six years and 5 Live Art Events later…I am in constant awe of what our community has been able to create. I envisioned an event that I needed at so many points in my life, and you all brought it to life.

Friday night was magic in human form. So many of you came to me to say how moved you were by the artists. So many of you came to me to say how important this was as an artist. So many tears, smiles, goosebumps, untethered emotions. I still struggle to put into words what this event means. I struggle to fully express my gratitude for everyone who has been a part of it. Know this, I see every single one of you and you are goddamn beautiful.

With so much love,
Chelsea Borruano, YAAP Founder & Executive Director

You Aren’t alone. You are powerful beyond measure.

Women’s History Month

Subscribe