DESIRED OUTCOMES

What I'm hoping people take away from this

THERE IS NO SINGULAR ALL-ENCOMPASSING "MINORITY EXPERIENCE"

At no point during the interview process did I tell the participants how to answer the questions I asked. I encouraged each person to be as open as they could within their comfort level. Through listening to these interview topics, you might find two or more conflicting answers and that is 100% fine. No two people are going to have the same exact thoughts on mental illness.

MICROAGGRESSIONS HAVE MORE THAN JUST A TEMPORARY IMPACT

Very often, negative reactions to microaggressions are brushed aside and chalked up to "sensitivity". I want to show through these interviews that microaggressions—especially when repeated—can have a long-lasting impact on a person. No one wants to go through life feeling like the "other".

SEEK HELP AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SEEK HELP

No one should feel alone or feel that they're going to be looked down upon if they don't seek help. Be that support system that someone may be lacking and be the person that encourages them. It is 100% ok to seek help!