Open Letter of Solidarity & Understanding
“Dear Mitchell,
Hey there. I see you.
Those moments when the world feels overwhelming, when your inner voice gets loud, when doubt tries to silence your truth - I want you to know: We believe you.
As a fellow traveler navigating the complex intersections of mental health, identity, and healing, I understand how isolating schizoaffective disorder can feel - especially within our African American community where mental health conversations are often shrouded in silence and misunderstanding.
Invisible Battle
Let’s be real. When your own family struggles to understand what you’re experiencing, the pain cuts deeper than any clinical description could capture. Those whispers - “Nothing’s wrong with you” - they’re not just dismissive. They’re a form of erasure that can make you question your own reality.
But your experience is valid. Your struggle is real. And your journey matters.
What They Don’t See
In our community, there’s this unspoken expectation of strength. Be tough. Push through. But mental health isn’t about weakness - it’s about incredible resilience. It takes profound courage to name what you’re experiencing, to seek help, to continue showing up even when the world feels chaotic.
Your schizoaffective disorder doesn’t define you. It’s just one part of your incredibly complex, beautiful human experience.
Message of Solidarity
To my brother Mitchell:
Your sensitivity is not weakness
Your struggles are not failures
Your journey is not a burden
We believe you.
When the world feels like it’s spinning too fast, when your relatives’ disbelief feels suffocating, when the diagnosis feels like a heavy weight - breathe. You are more than your diagnosis. You are a warrior, a survivor, a profound human being navigating an incredibly complex internal landscape.
Cultural Context Matters
In the African American community, mental health has been historically misunderstood. Generational trauma, systemic challenges, and cultural narratives have often silenced our most vulnerable voices. But you are breaking those cycles. By showing up. By speaking your truth.
Radical Act of Healing
Seeking help is not just personal - it’s revolutionary. Every step you take towards understanding yourself is an act of profound self-love and community healing.
Remember: Your worth is not determined by others’ understanding. You are valuable. You are loved. You are believed.
Stay curious. Stay humble. Stay connected.
With deep respect and solidarity,
-Mitch Leyor + Prism Church LA
P.S. Those moments when you feel small? They’re lies. Your journey is valid. Your experience matters. We believe you.”