Break the Silence - Thi Santos

My name is Thi and I have been battling with anxiety, depression and complex PTSD since childhood. But of course life didn’t stop there.

Since I was a child, I grew up in the system (Orphanages/foster care) so obviously my life revolved around negativity, instability and challenges; both mentally and physically.

Emotionally, I was scarred deeply by the impact of having to experience many hardships of life. 

I have lived through many experiences of life and by that I mean, from childhood I was raped, emotionally and physically abused, bullied, lived out on the streets, became a mum at the age of 16, had a drug and alcohol addiction, self-harmed, sold my body for money to get by, attempted to commit suicide several times but failed, pretty much anything you can think of, you name it.

I have never really had the chance to experience what childhood is supposed to be nor did I have the chance to experience my teenage years or young adulthood.

And of course through it all, I silenced myself. Now being at the age of 27 years of age, I have only just begun to accept my past as is openly to society and being proud of the struggles I’ve had to battle.

Not only am I embracing my struggles with mental health but I am also embracing the walks of life that many have endured but are afraid to speak of.

By speaking up about my own history, I hope to encourage others to do so.

For now, I write quotes provided with a back-story as to what resembles with the written quote. However, whilst doing so, an idea to create my own business came to plan and that is how I established “More Than Just Labels”

At the moment besides writing quotes, I am currently writing a book (soon to be launched) and working on my second, working on being a keynote speaker and in plans of building my business in relations to mental health.

My business mission is:

To increase awareness of mental health through education.

My Motto:

Don’t let the labels wear you because you are More Than Just Labels. – Thi Santos

Find your voice, Own It & Speak up. Break the silence. - Thi Santos

Contact:

https://www.facebook.com/morethanjustlabels/

The history behind "More Than Just Labels" was established in May 2017 when I decided it was time to break free from the shackles of labels that weighed down quite heavily on my mind, body and soul; I allowed myself to be defined by the labels that society had pinned on me.

I was living a lifestyle that wasn't mine. I was living a life filled with peoples’ expectations and labels. I was living life to fulfill their expectations, and not mine.

I was tired of being a prisoner of society, I was tired of blending into the crowd. And I was tired of limiting myself because I allowed my labels to wear me. Earlier this year, I had hit the pause button and reflected all my struggles from childhood to now and somehow through the storm, I found myself.

I found my purpose. Most importantly, I found my peace within.

I will rise, and I will rise a thousand times even if it means going through all the painful storms to get where I am. Be your own hero.

- Thi Santos