Emily Wu Truong’s wardrobe is completely accessorized in lime green.
From handbag to cell phone cover, the 1999 graduate of San Marino High School looks as though she just stepped out of a Peter Max poster from the 1970s.
“I didn’t even know the significance of the lime green ribbon until three years ago. Coincidently, that is the color of my pageant gown I bought 7 years ago,” says the perpetually peppy young lady, whose youthful appearance belies her apparent age.
‘Each Mind Matters,’ California’s Mental Health Movement funded by Prop 63, the Mental Health Services Act, is known for promoting the lime green ribbon for mental health awareness. NAMI is among the many supporting organizations spreading the campaign’s awareness.
‘NAMI,’ for those unaware, stands for National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to assisting the millions of Americans so affected. Emily’s passion for the cause, which she often describes as the Love Revolution, is so overt its mention appears in her very first sentence of our conversation – and for a good reason.
In 2013, Emily experienced several emotional breakdowns, which allowed her to become the stronger person she is today.
“I was crying and recollecting memories from the past,” she said without a wince of regret. “I realized that I was my own worst enemy. I never realized I was engaged in so much negative self-talk. I didn’t know how to validate myself. I couldn’t ‘fake it until I made it.’ Whatever I was feeling would show on my face. I was depressed, and I was beating myself up at the same time. I had believed that perfectionism existed, and there was no room for failure.”
It’s that final point that resonated most strongly with Emily and eventually launched her mission and unleashed her passion.
On July 29, 2013 during a Legislative Briefing on Asian American Mental Health in Rosemead, Emily stated, “I will not end my life because I have a story to share. The more we talk about mental health, the more we will alleviate the stigma. There is no shame. There is no shame.” That day marked the beginning of Emily’s journey of grassroots advocacy to alleviate the stigma of mental health in her community for suicide prevention.
“It’s the myth of perfectionism that contributed to my depression and anxiety,” Emily said. “Perfectionism never existed. It’s actually the opposite of creativity. However, our parents only showed us what they did well. In the Asian culture, saving face is so important. Showing anything less than is considered weakness, and you can’t show weakness. I think that is what keeps many second-generation Asian Americans from speaking out and sharing how they truly feel inside. They want validation from their parents, and if they don’t get it at home, they have to find it somewhere else.”
Emily is quick to declare that she does not blame her parents for her struggles.
“I appreciate them,” she declared. “I know they did the best they could. The subject of mental health was not normalized during their day in Taiwan, so they did not have the tools to help me with my own mental health challenges. So I don’t blame them at all. I’m just glad I’m still alive today. Besides, without them, I would not have been born!”
Emerging from the darkness in 2013, Emily embarked on a personal mission to be a voice for social change and improve the quality of life for the San Gabriel Valley and beyond. She makes upwards of 40 personal and speaking appearances a year, encouraging everyone to let go of perfectionism and know that “with help, there is hope.”
In recognition of Emily’s heartfelt efforts, she has received plaudits from several public officials, including Congresswoman Grace Napolitano and Senator Dr. Ed Hernandez, who honored Emily as ‘Woman of the Year’ in 2015. In October 2015, she also received the Youth & Young Adult Leadership Award at the 29th Annual National Alternatives Conference held in Memphis. She also was invited to speak at a conference last month hosted by Mental Health America of Oregon.
Emily is a board member of NAMI San Gabriel Valley where she serves as vice president of Multicultural Outreach. She also serves as the Chair of the Asian Coalition and is a member of the Client & Family Leadership Committee for the Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission in Sacramento.
As a spokesperson for Each Mind Matters, she is also a freelance motivational speaker and event organizer for providing mental health educational opportunities to the community.
Her husband, Vinh, fully supports Emily’s efforts.
“He didn’t expect my breakdowns, but he has always been supportive of me in finding a job that makes me happy,” she said. “They say that if you can’t find your dream job, you must create it, and that’s what I’m doing now.”
Emily has been invited to speak at a July meeting of the Rotary Club of San Marino and a NAMI ‘In Our Own Voice’ presentation in September at the Crowell Public Library.
Until then, you can find her at Recovery International support group meetings in Lacy Park on Monday evenings for her own self-care, and she will continue to advocate, organize events and connect with other mental health advocates around the world.
“I realized this is a global issue, and I am so glad I’m not alone,” she said.
Not at all. Just look for those brave folks adorned in lime green.
