Florence Mukangenzi is a doctor in Rwanda who lives with mental health challenges, including anxiety. In 2017, back when she was a medical student, she wrote a beautiful essay for our site called "Playing Hide and Seek with a Demon: My Struggle with Anxiety." In 2019, she flew across oceans to join other women from around the world for a unique women's writers retreat in Cape May, New Jersey, where her bond with the staff and contributors at Recovery Diaries flourished. She returned to Rwanda empowered and inspired.
However, COVID soon hit and Florence's life and studies were upended; her mental health struggles continued and she remained committed to finishing her medical education so that she could become the general practitioner she is today, helping others in need in her own community; people living with immense struggles, with the perpetual scars from war-torn genocide, people who sometimes struggle with unhelpful and unhealthy views of mental illness.
In her interview with Recovery Diaries in Depth host Gabe Nathan, Flo talks about what is different about living with anxiety, particularly as a doctor, in Rwanda, but what is also similar to anybody else's experience living with mental health challenges anywhere else in the world. She also shares about ketamine treatment she has tried, which is so hard to access in her country. Flo is honest, charming, witty, and passionate about her career, her recovery, and her advocacy, and it shows in the thoughtful responses she gives to Gabe's questions.
We are delighted to share Flo with you, to introduce you to this inspiring human being, and to share her message of hope and strength.
Are you ready to discover more stories of mental health, empowerment and change? Check us out for more essays, films, and more podcast episodes featuring diverse voices from around the world.
Conversations like the ones on this podcast can sometimes be hard, but they're always necessary. If you or someone you know is struggling, please consider visiting www.wannatalkaboutit.com. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please call, text, or chat 988.
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