Today we’d like to introduce you to Sidney Tindall.
Hi Sidney, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
January the 26th of 2011 was a day that changed my entire life but also brought me to where I am today. That day, I was pulled out of the fifth grade with the news no 11-year-old should ever have to hear… My father had taken the life of my step-mom and then took his own life. At my age, I was not quite sure what that all meant or what was going on. After a few years, I started to do my own research to figure out why or how could my father do what he had done. I was still angry and confused. That’s when I found out about mental health and how huge anxiety and depression is in our society. This created the path for me and my future. I figured out that I may never know how or why my father did what he did but that I can go and help prevent these things from happening to more people, educate others on mental health, save a life, and make a difference. I joined an advocacy and started spreading awareness through pageants and social media. I found people who would support me on this path in life no matter what. I never stopped trying to make a change and speak up on the importance of mental health. I lost a lot throughout my life but in the end, I will have gained so much more. If there is one thing that completes my story whenever the end comes, it’s that I have found purpose in my life and I hope you find your purpose too.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Is life really life without some struggles? Nothing in life will ever be easy. I have struggled a good bit but it’s those struggles that create me and make me stronger. I struggled with the loss of a father and stepmom, my house burning down, growing up not knowing what life would be like when I woke up, losing friends and family, and much more. Those things did not stop me from continuing on this road of life but just showed me that I can grow from them and become stronger.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an advocate for The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention where I spread awareness and prevention all around our world as best as I can. I do this to help those who are not ready to speak up on their own just quite yet.
I am a certified pharmacy technician because I like to learn about medicine so that those who are struggling with illness and need those medications can be more educated on what they are putting into their bodies.
I am also the student assistant for the Navarro College cheer team. I assist the team and coaches with whatever they need and try to help the student-athletes with balancing school and practice without becoming to overwhelmed.
What I believe really sets me apart from others is that I find something that I am truly passionate about and I never give up on it. Everything I work for and do in my life is so that I can help someone else out there. Even if it’s just a simple “you’ve got this” or a smile, I’m there. Mental health is a huge issue to me and I want everyone to know that it’s okay to hurt every now and then. Just like one of my favorite sayings, “without rain, we wouldn’t have rainbows”.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
The best way for anyone to help me is by simply helping others. Be there for one another, support each other, and stop breaking each other down. If you want to help me, then next time you run into a stranger, ask them how their day is going or tell them you are proud of them. The smallest act of kindness can go a long way. Just a simple smile could save someone’s life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: sidney_tindall10
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010111304888
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTdn9kMk7/
Image Credits
Jerry Hughs
Dawn King
