From posting song on Youtube to winning a Dove Award, Jamie Grace shares what it was like to get her dream job at such a young age in the latest episode of the "Pure Joy" podcast. What really stuck with me from our conversation was her openness to share about her own mental health struggles. Jamie has been on a journey with journey with Tourette Syndrome (TS), along with ADHD, anxiety, and OCD, and continues to use her platform to offer hope.

3 things Jamie Grace Taught Me About Mental Health:

Mental Health comes in seasons.

Jamie shared that she came off of medication in her late teens and found other ways to manage her symptoms. However, once she was deep into her career she was back on the heaviest medication she had ever been on. She has such empathy for younger celebrities since she saw the pressure fame can create. Even now, she said her peak of fame in her early 20s was the hardest on her mental health and she is in a better place now. Our mental health is not a problem to be fixed but something to continually notice and take care of since each season can affect it differently.

It's ok to get help.

Jamie was willing to get back on medication when she needed it. She was quick to lean into her family and her support system when she struggled. There are so many resources but acknowledging our need for them is often the hardest step.

Own it.

When I asked Jamie what she was most proud of looking back over her career, she said the hope she has been able to share with families who get a new diagnosis for their kid. She helps those who are different feel seen and less alone. Her honesty about he diagnoses is why families can search tourette syndrome and find lots of videos of Jamie sharing her own hope filled story. When you keep your struggles to yourself, you are missing an opportunity to let God use your story to help others along the way.