Issue 18: Saryna - 2022 Royal International Miss Canada Finalist

Bachelor of Biology Student by day, Pageant Queen by night. This aspiring Paediatrician and Neontologist has a mission! With nearly 1% of the world’s population diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder this REAL Resilient choose the REAL WHY; to share her story of the trials and tribulations of someone living with Mental Illness.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a trauma induced Mental Illness, which is typically attributed to a traumatic event occurring throughout childhood and adolescents; and diagnosed in early adulthood. Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder typically experience intense emotions which may impact the way they perceive themselves and others. Some of the most common symptoms experienced by those with BPD are intense fear of abandonment, unstable relationships, shifting self-image, impulsivity, self-harm/suicidal ideation, extreme emotional swings, and chronic feeling of emptiness. BPD is typically a dual diagnosis, meaning many individuals diagnosed with BPD also are diagnosed with another form of mental illness, for example Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, or Sensory Processing Difficulties.

Generational stigmatization contributes to the willingness of those living with Mental Illness to disclose their experiences, individuals with diagnoses fear discrimination and societal biases. Growing up battling Mental Health and Mental Illness concerns, Saryna experienced this fear and choose to hide her experiences and diagnoses for years. After experiencing the societal stigmatization, Saryna found her breaking point when she had to seek support for her Mental Illness/Health. Today, as a strong resilient advocate, Saryna aims to support others experiencing the same situations as she did; to support these individuals through their hardship while providing them with the guidance from an individual who understands their tribulations.

When Saryna was 3 years old, a tragic event occurred in her life which contributed to the development of her Mental Illness today. After years of internal confusion and pain caused by her hardships, Saryna finally received her diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder in 2020. Since the discovery of her diagnosis her life has drastically improved. Saryna found that with this new information she was able to discover who she is, gain her voice, and even established her career path. Becoming a Pediatrician and Neonatologist, her dream career in which she finds having this discovery has helped her to push through to accomplish this goal and inspire others who also have this diagnosis.

Saryna aims to share her story with the world to create a safe space for others to share their stories; through establishing social media platforms in which encourage those of all ages to reach out anonymously to tell their stories to someone who has been through the same experience. The aim of her platform is to provide support to those experiencing Mental Illness and provide awareness regarding Borderline Personality Disorder.

Saryna chose the REAL Why to share her story publicly; through her experiences Saryna has embraced her Mental Illness and prides herself of her resilience. Saryna would like the REAL Why followers to know: if you did not face certain obstacles in your life, you would not have achieved resilience and milestones that you have or will. It is all about how you look at your obstacles in the eyes and persevere.