This Is Esmé, Layers of a Mask

Trigger Warning- this episode deals with depression and suicide. If you are struggling and need help, please call the suicide hotline at 800-273-8255. Esmé Spock is a married mother of one. She is an animal rescue advocate who loves makeup, painting and horror films. She is a vegan but confesses to horrible cooking skills. I have known Esmé for over a decade but had no idea the story she was living. Esmé confesses to wearing a mask for years as she went through the motions of living, especially when she was volunteering at her son's school. As a mother, her story of mental health resonates deeply. May is Mental Health Month and hosts Mother's Day, which I feel is no coincidence. Esmé's story underscores the space where mental health and mothering intertwine as she continues to peel off the layers of her mask.