YOU ARE NOT ALONE - A companion online community discussion board for The Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast with Paul Gilmartin

The 29 year-old Vietnamese-Australian shares about being raised by his refugee, mentally-disabled (OCD & PTSD) single mother, experiencing racism, living in inner city poverty (Melbourne) and trying to be “Vietnamese enough” for the Vietnamese community.

- See more at: http://mentalpod.com/archives/4032#sthash.F6x3DDh4.dpuf

Really tried to feel empathy for T.T. and his story but strugglled to see the genuine mental problem apart from a huge chip on his shoulder. T.T. goes to extremes to undermine his genetics and origin, from praising his soft voice (aparently not vietnamese-like) to denying understanding Vietnamese as a child when this was the only language his mother spoke, while is sister was fluent. I don't buy it really... There is a reason why "mother tongue" is called that way...toddlers will always learn the language of the closest person raising them. Also loved the part when he says " I became friends with a white boy...actually all my friend are white" in a tone that made me cringe again. I can see why T.T. was not very popular amongst his Asian, unsuccessful, ugly, deep-voiced cousins ( I am being ironic of course).
I have to confess Paul that I have not enjoyed this episode. I had the feeling half of the story isn't accurate and its full of prejudice. I send TT some love and hope he can solve his identity issues, makes peace with who he is and learns to love his origins. It's a deep and painful journey, not something he can make up for with an exaggerated fake-sounding Australian accent. This interview could have been nice once that journey was complete perhaps but he does not even sound ready or mature enough to start it.. A little too early.
All the best to TT

His words at the end really spoke to me. Lately I have been going through a rough time with self esteem and being accepting of who I am. When he said you are enough, I started to tear up and realized how much I needed to hear that so thank you Tee-Tee for reminding us that we alone are enough.