FLASHBACK TO ELIZABETH’S EXPERIENCE AS A PATIENT Back in high school, when most girls were looking forward to college, Elizabeth Tikoyan had to hold back that thought. She was diagnosed with Lyme Disease, which led to semi-paralysis, memory loss, speech impairment, and nerve damage. She spent her entire time in distress visiting doctors, hospitals, and treatment centers. She had to take 80 pills a day, weekly treatment, and surgery and put all of her hopes, dreams, and goals on hold. She was told she wouldn’t make it past 20 years old and would spend the rest of that life in a wheelchair. Refusing to settle for less, Elizabeth was determined to change the narrative. She started to look for a cure through the internet, asking people with the same condition for the best doctors, treatments, and practices and also through alternative means.
SHIFTING THE STIGMA “My goal with Healp is to create a world where mental health is not stigmatized, and people can get the help they need without fear of judgment or discrimination,” said Elizabeth, who is passionate about mental health, and believes that everyone deserves access to quality mental health care. According to the American Psychiatric Association, stigma, prejudice, and discrimination against people with mental illness are still very much a problem. The Healp App aims to shift the stigma by giving a voice to silent and struggling patients across the world.
“If you have good thoughts, they will shine on your face like sunbeams and you will always look and feel lovely”
— ROALD DAHL
236
237
Powered by FlippingBook