We believe mental health is health, healing is possible, and no one in our community should suffer in silence.

Our story

Hi, my name is Soli Taye, and I was born in Ethiopia, where I lived until I was 9 years old. Growing up, I have had a dual experience–navigating both Ethiopian and American cultures while trying to understand where I fit in. I have been struggling with OCD my whole life; the symptoms worsened after moving to the United States. I struggled for 19 years before I finally decided to get help. I was officially diagnosed with OCD at the age of 19. Mental disorders are not something that is taken seriously in the Ethiopian community. Living with OCD has been grueling, especially with the added layer of feeling alone because it is not openly discussed in the Ethiopian community. In my time dealing with OCD, no one in my community was understanding about my struggles. Oftentimes, I would feel ostracized and extremely different. When I would struggle with very simple tasks that others deemed normal. I knew I was not “normal,” and talking about my disorder made me extremely uncomfortable and uneasy. It took a very long time to even begin the process of getting diagnosed. For a long time, I kept everything to myself and suffered. I wish I had the right support and resources to make me feel more understood when I was younger.