Content Warning: This episode discusses sexual violence, racism, depression and anxiety.
As a kid, it made sense to Kris that she was adopted. She was the only person of color in her immediate family and the people of color she encountered in her community and school were very few and far between. Facing racism and the n-word early on also let her know that she was very different. Finally, during college, Kris learned the identity of the person who gave birth to her and put her up for adoption. The meeting was enlightening but expectations didn't match up as this person wanted to have a full relationship, have Kris meet people she said were Kris's relatives, and wanted to walk Kris down the aisle when she got married. No, said Kris. I have a mom and she's the person who raised me. Later, Kris had a falling out with her sister from her adopted family, who cut off contact. That was a heavy blow and although she now says it was the best thing that could have happened. All these experiences of who she was, being a person of color in an overwhelmingly white environment, and the separation with her sister have led to a profound depression and anxiety that she has to manage every day. That fragile mental health experience was exacerbated by recent ICE activity in Minnesota, where Kris lives, which has made it impossible for Kris to even go visit her mother. It's an enlightening conversation about complicated families and pasts and the impact of those on mental health.
In This Family is presented by Nexus Family Healing, a national nonprofit mental health organization that restores hope for thousands of children and families. Learn more and listen at NexusFamilyHealing.org/podcast.